GombeChairman, Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has warned that insecurity and other problems in the North are capable of destabilising the entire country and spreading turmoil throughout West Africa.
The warning was given on Tuesday by the Chairman of NSGF who is also Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya while receiving members of the 19 Northern Governors’ Wives Forum, (NGWF) on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Gombe.
While shifting focus to national stability, the NSGF Chairman pointed out that Northern Nigeria’s size and population make it crucial for national peace.
The Governor also highlighted the threats posed by drug and narcotic abuse, illegal arms possession, and the specific security challenges faced by different states which include insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, and ethno-religious crises.
He then urged leaders at all levels and stakeholders to confront these challenges head-on.
The Gombe Governor noted the important role the Governors’ spouses can play in uplifting the lives of the people especially in the areas of women empowerment and fostering good governance, assuring them of his support in that regard.
He stressed that “As Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, I assure you of my support and that of other Governors, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Through Mr. President’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, we are reviving hope and encouraging collaboration for a better Nigeria.”
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He then advocated for intensified efforts in education, healthcare, and human capital development through entrepreneurship and skill acquisition in advancing the living standards and prosperity of the Northern region.
He acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the Northern region which have hindered its progress, stressing the importance of collaboration between NSGF and NGWF in overcoming these challenges.
Inuwa Yahaya expressed specific concern on the alarming rate of out-of-school children in the North and its negative impact on socio-economic development.
According to him, “It is unfortunate that our region has the highest rate of out-of-school children. Our people are yet to embrace the global development agenda.”
He also lamented the situation which needs urgent and decisive action, emphasizing the critical role of education in fostering the needed change.
Inuwa Yahaya added that “Nothing happens without education; no development occurs without it. Education brings development, changes the tide, and improves lives.”
“It even helps feed people through modernization and allows us to understand the dictates of our religion.”, he noted.
Earlier speaking, Gombe States First Lady, Hajiya Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya who doubled as the Chairperson of the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum said that the Governor’s Wives were in Gombe for their quarterly meeting in their efforts to complement their husbands in promoting socio-economic development in their respective states and the northern region in general.
Asma’u Yahaya explained that their engagement in Gombe will focus on women empowerment, drug and substance abuse and menace of out-of school-children which are among major issues stunting development in the region.
She commended the support they get from the Northern Governors’ under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya as contained in a statement by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, ( Press Affairs)
Government House, Gombe.
