By Mustapha Saye
The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has called on leaders across Northern Nigeria to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action to address insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment in the region.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya made the call on Monday while delivering a goodwill message at the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The meeting brought together governors, traditional rulers, security chiefs, and representatives of the Federal Government to deliberate on the theme, “Peace, Unity and Development of Northern Nigeria.”
Describing the security situation in the North as unprecedented and deeply troubling, the NSGF Chairman said banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes, and communal conflicts have become major threats to the region’s unity and prosperity.
“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development,” he stated.
The Governor attributed the worsening insecurity to decades of socio-economic neglect, noting that widespread poverty, unemployment, and poor educational outcomes have created fertile ground for criminal activities and violent extremism.
To address these challenges, Governor Inuwa Yahaya advocated comprehensive reforms, including the establishment of state police, increased investment in education and skills development, job creation, agricultural revitalization, and stronger support for security agencies.
He stressed that Northern leaders could no longer afford inaction in the face of escalating insecurity.
“Enough of meetings that do not produce results. Enough of communiqués that are not implemented. Enough of promises that are not followed by action,” he declared.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar at the hands of bandits, describing the incident as a stark reminder that insecurity affects everyone.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.
The Governor further charged traditional rulers to strengthen community vigilance and intelligence gathering, describing them as indispensable partners in peacebuilding and security management.
In his remarks, the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, highlighted the numerous challenges facing Northern Nigeria, including insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, climate-related pressures, drug abuse, and farmer-herder conflicts.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, commended the commitment of Northern governors to addressing the region’s challenges and urged citizens to continue supporting their leaders in promoting peace, unity, and development.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among governments, traditional institutions, and security agencies to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development across Northern Nigeria.
