Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has called on northern leaders to move beyond rhetoric and adopt coordinated measures to tackle insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment across the region.
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.”
The NSGF chairman described the security situation in the North as unprecedented and deeply troubling, noting that banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes and communal conflicts had become major threats to the region’s stability and development.
“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development,” he said.
According to him, decades of socio-economic neglect, widespread poverty, youth unemployment and poor educational outcomes have contributed significantly to the worsening insecurity across the region.
Yahaya said millions of people in Northern Nigeria live in multidimensional poverty, while a large proportion of the country’s out-of-school children are concentrated in the region.
He noted that poverty, illiteracy and unemployment had created a fertile ground for criminal groups and violent extremists to recruit vulnerable youths.
To address the challenges, the governor advocated the establishment of state police, increased investment in education and skills development, job creation, agricultural revitalisation and enhanced support for security agencies.
He stressed that northern leaders could no longer afford silence or delays in implementing decisions aimed at addressing the region’s challenges.
“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.
The governor also expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly killed by bandits.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.
Yahaya urged traditional rulers to strengthen community vigilance and intelligence gathering, describing them as critical partners in peacebuilding and security management.
“You are not just ceremonial figures; you are essential partners in security, unity and development,” he told the royal fathers.
In his remarks, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State highlighted insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, climate pressures, drug abuse, farmer-herder conflicts and declining social values as some of the major challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.
He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to tackle insecurity through intensified military operations, improved intelligence coordination and collaboration with state governments.
Namadi also cited the Northwest Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina as a positive step toward strengthening regional cooperation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating crime and maintaining public safety.
He described the Northern Traditional Rulers Council as a vital institution and stressed that the stability of Northern Nigeria remained crucial to national stability.
“We must sustain collaboration to confront emerging security threats on all fronts,” he said.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended the Northern Traditional Rulers Council for its role in peacebuilding and community mobilisation.
He said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to address both the immediate and underlying causes of insecurity through interventions in agriculture, education, economic empowerment and social inclusion.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, praised the participation of northern governors in efforts to address the region’s challenges.
He urged citizens to continue supporting and praying for their leaders, noting that leadership is a sacred trust that requires collective backing to succeed.
The Sultan also called for introspection among leaders and citizens alike, urging all stakeholders to work together in finding lasting solutions to the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
