By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the northern region to take responsibility for its rapidly growing population, asserting that the best interests of the North will be served by Northerners themselves. This position was articulated in a communiqué issued after the Forum’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday.
The communiqué, signed by Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, outlined the resolutions of the meeting, which was attended by delegates from various states in the region as well as the Diaspora Chapter. The meeting, presided over by NEC Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, OFR, reviewed ACF’s activities since its last meeting in May 2024 and discussed the current state of the North and the nation.
The communiqué emphasized the resurgence of the ACF as the leading socio-cultural organization aiming to unify the diverse peoples of the North under a common vision. The Chairman urged members to remain focused on advancing the collective interests of the Arewa people, setting aside religious and ethnic differences in favor of unity and cooperation with state governors.
Key issues discussed during the meeting included the worsening security situation in the region, which continues to undermine government authority. The communiqué stressed that insecurity remains the North’s most pressing challenge, with government assurances of doing their best being deemed insufficient. The ACF reaffirmed that the primary duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and failure to do so is a failure of governance.
The ACF also expressed concern over leadership selection in the region, noting that incompetent and inexperienced individuals have often risen to positions of power. It called for reforms to ensure that capable leaders are chosen based on merit, not personality.
Education, both secular and religious, was another focal point. The region’s high number of out-of-school children was highlighted, with the ACF urging that more be done to address the education crisis, as it is believed to be directly linked to many of the region’s socio-economic problems.
The economic challenges facing the North were also discussed. The ACF criticized the current administration’s economic policies, which it believes have exacerbated poverty and unemployment in the region. It noted that many Northerners are economically disadvantaged, with livelihoods dependent on micro-activities. The region is also experiencing severe food insecurity, and youth unemployment is rampant. The communiqué called on the Federal Government to review its economic policies to ensure they better address the region’s pressing needs.
Further recommendations included the need for Northern governors to adopt a coordinated approach to policy planning, especially in areas such as security, education, agricultural production, health services, and skills acquisition. The ACF also urged the Federal Government to be receptive to criticisms and suggestions, as this would improve the policy-making process.
The communiqué concluded with a call for Northern elites to take responsibility for the region’s development and to counter negative stereotypes about the North. It also called for urgent action to address poor electricity supply, which continues to hamper efforts to reduce poverty and underdevelopment in the region.
Signed:
Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba
National Publicity Secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)
