Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has stressed the importance of unity, peace and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians anywhere they find themselves across the country.
The Governor was speaking at the occasion of a community engagement meeting organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) on the issue of security in the region held in Bauchi on Friday.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Bauchi Government House, Dr Aminu Hassan Gamawa, the Governor said, “That is the intention of discussing the current situation in the country, particularly as it affects the Northern part of the country.
“Here in Bauchi, we thank God, we don’t have, any serious security situation or threat. That is due to the fact that we have a robust security framework that is bottom to up where all the community leaders from the Grassroots are responding to emergency situations.
“And internally, it is in all manner and working with our conventional security, particularly the Military, the Police, the DSS, the Civil Defense and even the Road Safety Corps. So we have, I believe, a multi-dimensional approach to the issue.
“Of course, more importantly, now the issue of food security as a result of flooding, and as a result of so many environmental factors, may likely bring hunger in some areas and communities, what we are doing here in Bauchi, we are preparing for that.
“The government is investing massively in agriculture. And we are working with the business Community, and the community leaders to ensure that there is not only physical security, but also food security, investment in the state and beyond.”
Speaking at the meeting, the National Coordinator of the CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanci, said the meeting in Bauchi was a follow up on what the coalition had earlier done in Abuja where so many issues that have been bedeviling the region were discussed.
He said that CNG is committed to unavailing and leading a robust societal value reorientation, devoid of blames, accremonies, finger pointing.
Jamilu Charanci who noted that the Coalition of Northern Groups is into the business of building bridges and synergy to proffer solutions to the problems of the region, expressed believe that Community participation is a corner stone to effective governance and sustainable development.
“We equally believe that empowered communities are key to prosperous future, that is why we are here to call on all the stakeholders to unite, let us believe in ourselves, let us accept our challenges, confront them and alter them for a better tomorrow”, he said.
The group further pointed out that, in unity, the stakeholders can create a thriving Northern Nigeria that the citizens are all yearning for.
“We believe that it is through community development that we can overcome the challenges facing this country or this region today, we believe that it is through community participation, through community collaboration, through community contributions that in Sha Allahhu we will have a safe Northern Nigeria that we can be proud of, the Northern Nigeria that we cherish to have, the Northern Nigeria that we have before,” he reiterated.
According to Charanci, the next line of action is to put on ground a committee that will be responsible for putting eyes on issues that are bedeviling the people living in Bauchi state in particular, like it did in Katsina state.
Charanci who explained that the committee will comprise of people from the various organizations in the North to put eyes on what is happening in Bauchi in order to offer solution to problems.
“They can offer solution, where security intervention for instance is required, they will alert the security personnel for quick intervention, where they need government intervention they will alert the government for quick intervention and where they can alert our national Secretariat they can do that, so that we can do the needful,” he stressed.
He expressed delight that the stakeholders at the meeting unanimously agreed that it is only through collaboration with all other people in the society that tangible result can be achieved.
“It is no more time for blame game, it is no more time for pointing fingers to each other, it is time for solution driven approach, and that solution driven approach is through Community driven solutions,” he added.
Charanci emphasised the need for unity among the people, saying that the region will bounce back to greatness, when united.
Earlier in his welcome address, Bauchi State Coordinator of CNG, Hashimu Bala Hashim explained that the important community engagement was on the aftermath of post-national protest in Northern Nigeria and the need for finding a lasting solutions to the numerous challenges as a community.
According to him, “This gathering represents a crucial opportunity for us to reflect on our current socio-political landscape and strategize on how we can foster community engagement to address the pressing issues facing our dear state and the region.
“As we convey here today, we must acknowledge the myriad challenges that have beset Northern Nigeria, ranging from economic, security and social imbalance. The recent national protests have highlighted not only the grievances of our people but also their resilience and determination for change. It is imperative that we understand these dynamics as we move forward.”
Hashim stressed that the protests were not merely reactions to specific events; they were manifestations of deeper societal issues—issues that require the collective attention and action stating that,”Our goal today is to dissect these challenges and explore pathways for constructive engagement within our communities.”
He further stressed that Community engagement is not just a buzzword; it is a vital process through which citizens can influence decision-making and contribute to societal development pointing out that, “In Northern Nigeria, where traditional structures often dictate social interactions, fostering an inclusive dialogue among community members can lead to more effective governance and sustainable development.
“We must recognise that every voice matters. Engaging with local leaders, youth groups, women’s organizations, and civil society will empower us to create solutions tailored to our unique contexts. By working together, we can build trust within our communities and ensure that everyone has a stake in shaping their future.
“To achieve meaningful community engagement, we need to adopt several strategies: Education and Awareness: We must prioritize educating our communities about their rights and responsibilities. Knowledge empowers individuals to participate actively in governance processes.”
On Dialogue Platforms, he stressed establishing fora where community members can express their concerns openly will facilitate better understanding between citizens and policymakers as well as Partnering with NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations can enhance our capacity to implement programs aimed at community development.
On utilising technology he stated that in this digital age, leveraging technology can help us reach wider audiences and engage younger generations who are increasingly becoming disillusioned with traditional forms of activism just as it is essential that we establish mechanisms for monitoring the outcomes of our engagements so that we can learn from successes as well as failures.
“In conclusion, I urge each one of you present here today to take this engagement as a call to action. Let us commit ourselves not only to discussing the state of our nation but also to taking tangible steps towards fostering community engagement in Bauchi State as well as the Northern Nigeria. Together, we have the power to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and unity,” he concluded.
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