Gombe State governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF),
Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, has said that the north is worst hit by the current economic and security challenges.
Speaking while declaring opened joint meeting of the NSGF and the Northern Traditional Council on Monday at the Government House, Kaduna, Yahaya said the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians today is undeniable.
“We must continue to work with the Federal Government and relevant agencies to provide the necessary support and relief to those affected”, he said.
According to him, the collective resolve of governors is being tested by the ongoing challenges facing the North.
Yahaya said, “As we gather today, our collective resolve is being tested by the ongoing challenges that we face.
“These include but not limited to terrorism, banditry, kidnap-for-ransom, farmer-herder clashes, drug abuse, the menace of Almajiri and out-of-school children, poverty and unemployment.
The NSGF Chairman said , “The recent “End Bad Governance” protests that took place in August serve as a wake-up call for all northern leaders.
“Youth restiveness is a growing concern, driven by illiteracy, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities.
“Our young people are calling out for change, and it is our responsibility to listen and act.
“We must scale up efforts to tackle the root causes of youth restiveness by investing in education, skills development, and job creation.
“Let us focus on creating pathways for the youth to channel their energy into productive ventures, thereby reducing their vulnerability to crime and social vices.
“The economic hardship faced by many Nigerians today is undeniable, and considering the North-South disparity in economic inequality, it is even more pronounced in northern Nigeria.
“This calls for urgent intervention. It is essential that we, as leaders, adopt measures to alleviate the suffering, such as targeted social welfare programs, support for small and medium enterprises, and policies that attract investment to our states.
“At the same time, we must work with the Federal Government to ensure that fiscal policies are sensitive to the realities of the day.
“As we speak today, most of our Northern states are in darkness due to vandalization of electricity transmission infrastructure.
“This not only underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, but also the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify our energy supply so as to better connect our region and improve our energy resilience.”
The governor noted that the north holds immense agricultural potential, which, if fully harnessed, can significantly alleviate hunger and boost economic growth.
He said to achieve this, adequate support must be provided our farmers, including access to financing, modern farming techniques, and infrastructure such as roads, improved security and irrigation systems
“Agriculture should not only be seen as a means to feed our people but also as a catalyst for industrialization and job creation across the region.
“That can be achieved through re-industrialisation of the North especially by reviving the textile value chain and development of other agro-allied industries.
“We must adopt policies that promote environmental conservation, sustainable agricultural practices, and responsible resource management.
