The former Governor of the State of Sokoto, Attahiru Bafarawa, has indicated that Nigeria's future depends on the stability of the north and warned that, unless the challenges faced by the region are addressed, it would affect the other regions over time.
He announced to the presentation of a new sociocultural group of the North, 'Cohesion Initiative Arewa', formed by the former governor and other interested parties in the Arewa House, Kaduna, Thursday
In a main speech, Bafarawa, a former presidential candidate and head of PDP who recently resigned of active politics, warned that insecurity, unemployment, economic exclusion and youth frustration have led the region to the edge.
“These problems,” he said, “they were not isolated since they threaten the peace and the general unity of Nigeria.
“The north has been proven by persistent insecurity, economic difficulties and the deepening of social fragmentation. But let's be clear: the consequences of this crisis are not limited to our region. They shudder throughout the country. The future of Nigeria is inseparable from the peace and progress of the north.”
To this end, he said that the new group was born from a deep reflection and a constructive dialogue between leaders and grassroots communities, saying: “We are committed to a practical action, not an empty rhetoric.
He said that the initiative is always ready to adopt all ethnic nationalities in the region, regardless of any feeling, saying: “Members are free to align with any political party of their election, emphasizing that the forum will support any member to defend their objectives while in a position of authority.
The former governor said that the main objectives and objectives of the forum are to pursue the collective interest of the entire north and its various people.
Bafarawa also said that they have an articulated plan to update their objectives, with a deep reflection on the northern potentials, stating that whoever seeks the elective position must be ready to tell us what he has for the region and we will tell him what we want.
He said they are optimistic that a new north of Nigeria is underway.
The president of the occasion, General John Temlong RTD said that the new initiative represents the collective interest of the north that refuses to be defined by innumerable challenges, but for their ability to overcome them.
He said that the initiative incorporates timeless values ​​that have always defined the north as a monolithic region.
He accused the leadership and membership that they carry the burden and hopes and aspirations of millions of north, while indicating that the forum marks the beginning of a trip that will be remembered as a turning point for lasting peace and sustainable development.
Previously in his comments, the general director of the movement, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, said that Arewa's cohesion is not created by isolation, but as a result of extensive reflection, dialogue and a robust commitment between communities and divides.
He pointed out that due to a simple but powerful conviction that the challenges faced by the region can only be addressed through a genuine collaboration, mutual understanding and a common agenda for peace, unity and development.
Idris said that the formation of the forum is a timely and strategic effort that seeks to promote dialogue where there is silence, as well as rebuild eroded trust and create opportunities where there is none.
Read too Main stories OF Nigerian tribe