By AUSTINE TSENZUGHUL, Bauchi –
In civilized climes, nations with common interests are known to have came together as a bloc to explore ways and means to protect and expand their interests. This is exemplified by the formation of European Union (EU), Organization of African Union (OAU) now African Union (A. U.), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), among others globally.
Back home in Nigeria, southern states where Nigeria’s (black gold).crude oil is sourced, have being enjoying 13% derivation benefits from the crude oil more than others via this formation.
It is therefore not surprising that six states carved out of defunct Northeastern state, recently birthed Ministry of Regional Integration. The Governors of the Northeast states at their Forum’s 9th meeting recently, at Yola, Adamawa State capital, saw reason for such creation and did not hesitate to do so. The governors’ conference known as North East Governors’.Forum, (NEGF) has openly re-affirmed its commitment to foster common ground and pursue collective matters of security, social, and economic integration of the region.
Northeast, commonly referred to in political circles as Northeast Geopolitical Zone, is embattled, ravaged and has being under the dangerous siege and grip of insecurity caused by Boko Haram insurgency since 2009. The states are still in the vice of banditry, kidnappers, child traffickers, cattle rustlers, farmers and herders’ clashes. It is common knowledge that insecurity anywhere is a stopper to all human progress and the Northeast Zone is not an exception.
It is in this regard that the governors settled for a Ministry of Regional Integration (MRI) with other forms of protocol embedded in the Ministry to fast-track the desired mission of liberating the Zone from a very regrettable under-development humanly and materially.
The Ministry, among other activities is to liaise with Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) and other development partners over several issues of interest to the region. The states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe..And their Governors are Ahmed Umar Fintiri, Sen. Bala Mohammed, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Alh.Inuwa Bello, Keffas Agbu,and Mai Mala Buni respectively. Besides Bauchi and Gombe states, that have inter-state boundaries, Borno, and Yobe share international boundary with Niger Republic, while Adamawa and Taraba states share boundaries ties with Republic of Cameroon. Thus, making it imperative for the zone to have a strong united common front, that is not limited to security and socio-economic doings.
The insurgency has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people and damaged personal properties and public infrastructures worth billions of naira.in each state. The insecurity painfully has denied children of school age valuable education for years. It is to be noted that the severe insecurity in a region with so many similarities, such as religious beliefs, culture and traditions, weather and even topography and agricultural practices, certainly needs a coordinating instrument that will coordinate, harmonize and serve as a pivot for solution to the myriad of issues militating against its being.
Faced with global and domestic socio-economic quagmire occasioned by general and specific insecurity, the Northeast Zone for a long has been impoverished more than expected in the current digital world. This therefore, calls for a strong and a deliberately purposeful organization and leadership with the heart of a lion to handle the region’s mountains of challenges with unwavering sustainable zeal.
But let us pause for a while. Today’s Nigerian politicians (most) want to make a name for themselves so as continuously remain relevant by pursuing their own created agenda, even if it is not useful to the majority of the electorate, instead of adopting their predecessors. .In this regard, will there be anyone to ensure continuity from where the present crop of forward looking progressive governors have started and stopped? It is on record that.in Bauchi State, an earth dam started by the late President Shehu Shagari administration in 1980s, has since been abandoned, though, the dam was for the good of at least 5 states with an estimated population of over 20 million people. The Ministry is domiciled in each state, but, at the time of this write up, there is no State House of Assembly in any of the 6 states. A law backing the governors ‘move should propel members to pursue matters with greater zeal.
Among growing problems confronting the region is the climate change and environmental degradation, as issues affecting the states. Regional Integration will therefore strengthen and embolden its partnership with initiatives such as Great Green Wall, and Global Initiative of Carbon Credit Financing.
Collectively, the states have agreed to pursue economic and social development, and urged each member to actively participate in the Bauchi International Trade 2024. The trade fair is to showcase and attract investors in tourism,mineral exploration, agriculture and other economic opportunities that abound in the region.
On educational front, member states said: “Yes” to domesticating Education Law 2022 as recommended by Northeast Education Council as strategic regional integration tool.
Security, though, seems to be improving, members need more collaboration to design a new security architecture and have a common security roadmap, while synergizing with other national security agencies.
As a regional body, a robust platform for regional economic development should be emplaced for human capital and socio-economic development of its people.
The Forum bitterly noted with concern, the poor infrastructural base of the region, especially the Federal roads within, that are aiding insecurity, halting development and making life more difficult for people in the Northeast.
While imploring its development partner, the North East Development Commission (NEDC), the Forum expressed need for NEDC to work with the states and Federal Ministry of Works to expedite better action on the poor road network challenges.
Similarly, the governors agreed to partner with Shanghai Electric to put in place 60 megawatts Coal powered and 50 megawatts of solar powered plants in each state of the Northeast to drive socio-economic activities that will as well reduce security problems. But frowned at the poor rail system in the region that is not repaired and not being considered for digitalization, charging Federal Ministry of Transport to expedite action on their call.
While it is worthy to commend the present governors of these states for their initiatives and foresight, they can further also put in place necessary legal frame work as a legacy for probable continuity, given positive potentials of such Union that may outlive the protagonists of this noble initiatives.
It surely can not be an exaggeration to say that the creation of Ministry of Regional Integration has come as a game changer. It has came at a time when the federal government, its agents and foreign partners have started exploration of crude oil to the delight of the region. The Ministry will also take care of internal affairs of the zone appropriately, while also serving as chief bargainer and a liaison front for the states,with reflection on their needs and wants.
This new creation is not only to be hailed, but,to be celebrated as one among many legacies the Forum will bequeath on individuals, states,and Nigeria. It is also noteworthy to highly appreciate such initiator(s). For generations to come shall hail them and uphold such initiatives saying “the labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain”.
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