The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a passionate plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to take decisive steps to address the escalating challenges of insecurity, poor education, and economic hardship in Northern Nigeria.
This call to action came in a communique released after the ACF’s National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna, highlighting the dire state of affairs in the region.
The ACF lamented the deteriorating security situation, with alarming levels of banditry, terrorism, and kidnappings wreaking havoc across the North.
“The North is under siege from various threats, including bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers. The people of Arewa cannot continue living under such threats,” the communique stated.
ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN) emphasized the urgency of collective action, noting that the frequency of attacks has left communities in fear and despair.
The forum expressed deep concern over the state of education in Northern Nigeria, particularly the staggering number of out-of-school children.
“Arewa accounts for an overwhelming proportion of out-of-school children in the country. This is a glaring indicator of the region’s educational crisis,” the ACF stressed, urging immediate reforms in the education sector to secure the future of its youth.
The ACF also criticized the current economic policies of the Federal Government, arguing that they have worsened the already dire conditions in the region.
“Economic reforms should not impoverish the people they are meant to serve. The current policies lack sensitivity to the precarious conditions faced by the Arewa people,” said ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba.
The forum called on President Tinubu to reassess these policies and adopt a more humane approach to governance, emphasizing the need to alleviate poverty and unemployment.
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The forum outlined key recommendations for addressing the region’s challenges:
1. Security: The Federal Government must prioritize safeguarding lives and property, as failure to do so is unacceptable.
2. Education: Northern governors must adopt a coordinated approach to improve the region’s education system and reduce the number of out-of-school children.
3. Agriculture: Boosting agricultural production is essential to combating food insecurity and poverty.
4. Energy: Urgent measures are needed to improve electricity supply, which is critical for economic development.
5. Population Control: Public policies should address the region’s fast-growing population to ensure sustainable development.
The ACF also urged the Federal Government to be open to constructive criticism and suggestions, stating that such feedback is essential for democratic governance and effective policymaking.
The forum called on northern elites to take responsibility for changing negative narratives about the region and championing community service initiatives.
“The interests of the North will be best served by northerners who are committed to the region’s progress,” the ACF asserted.
“The challenges we face—banditry, terrorism, kidnappings, and systemic injustices—demand collective action,” Osuman said. “We must unite to overcome these obstacles.” The statement concludes.
