*Urges heavily investment on youth skills acquisition, others
By Achadu Gabriel, kaduna
Following increased in security challenges despite efforts, Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has hosted Northern Traditional Rulers Council for its 7th Executive Committee Meeting on Tuesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The meeting aims to tackle the rising insecurity plaguing Northern Nigeria.
The meeting, with the theme, “Enhanced Security As A Panacea For Stability and Development of the North”, was declared open by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.
In his remarks earlier, Governor Zulum highlighted security and peacebuilding, agriculture and youth empowerment as the critical pillars of sustainable development in the northern region.
The Governor also called on all stakeholders to focus on providing opportunities for the youth in northern Nigeria, according to statement signed by his media aide Abdurraman Bundi.
He said, “Our youth population is large, energetic and eager to contribute, but many are without opportunities. This vacuum is dangerous. We must invest heavily in skills acquisition, vocational education, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship”.
“Empowered youths are not only less vulnerable to crime or radicalization, invest heavily in skills acquisitisation, they become active agents of development”, he said.
Governor Zulum also stressed that agriculture had remained the economic lifeline for the north, hence a deliberate effort is needed to enhance farming activities across the region.
“With vast arable land and a population well-versed in farming, agriculture is our greatest opportunity. However, insecurity has displaced farmers and halted rural productivity.
“We must secure our farmlands and support modern agricultural practices to restore livelihoods and reduce dependency. In Borno, we are expanding access to inputs, mechanised farming and irrigation despite the challenges, and the results are promising,” Zulum said.
He added that, “On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State, I assure you of our commitment to peace, justice and shared progress. Together, with faith and determination, we will rebuild the north physically, socially and economically.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, explained that the meeting in Borno was to strengthen unity among states in the north and to deliberate on the situation in the region to support the political leadership in addressing series of problems across the north.
The National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police were all represented.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Gombe, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his Deputy, Manassah Daniel Jatau, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai, among many other Emirs across the 19 states of the northern region. END
