Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), has expressed fear over what its described as unsustainable agricultural practices and population growth in the northern region.
This is just as the Forum resolved to adopt holistic approach that promote environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture and responsible resource management to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people in the region.
This contained in the forum’s 12 points communique issued after its meeting in Kaduna on Tuesday.
In the communique, the forum also resolved to preserve the national heritage of generations yet unborn, and to accordingly resolved
to invest in critical infrastructure that are capable of unlocking the huge industrial and economic potentials of the North.
While also in the communique, the forum commended the Federal Government for its show of commitment to winning the war against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
On the issue of Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), the Forum assured the AGILE and World Bank Teams of their sustain support and requested them to FastTrack the process of upscaling the programme.
According to the Communique, “the Forum received a presentation from Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and World Bank Team. The Forum noted achievements in areas of system strengthening, project management, infrastructure and structure emplaced and challenges as regards project implementation and expected areas of support. The Forum assured the AGILE and World Bank Teams of their sustain support and requested them to FastTrack the process of upscaling the programme.”
Meanwhile, during the meeting, the governors received reports from various technical committees on the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) and the World Bank team.
Other committees include the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Coalition of Northern Group (CNG).
While also expressed concern over the security challenges currently affecting the people of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara states.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Kaduna state governor, Sen. Uba Sani addmitted that the disturbing development indices in Northern Nigeria requires a collective and sustained effort.
“We need to fashion a Marshall Plan for the development of Northern Nigeria. Let us pull resources together to develop our Road, Rail, Solid minerals and Energy Infrastructure. Agriculture is another key area we can pull resources together to reinvent the economy of Northern Nigeria,” Governor Sani said.
In his opening speech, the Chairman of the forum and governor of Gombe state, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, while harping on security, he explained that security remains top on the agenda of the forum.
“During our last meeting, we reaffirmed our willingness to work with the Federal Government in order to provide lasting solutions to the security challenges bedevilling our region.
“Since then, we have had various engagements with the National Security Adviser, service chiefs, coalition of northern civil society groups, and other relevant stakeholders on charting a way forward for sustainable peace and stability in northern Nigeria.
“As the nation continues to deliberate on the issue of state police, it is important that we begin to explore state policing models that are built on the foundation of cooperation and collaboration amongst our northern states,” governor Yahaya explained.