News Investigators/ Northern governors have re-launched the Northern States Governors’ Forum, reaffirming their commitment to regional unity, security and sustainable development.
The governors on Wednesday inaugurated the Forum’s temporary secretariat in Kaduna, ending years of operating from facilities provided by the Kaduna State Government.
Chairman of the Forum and Gombe state Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, said the North must revive regional cooperation to tackle common challenges.
Mr Yahaya said the region had remained dormant for years, leading to the decline of institutions established during the regional government era.
He cited the Northern Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and Arewa Hotels as examples of institutions requiring renewed attention.
According to him, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello achieved remarkable progress because the North was united under a common vision and purposeful leadership.
Mr Yahaya said political differences and multiple state administrations had weakened relationships among Northern states over the years.
He cited recurring farmers-herders conflicts across several Northern and North-Central states as evidence that regional challenges were interconnected.
The governor said poverty, hunger and disease affected all communities, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
He said the region’s estimated population of 165 million, with about 70 per cent youths, required coordinated planning and development.
Mr Yahaya described the joint meeting of governors and traditional rulers as the beginning of efforts to restore security and stability.
He stressed that security remained the foundation for development and economic prosperity across the region.
The chairman called for greater collaboration in addressing insecurity, education, healthcare, industrialisation and out-of-school children.
He urged Northern states to pool resources and pursue shared development goals through stronger regional partnerships.
Mr Yahaya also called on leaders and citizens to emulate the commitment and vision of the region’s founding leaders.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris commended Mr Yahaya’s leadership and reaffirmed the governors’ commitment to addressing regional challenges collectively.
Mr Idris described the inauguration of the secretariat as a significant milestone after decades without a dedicated office for the Forum.
He said committees had already been constituted to implement decisions reached at the governors’ meeting.
The Forum’s pioneer Director General, Dr Ezekiel Gomos, said the renovated two block secretariat reflected the governors’ commitment to regional development.
Gomos said the facility, rehabilitated in partnership with NNDC, would coordinate programmes and activities of the Forum.
He thanked the governors for their support and pledged effective implementation of the Forum’s objectives.
In his closing remarks, Yahaya disclosed that plans were underway to construct a permanent secretariat for the Forum.
He urged Northerners to support the initiative, stressing that lasting solutions to insecurity required collective leadership and commitment.
Yahaya said insecurity had continued to affect farming, education, healthcare and livelihoods across the region.
NAN
