The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has stated that the North “cannot be a sleeping giant,” as it declared a giant investment and industrialization summit to resuscitate the economy of the region, harness its huge resources, and tackle insecurity and unemployment.
Speaking on Tuesday on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, NEF spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jiddere, stated that the region could no longer ignore its economic problems or depend entirely on others for growth.
“North has done a lot for Nigeria since the days of the colonizers, even in politics,” Jiddere stated. “But something went awry insecurity, bad investments, and the falling apart of industries, particularly textile and manufacturing. That has led to unemployment and wider socio-economic challenges. The North cannot continue like this; we cannot remain sleeping giants.”
He stated the summit would bring together the 19 northern governors, foreign and local investors, and other stakeholders to redefine the trajectory of growth.
Jiddere pointed out that Northern Nigeria remains one of the most endowed regions in the country, but its potential has not been optimized.
“Northern Nigeria is privileged enough to be developed at an early stage. We are globally recognized for agriculture and human resources, but we are underestimating the potential of over 160 million able youths,” he said. “We have identified 44 undiscovered resources in the North lithium, oil, gas, and gold which could be exploited to restore the region’s glory.”
Also in his tone, NEF Deputy Director-General Dr Salisu Mohammed emphasized the necessity of regional and inter-regional collaboration in order to ignite industrial renaissance.
“Exchanges between the North and South are already on. For instance, the Lagos-Kebbi coalition gave rise to Lake Rice, and Gombe and Rivers states are also working together. Taraba State has convinced investors to start a new airline. The time is now to revive our industries,” Mohammed said.
The plan, the forum says, will concentrate on reviving agriculture, raising manufacturing investments, and developing the solid minerals sector, as well as addressing insecurity as a prime hindrance to growth.
