The Northern Governors’ Forum, NGF, has highlighted that Northern Nigeria has the highest burden of out-of-school children in the world, which it says is detrimental to the development of the region.
The chairman of the forum, Yahaya Inuwa, made this statement during the Northern Governors’ Forum meeting in Kaduna State, in Northwest Nigeria.
During the inaugural meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum on December 15, 2023, the forum discussed issues related to insecurity, the environment, and education, among others, that are hindering the socio-economic development of Nigeria’s northern region.
This second meeting offers the governors an opportunity to assess their progress and challenges in the fight against banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping and to devise new strategies for a final push against threats to development.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani reiterated his call for northern governors to develop a common strategy to tackle insecurity in the region.
The Chairman of the NGF, Governor Yahaya Inuwa of Gombe State, expressed sympathy and support for the people of Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, and Plateau States, who are facing severe security challenges.
He pointed out that economic development is key to addressing insecurity in northern Nigeria, noting that the region must invest in critical infrastructure and education, to unlock its full potential.
The meeting, which later went behind closed doors, emphasised the need to adopt a holistic approach, to promote environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and responsible resource management, to safeguard the livelihoods of the people, and preserve the region’s natural heritage.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
