By Hussaini Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Thursday joined other northern governors in strengthening regional cooperation as the Northern Governors’ Forum inaugurated its temporary secretariat in Kaduna.
Yusuf was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, at the event, which brought together governors from the 19 northern states and other stakeholders to mark the beginning of a formal administrative structure for the forum.
The inauguration is part of efforts by the governors to establish a stronger platform for coordinating policies and addressing challenges affecting Northern Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, described the opening of the temporary secretariat as the “full take-off” of the forum after years of commitment.
Yahaya said the formal registration of the forum and the establishment of the secretariat demonstrated the determination of northern states to build a stronger regional institution.
“We must start from somewhere, and we must aim high,” he said.
The Gombe governor disclosed that plans for a permanent headquarters of the forum had reached an advanced stage, adding that the foundation for the facility would soon be laid.
He said the permanent secretariat would provide a platform for coordinating the activities of the forum, promoting peer review among governors and strengthening collaboration on issues affecting the region.
“The platform enables us to coordinate our operations and move together as one people so that we are not left behind in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Yahaya stated.
He noted that insecurity, poverty, hunger and disease remained major challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, stressing that improved security was critical to achieving meaningful development.
“Without security, there will be no development,” he said, adding that insecurity had prevented many farmers from accessing their farmlands and posed a threat to food production.
Yahaya urged northern leaders to sustain unity and cooperation through the forum, saying challenges affecting one state had consequences for the entire region.
He also disclosed that vehicles and other resources unveiled during the inauguration were provided through contributions from member states, describing the gesture as a demonstration of collective commitment to the success of the forum.
Speaking on behalf of northern governors, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said the establishment of the secretariat would enable the forum’s staff to operate effectively and improve coordination among member states.
“With the inauguration of this office, the Forum’s staff will now have a functional workspace, enabling them to effectively discharge their responsibilities and strengthen the coordination of our collective activities,” Idris said.
He described the development as an achievement for the region, urging northern leaders to work together to promote peace, unity and development.
“We have no other territory to call our own apart from Northern Nigeria, and it is our shared responsibility to work together in promoting its peace, unity and development,” he added.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Mr Ezekiel Gomes, assured members that the secretariat would be managed professionally and efficiently.
He expressed appreciation to the governors for the confidence placed in him and his team to oversee the operations of the forum.
The Northern Governors’ Forum was established to provide a common platform for governors of the 19 northern states to collaborate on security, economic development and other regional issues.
