By Umar Salam.
The Governors of the 19 northern states in Nigeria under the aegis of Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) held their first meeting for the year in Kaduna yesterday to proffer solutions to the incessant killings and kidnappings plaguing the region, among other pertinent issues of interest affecting the northern part of the country.
The meeting was presided over by the Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, and witnessed extensive deliberations on the nature of the insecurity challenges troubling the region and the possible ways of dealing with it.
In his address, Governor Shettima disclosed that the northern governors will soon meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in order to exchange ideas on how best to tackle the various security challenges in the region.
He said: “The Northern States Governors’ Forum convened a meeting to deliberate on the major issues affecting the northern states and the nation at large, particularly the current challenges of insecurity which seems to be deteriorating, despite concerted efforts by the federal and state governments.
“The Forum deliberated extensively on the nature of insecurity currently bedeviling the region and various ways and means of dealing with the situation.”
He further hinted that the Forum set up a committee headed by the Katsina State Governor Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari to develop an acton plan towards addressing the security challenges.
“In order to tackle the challenges holistically in an all-encompassing manner, the Forum set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Governor of Katsina State, Alh. Aminu Bello Masari, to develop inter-alia comprehensive regional plan of action that could bring lasting solutions to the lingering crises.
“The committee, as part of its mandate, would seek audience with Mr. President and make adequate presentation to him on the true nature of the security challenges.
“It would also make suggestion based on thorough and insightful analysis and assessment of the situation on the best possible way the Federal Government can resolve the incessant problems.”
The Northern States Governors’ Forum elected the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong as its new Chairman with effect from 29th May, 2019.
Northern Nigeria has faced torrid times with enormous security and socio-political challenges, ranging from insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, herders/farmers clashes, poverty and high illiteracy level.