By: Mas’ud Mayo Garo
The Northern States Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (Emirs and Chiefs), on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to tackling insecurity and promoting sustainable development across Northern Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya stated this while presenting the communiqué issued at the end of their joint meeting held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna State Government House.
The meeting endorsed the establishment of State Police and inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund as part of the measures to strengthen security coordination and support ongoing efforts to address security challenges in the region.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and former Chief of Defence Staff General Martin Luther Agwai were appointed Co-Chairmen of the Board of Trustees.
The Forum also resolved that the 19 Northern states Government would contribute one billion naira monthly to support the Security Trust Fund and enhance efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities militating the region.
Governor of Kano Alhaji Abba Kabir yusuf was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo who joined other Governors, Traditional Rulers and stakeholders in discussing measures aimed at restoring peace and accelerating development of Northern Nigeria.
Earlier, the host Governor, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar called on people in the region to continue supporting and cooperating with security agencies in discharging their duties and described Security issues as a collective effort that need everybody support not Government alone.
Members of the board of Trustees were selected from the nineteen Northern States base on their trade records in the nation building.
Lurwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, Public Relation Officer, Deputy Governor’s Office Kano State.
