Northern Leaders Rally Against Insecurity, Poverty Crisis

Northern Nigeria’s governors and traditional rulers convened in Kaduna to forge a united front against surging insecurity and socioeconomic woes, with Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, NSGF Chairman, declaring survival must trump politics. Hosted by Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, the high-stakes summit addressed recent kidnappings in states like Kebbi, Niger, and Sokoto, plus Boko Haram resurgence in Borno and Yobe, framing threats as existential. Yahaya praised President Tinubu’s role in freeing some schoolchildren captives while mourning victims across faiths and urging rejection of divisive rhetoric. ​

Security and Unity Imperative

Yahaya warned terrorists target schools and farms to erode the future, insisting no governance thrives without peace, and called for societal roles: traditional rulers as mediators, religious leaders promoting tolerance, politicians fostering development, security forces acting proactively, judiciary delivering swift justice, and citizens aiding vigilance. The forum renewed demands for state policing, backing Tinubu’s push for National Assembly action on constitutional changes. Attendees, including all 19 northern governors and council chairs, eyed a communique for short- and long-term strategies like border surveillance and local initiatives. ​

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Tackling Out-of-School Children Crisis

Millions of northern children idle on streets, a “stain on our collective conscience,” Yahaya stated, linking it to poverty, illiteracy, climate impacts, and poor infrastructure fueling unrest. Leaders vowed action beyond words to enroll every child and skill youth for productivity, amid school closures from recent abductions displacing thousands, especially girls. The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, endorsed the forum’s drive, pledging traditional support for cohesion and welfare while advocating regular governor-ruler dialogues. ​

Host’s Vision and Regional Stakes

Uba Sani hailed the North’s pivotal juncture, crediting governors’ consultative tradition for potential breakthroughs in peace and growth via joint efforts. The gathering signals resolve amid banditry, abductions exceeding 300 students recently, and stalled education, with experts noting widened learning gaps. Outcomes could redefine regional stability, judged by lasting security over projects.