Outcome of northern govs, traditional rulers’ meeting emerges

The outcome of an emergency meeting comprising the members of the Northern Governors’ Forum and traditional rulers on Wednesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna have emerged.

The Northern leaders reaffirmed their commitment to tackling insecurity through stronger regional collaboration and support for federal security efforts.

They reviewed the region’s worsening security situation.

The details were contained in a communique signed by Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The meeting focused on practical and sustainable measures to address insecurity after consultations with key security stakeholders across Northern Nigeria.

The forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising security and reaffirmed support for ongoing federal efforts to restore peace nationwide.

It pledged to strengthen intelligence sharing, build community resilience and develop a lasting framework for regional security and economic prosperity.

The forum stressed that Northern Nigeria’s security crisis requires urgent, coordinated and decisive actions to reverse growing threats across the region.

It welcomed progress toward establishing state police and praised the President and National Assembly for advancing the required constitutional amendments.

The forum expressed confidence that well trained, equipped and supported state police would significantly improve efforts to combat insecurity nationwide.

It also expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund.

The forum urged the trustees to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, fairness, independence and accountability in advancing the fund’s objectives.

Members commended states redeeming commitments to contribute N1 billion monthly to the Security Trust Fund to strengthen regional security operations.

The forum urged all member states to honour their financial pledges promptly and consistently to sustain the initiative.

It also called on traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to support the Board in delivering its mandate.

The forum resolved to tackle poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and out-of-school children, identified as major drivers of insecurity across the region.

It emphasised sustained investments in education, agriculture, livelihoods, youth empowerment and skills development alongside ongoing security operations.

The forum urged governments and security agencies to protect farmers during the rainy season against insecurity and communal conflicts.

It also pledged closer collaboration with traditional institutions, local governments and community leaders to promote peaceful coexistence and modernise agriculture.

The forum further agreed to extend regional collaboration to education, agriculture and healthcare through a unified development framework.

It said the framework would promote innovation, resource sharing and coordinated interventions to achieve lasting development across Northern Nigeria.

The meeting adjourned with members agreeing to reconvene on a date to be communicated later.