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Insecurity: Northern Governors, Security Chiefs, Traditional Rulers Meet In Kaduna
.. Benue Gov absent
Governors of the nineteen Northern States, Traditional Rulers, and Security Chiefs are meeting in Kaduna today to discuss the alarming rise in security threats and other socioeconomic problems in the region.
The meeting which is taking place at the Kaduna state government house comes barely two weeks after governors of the Northwest zone held a similar meeting with the service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser to discuss ways to address the issue of banditry and kidnapping bedeviling the zone.
Among the governors attending today’s meeting are those of Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kano, Katsina, Plateau, as well as the deputy Governors of Bauchi, Kogi, Zamfara, Benue, and Niger states.
Also in attendance is the Chief of Staff to the president, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, the Inspector General of Police, the Minister of Information and Culture, and the Director-General State Security Services.
Others are traditional Rulers led by the sultan of Sokoto and representatives of the Northern Elders Forum.
In their opening remarks, the host Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and the Chairman of the forum, Simon Lalong said the meeting is long overdue and crucial for the progress of the north and the country in general.
While El-Rufai urges his colleagues to adopt strategies to forestall all forms of security challenges in the north, Governor Lalong regrets the attacks and killings menacing the region, noting that it is the responsibility of governors and other leaders to find lasting solutions to the problem.
He also describes the recent kidnap of school children in Government Science Secondary School Kagara, Niger State as well as travelling passengers as a wake-up call for leaders and also as a sad reminder of the difficult situation the north is facing.
On the issue of herder-farmer clashes which has in recent weeks generated serious concerns because of the harsh rhetoric from various parts of the country, Lalong agrees that open grazing is no longer sustainable for obvious reasons, hence, he also says that the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) also keyed into the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) is a veritable option that will go a long way in ending the clashes through organised ranching.
The northern governors also appealed to their colleagues in other parts of the country and all citizens particularly opinion leaders to be cautious in their utterances and actions, warning that such unguided utterances could provide the oxygen for the exploitation of the nation’s fault lines to the detriment of the entire country.
During the meeting, the leaders are expected to take a hard and critical look at the conflicts and come up with implementable ways and means of addressing them squarely
February 25, 2021
Northern Governors Condemn Kidnap Of Students In Niger State
The Northern State’s Governors Forum says it is distressed and saddened by the spate of attacks and abductions particularly the reported abduction of some students, staff and families of the Government Science School, Kagara in Niger State by suspected bandits.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement condemned the abduction of the students, describing it as a heinous crime and another sad day in the history of the nation.
Lalong said this was another calculated attempt to further deprive the State and the northern region the chance to overcome illiteracy and poverty which is endemic due to the lack of education and other associated opportunities.
He said “We totally condemn the abduction of the school children who did nothing wrong than go to school to seek education. This is a sad and reprehensible act that must not be tolerated whatever the motive of the criminals. It is an act that further compounds the efforts to enroll more children into schools particularly in the Northern region where illiteracy is very high and enrolment is gradually appreciating after sustained efforts by Government and development partners.”
Governor Lalong said the quick action taken by security forces to ensure the safe return of the abductees is reassuring as he sympathized with the parents and families of the victims, urging them not to lose hope even as they go through this traumatic period. He asked Nigerians to rally round the distraught families and support the security forces with useful information that will ensure that those behind this unfortunate development are apprehended and brought to book.
He said the Northern Governors will collectively work in solidarity with their colleague Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to not only ensure that this present situation is resolves swiftly, but bring to an end this unacceptable spate of banditry and destruction of lives and properties that is affecting the State, other parts of the region and the nation at large.
February 17, 2021
Northern Governors Rejoice With Governor El-Rufai @ 61
The Northern Governors Forum has fellicitated with Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad elrufai on the occasion of his 61st birthday.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a message described Governor El-rufai as resourceful, patriotic and passionate leader who is committed to the development of not only Kaduna State, the Northern Region, but Nigeria as a whole.
Lalong said the Governor has remained consistent in his advocacy and action for a paradigm shift to adopting practical approach to sustainable and people- oriented change. This he said could be seen from the many assignments he has handled at various times including his present stewardship of Kaduna State.
Governor Lalong described Mallam Elrufai’s contributions to the Northern Governors Forum as impactful as he has also played a significant role in the implementation of various programmes of the forum aimed at improving the lives of the people of the region.
While wishing him many more years of God’s guidance and divine protection, the Northern Governors Forum Chairman also commended Governor Elrufai for providing the right environment for the Forum to operate seamlessly at its Headquarters located in Kaduna.
Lalong assured the Governor that the Northern Governors Forum will continue to benefit from his reservoir of knowledge and experience in finding solutions to the many challenges of the region and the nation at large.
February 16, 2021
Northern Governors, Seyi Makinde Visit Shasha Market
Some northern governors alongside Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Tuesday visited Shasha Market in Ibadan the state capital to assess the destruction at the scene of the clash between Yoruba and Hausa communities.
The governors include Abdulahi Ganduje of Kano State; Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara and Abubakar Sanni of Niger States.
They were accompanied by security agents as they went round the market to assess the level of damage done.
The delegation later went into consultations with the Seriki Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin after which they would also visit the Baale of Shasha to appeal to both sides to stop hostilities and forge a more formidable bond for peaceful coexistence.
The delegation had earlier came into Ibadan on Monday night to visit the area where violence raged last Friday leading to the destruction of lives and property.
February 16, 2021
Northern Governors Mourn Late Prince Tony Momoh
The Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with the people of Auchi Kingdom, Government and people of Edo State and the Nigerian media industry over the demise of Prince Tony Momoh who passed on at the age of 81.
In a statement, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the death of Prince Tony Momoh is a great loss to the nation considering the impact he made in various aspects of Nigeria’s polity.
