NORTHERN ELDERS SEEK SOLUTION TO REGION’S INSECURITY
By Borderless Media
Former Secretary To the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed
Elders in the North are worried about the lingering insecurity in the region. They are looking beyond what the government is doing to look for way out of it. No fewer than 100 elders from the region are expected at a meeting in Abuja tomorrow to brain-storm on the situation.
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Yayale Ahmed is the convener, it was learnt at the weekend. It was learnt that the leaders want alternatives to what the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has offered since 2015.
It was gathered that the late former Super Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Joda, subscribed to the idea before his passage on Friday. Some of the initiators of the parley include, a former presidential candidate, Alhaji Bashir Tofa ex-Governor Sule Lamido; and a former Minister of State for Defence, Lawal Batagarawa.
Others are a former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri; a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Aliyu Modibbo; Lawrence Mbale from Adamawa State among others. Five representatives from each of the 19 states in the region are expected.
A notice to selected leaders, signed by Yayale, titled “Northern Nigeria: Current issues of serious concern,” reads: “You are not unaware of the various challenges facing the entire North for quite some time.
“Moved by the seriousness of these challenges, which seem to be increasingly of great concern, a group of eminent and committed people of Northern extraction has taken the initiative to bring like-minds together.
“Knowing your concern on the same issues, I believe you will find it convenient to interact with this expanded group. “Because of the confidence I have in you, I entertain no hesitation in inviting you to join the group. It is therefore my pleasure to invite you to attend this extra-ordinary meeting.”
Yayale said the session would hold at the International Conference Centre.
The notice added: “Please, endeavor to attend as such efforts, benefitting from your experience and wisdom, might be the foundation of articulating suitable solutions to the myriads of challenges facing the entire North. While counting on your support, I look forward to receiving you on the stated date.”
A top source, who has been part of the coordination of the meeting, , said: “The general perception of the leaders in the North is that Buhari’s security strategies have failed contrary to their expectations in 2015 when they mobilised the North for change of the government.
“They believe that there could be new methods of ending terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security problems in the North.“Some of those involved in planning the meeting had offered suggestions to the present administration in the past but the recommendations were either neglected or not considered good enough.
“Among other options they are looking at is how to address basic problems which have accounted for the setback for peace and unity in the North. These include problems associated with poor access to education, unemployment, small arms acquisition, failure of homes and leadership crisis at the grassroots.”
