By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Governors from the 19 northern states led by the forum’s chairman, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe among others, on Friday, converged in Kaduna for their inaugural meeting since the change of leadership in May, 2023.
Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, attended the meeting.
Other governors at the meeting were those of Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Benue and Plateau states while Governors of Nasarawa, Yobe, Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Kebbi, Jigawa and Kano states were represented by their deputies.
The northern governors among other issues deliberated on the recent bombing at Tudun Biri in Kaduna where they announced the donation of N180m to the victims.
The governors led by the Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, were at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, where they sympathised with the injured victims and their families.
The governors released a nine (9) point communique signed by the governor of Gombe State, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya.
Below is a full text of the communique:
1. The Forum commiserated with the government and people of Kaduna State over the unfortunate bombing incident at Tudun Biri Community of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State during which some members of the community lost their lives and properties while others who sustained various degrees of injuries are currently receiving treatment in various Hospitals. The Forum prayed for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives and for a speedy recovery of the injured. The Forum prayed for God to grant families of the deceased fortitude to bear the loss. They appreciated Kaduna State and the Federal Governments for the way and manner they handled the unfortunate incidence so far.
2. The Forum resolved to work collectively to ensure that the tragic incidence is thoroughly investigated with a view to compensating victims and taking corrective measures to prevent future occurrence.
3. The Forum resolved to vigorously pursue the collective interest of the North in areas of enhanced security, peaceful coexistence, economic development, youth employment, drug abuse and revitalisation of education at all levels.
4. The Forum commended the Federal Government for the renewed vigour in the fight against insecurity, menace of kidnapping, banditry, communal clashes and terrorism bedevilling the region. The Forum resolved to stand united in its commitment to addressing those challenges through enhanced collaboration with security agencies, strengthening local law enforcement, community engagement, adoption of modern technology and administrative reforms, as well as addressing the root causes of insecurity such as poverty, unemployment and deepening social inequality.
5. The Forum also resolved to address the environmental challenges affecting Northern Nigeria which is threatening rural livelihood, pushing farmers into conflict with herders and adding to the general level of poverty and insecurity.
6. The Forum further resolved to collectively fast-track regional integration through investment in infrastructure, human capital development, trade, commerce, agriculture, environment, digital economy and cultural exchanges.
7. The Forum received a briefing on the activities of the New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC) by the Group Managing Director and accordingly constituted a committee to review the report of the earlier committee on NNDC operations with a view to repositioning the company for greater productivity and profitability.
8. The Forum collectively resolved to support Kaduna State Government and victims of the unfortunate incidence of bombing at Tudun Biri Community, Igabi Local Government Area by donating the sum of One Hundred and Eighty Million Naira (N180,000,000.00) only to the victims.
9. The next meeting of the Forum would be held on 2nd March, 2024.
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