Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has emphasized the urgent need for collective action to tackle the pressing challenges of insecurity and underdevelopment in Northern Nigeria. He stressed the importance of overcoming ethno-religious and political differences to foster visionary leadership and sustainable development across the region.
The governor made these remarks while receiving the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), led by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu (Wazirin Dutse), at the Government House, Gombe.
Harnessing the North’s Potential for Growth
Governor Yahaya, who also chairs the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), reaffirmed the commitment of Northern political leaders to promoting unity, social cohesion, and economic development. He noted that, despite the region’s vast human and natural resources, it continues to face stagnation and underdevelopment a situation that must be urgently addressed.
He acknowledged the complexities of governing the North due to its diverse demographics and political landscape but emphasized that the region’s historical unity remains strong.
“We still see ourselves as one people because the bonds of unity built over time, from the colonial era through the days of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, remain unshaken. No one can dismantle what has been nurtured for generations overnight. We are working tirelessly to ensure we do not fail you and the entire North,” he stated.
Despite global economic challenges, he assured that Northern leaders are committed to implementing robust policies that will drive progress and prosperity.
Support for Arewa Consultative Forum & Regional Development Initiatives
Governor Yahaya pledged the support of Northern Governors for the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in its activities, including its 25th-anniversary preparations. He also addressed the issue of tax reform, highlighting the importance of periodic legal reviews to reflect economic realities and ensure that Northern states can compete equitably with other regions.
ACF Seeks Stronger Political Backing
Earlier, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, said the delegation visited to brief the governor as Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum on the ACF’s activities and plans for revitalization. ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osman, called for sustained political support and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing development commissions for the North-West and North-Central regions, emphasizing their potential to accelerate economic progress.
He also acknowledged the Northern Governors’ Forum’s efforts in revitalizing the New Nigeria Development Company Limited (NNDC), stressing that the newly created federal commissions provide unique platforms to restore the North’s economic and political influence.
