On Monday, October 28, 19 Northern Governors and traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, gathered at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna. They came together to talk about important issues facing the Northern region.
At the start of the meeting, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who also leads the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), expressed that the ongoing challenges are testing their determination.
He said, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I address this combined meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council. This gathering represents the two supreme institutions charged with the political and moral responsibility to transform the social and economic landscape of northern Nigeria.”
He extended his sympathy to those affected by recent floods in Maiduguri and a tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State. “We stand in solidarity with them during these difficult times,” he added. “We must continue to work with the Federal Government and relevant agencies to provide the necessary support and relief to those affected.”
Governor Yahaya mentioned various challenges the North is facing, such as terrorism, banditry, and poverty. “However, our unity and commitment to the prosperity of the people remain our greatest source of strength,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of security, noting recent successes against criminals. “We must sustain these gains to ensure lasting peace and stability,” he explained. They will also review the recommendations from the Coalition of Northern Group’s Security Committee to improve safety in the region.
Governor Yahaya pointed out that the recent “End Bad Governance” protests in August highlighted the need for change. “Youth restiveness is a growing concern,” he noted. “We must scale up efforts to tackle the root causes of youth restiveness by investing in education, skills development, and job creation.”
He addressed the economic hardships in Northern Nigeria and emphasized the need for urgent action. “It is essential that we adopt measures to alleviate suffering, such as social welfare programs and support for small businesses,” he said.
Another important topic was the power outages affecting many states. “Most of our Northern states are in darkness due to the vandalization of electricity infrastructure,” he explained. “We need to build more transmission lines and improve our energy supply.”
Governor Yahaya also talked about the agricultural potential of the North. “To achieve this, we must provide adequate support to our farmers,” he stated. “Agriculture should not only be seen as a means to feed our people but also as a catalyst for job creation.”
He mentioned the importance of protecting the environment, especially after recent floods. “We must adopt policies that promote environmental conservation and sustainable practices,” he urged.
As the meeting continued, the governor encouraged everyone to work together for a better future. “We must deepen our cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, education, and trade,” he said.
Governor Yahaya concluded by thanking the host governor, H.E. Senator Uba Sani, and all participants for their commitment to progress. “The people of Northern Nigeria are counting on us,” he said, “and with unity, determination, and bold actions, I am confident that we can fulfill our mandate for a brighter future.”
The meeting is ongoing, and a report will be shared with journalists once it concludes
