Critic Lampoons Northern Govs Over US Trip, Parlous State Of Region

Communique Issued At The End Of The Meeting Held In Kaduna

Ayuba Sanusi

A social critic has taken the 19 governors from the Northern region of Nigeria to the cleaners following their reported trip to the United States of America for a security meeting.

Yahaya Moh’d Usman in a statement made available to Eighteen-Eleven Media questions the rationale behind the three-week trip to the United States.

“Northern governors went to the United States of America for security meeting for three weeks, came back to Nigeria to hold another meeting in Kaduna, then issued a communique signed by Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, whose state the people are crying for portable water amid pervasive blackout while he is building a N14 billion Governor’s Lodge.

“In the communique they issued after their Kaduna meeting not even a mention was made of their US trip and what their states they used its resources stand to gain. Nothing!

“The Forum expressed sympathy with Katsina, Plateau, Niger and Kaduna over insecurity, Do they need a meeting to do that?”

While noting that the Northern governors also said they are worried about the number of out-of-school children in the region, Yahaya Moh’d Usman observed that the same governors spent hundreds of millions to travel to the US, wondering “Couldn’t that money be useful for a better thing?”

According to him, “The only semblance of good news coming from the meeting is that they “Noted the expected role of New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) on the revitalization of the economy of the Northern states”. Good as it may sound to the ears, what does that mean? Would it be wrong to recapitalize it to build roads, across the zone, develop agricultural programmes and also intervene in education?

“What didn’t they talk about Baro Port in Niger State, Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi, factories in Kano and Kaduna? What about independent power plants?

“The lowest of the news is that they dedicated two paragraphs in commending their leadership. For what? For merely holding meetings?

“What is the difference between this Forum and the Aluta student union meetings?

“Northern governors must sit up and get serious. The country cannot wait for us”, he stressed.

COMMUNIQUE OF THE MEETING OF THE NORTHERN STATES GOVERNORS’ FORUM HELD ON TUESDAY, 30TH APRIL, 2024 AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, SIR KASHIM IBRAHIM HOUSE, KADUNA

1. The Northern States Governors’ Forum under the leadership of His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON held its first meeting for the year 2024 today Tuesday, 30th April, 2024 at the Council Chamber, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The Forum commended the Federal Government under the dynamic, focused and courageous leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR which has demonstrated total commitment to winning the war against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
The Forum expressed the deepest sympathy and collective support to the governments and people of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara states over the unprecedented security challenges currently affecting the states and resolved to stand in solidarity with them during these difficult times.
The Forum noted that Human Capital Development is critical to the progress and prosperity of the region and expressed concern that the region currently bears the burden of having the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. The Forum committed itself to investing massively in education and skill development, health care and social services in order to address the menace.
The Forum received the report of a committee to review the Report of the Technical Committee on the New Nigeria Development Company. The Forum resolved that members should study the report for consideration at the next meeting of the Forum.
The Forum noted the expected role of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) in the revitalization of the economy of the Northern states. The Forum accordingly resolved to invest in critical infrastructure that are capable of unlocking the huge industrial and economic potentials of the North.
The Forum noted that climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices and population growth posed significant challenges to the region. The Forum resolved to adopt a holistic approach that promotes environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture and responsible resource management to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people and preserve the national heritage of generations yet unborn.
The Forum received a presentation from the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and the World Bank Team. The Forum noted achievements in areas of system strengthening, project management, infrastructure and structure emplaced and challenges as regards project implementation and expected areas of support. The Forum assured the AGILE and World Bank Teams of their sustained support and requested them to fast-track the process of upscaling the programme.
The Forum received on courtesy call from the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). The Forum noted the resolve of the Board of Trustees to harmonise activities of various interest groups as well as voices, speaking and acting on behalf of the region. The Forum further resolved to support and encourages the Board of Trustees toward the realisation of the objectives of the founding fathers of the Arewa Consultative Forum.
The Forum also received a report from the Coalition of Northern Group on the security in Northern Nigeria. The Forum commended the group for its commitment to the security of the Northern region and pledged to work together with the group.
The Forum commended its own leadership for engaging with the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs, Coalition of Northern Civil Society Groups and other relevant stakeholders in charting a way forward for sustainable peace and stability in the North.
The Forum commended the Chairman of the Forum for his inspirational leadership and commitment towards advancing the interests of the North. The Forum also commended the host governor for his sustained effort in hosting the meetings of the Forum.
The Forum resolved to hold its next meeting on…, 2024.