Lalong said Prince Momoh was a man of many parts who started as a teacher before making his mark as one of Nigeria’s versatile journalist, administrator, politician and lawyer.
He said the former Minister of Information and Culture was a giant in the Nigerian Media industry and played a great role in promoting freedom of the press as well as the opening up the media space which eventually culminated in deregulation that saw the emergence of many media outlets.
Governor Lalong also described him as a political strategist and mobiliser who at various times coalesced with politicians from across the country to push for improvement in the political process and governance in general.
His emergence as the Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the role he played in the subsequent formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) according to the Governor accords him a special place in Nigerian’s political history.
Lalong also commended his leadership and achievements as Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, University of Jos where he led a leap in the academic performance and general development of the institution which is now a leading University in Nigeria and Africa.
While praying God to grant his soul eternal rest, Governor Lalong asked his family to be consoled with his testimony of honesty, hardwork and patriotism.
February 2, 2021
Northern Govs agrees to accept COVID-19 vaccine first
Governors of the northern part of the country under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) have unanimously agreed to take the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine when it finally arrives in the country for mass inoculation against the deadly virus.
This was made known on Thursday at a webinar on the safety and efficacy of vaccines organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) by the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.
Lalong who was represented by the Secretary to the Plateau State Government (SSG), Professor Danladi Atu, said: “we the Northern Governors have agreed to take the first doses of the vaccines”.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Engineer Abubakar Gambo Umar, said that the seminar was organised to sensitise the general public and provide answers to all the issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccines.
A team of medical experts also gave their opinions about the COVID-19 vaccines, its efficacy and safety in the wake of the outbreak of the second wave of the pandemic which has claimed many lives.
January 29, 2021
Northern Governors Forum Mourn Mai Tangale/ Former Milad, Kontagora
The Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with the Government and people of Gombe State over the death of the fifteenth Mai Tangle, Dr. Abdu Buba Maisheru II.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a message condolenced the people of Tangale Kingdom over the sudden death of the Paramount ruler which he described as a monumental loss to the nation.
Lalong said the first class ruler was very instrumental to the development of his Chiefdom and Gombe State and also played a great role in the promotion of peace and unity in the State.
He said “as the Chairman of the Northern Christian Traditonal Rulers, late Dr. Masheru was a man of faith who advocated for godliness and championed inter-faith dialogue towards advocating for harmony in the north and the nation as a whole. The value he placed on education saw his subjects acquiring knowledge and contributing to Gombe State and the nation in various capacities”.
Similarly, the Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with the family of Col. Aminu Isa Kontagora, former Military Administrator of Benue and Kano States who died recently.
Governor Simon Lalong on behalf of the Forum described the death of the former military officer as a great loss to the nation.
He said the deceased contributed immensely to the development of the States he administered, the Nigerian Army and the country as a whole. Even in retirement, he continued to serve his community and the nation in various ways.
While urging members of his family to accept his demise as the will of God, he asked them to find solace in the good works of the deceased who lived a life of sacrifice and dedication for the betterment of humanity.
January 14, 2021
Northern Governors Celebrate Senate President, Ahmad Lawan At 62
The Northern Governors Forum has rejoiced with President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, on his 62nd birthday.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a congratulatory message described Senator Lawan as an erudite legislator and scholar who has brought his experience to bear on the Nigerian parliament.
Lalong said since stepping into the National Assembly, Senator Lawan has remained consistent in pursuing the enactment of quality legislations and conduct of robust oversight that have gone a long way to strengthen the nation’s democracy.
He commended Senator Lawan for galvanising his colleagues at the 9th Senate and the National Assembly as a whole towards supporting the Buhari Administration in fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.
Lalong also described the Senate President as a worthy partner in the development of the Northern Region, assuring him that the Northern Governors Forum will continue to work with him in addressing the challenges of the region.
He wished Senator Lawan God’s guidance, wisdom, protection, and good health.
January 11, 2021
Northern Governors Felicitate With President Buhari At 78
The Northern Governors Forum has joined other Nigerians and the family of President Muhammadu Buhari to celebrate with him as he marks his 78th birthday.
In a congratulatory message issued by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong, the Forum said it rejoices with the President on another occasion of his birthday and wishes him many more years of good health, joy and God’s protection.
Lalong said members of the Forum have continued to enjoy the support of the President in serving the nation as well as meeting the aspirations of their people.
He noted that the President’s undeniable commitment to the transformation of Nigeria through the various change initiatives has yielded positive results in various sectors including critical infrastructure, anti-corruption, agriculture, human capital development among others.
The Governor assured the President that the Forum will continue to give him all the necessary support and encouragement to enable him carry out his vision of building a more prosperous, peaceful and self-sufficient country.
He also called for more prayers for the President as he deals with the many challenges facing the nation.
December 17, 2020
Northern Governors Condemn Attack On Katsina School
The Northern Governors Forum is enraged over Saturday’s attack by bandits on Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State.
Chairman the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement said the Governors totally condemn the unfortunate incident which is regrettable and intolerable.
While expressing solidarity with their colleague Governor Aminu Bello Masari, the Government and people of Katsina State, the Northern Governors said they stand with the authorities as they do everything possible to respond to the situation and ensure that no student gets missing or harmed.
Governor Lalong said they remain solidly behind security agencies who responded appropriately and have been in pursuit of the bandits to ensure that normalcy is restored and the criminals are apprehended.
He also said the Forum appreciates the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the security forces to deploy every available resource needed to deal with the situation.
Lalong said the prayers of the Forum are with the families of the students, the school authorities and the injured, even as he called on the citizens to volunteer useful information to the security agencies and relevant Government bodies that will assist in quick resolution of the sad incident.
December 12, 2020