Gombe State Governor Advocates Comprehensive Strategy for Northern Security
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, addressed a crucial roundtable on the multidimensional approach to tackling insecurity in Northern Nigeria. Acknowledging the pressing security challenges, Governor Yahaya emphasized the need for united and comprehensive efforts to reverse the current trend.
Governor Yahaya proposed a 4D strategy: Development, Defence, Dialogue, and Diplomacy. Development involves addressing the root causes of underdevelopment in Northern Nigeria, focusing on poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and environmental degradation. Defence requires strengthening security agencies through investments in manpower, training, equipment, and intelligence capabilities.
Dialogue is crucial for fostering trust and accountability among diverse communities. Governor Yahaya highlighted the importance of working with civil society groups, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to promote understanding. Diplomacy involves collaborating with neighboring countries to address challenges posed by porous borders, including trafficking of weapons and drugs.
Governor Yahaya also emphasized the need to combat drug abuse, which contributes to insecurity. He urged collective action to prevent youth from becoming a socioeconomic threat, emphasizing the importance of tackling this menace for future stability and cohesion.
The roundtable, organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups, brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders to brainstorm lasting solutions. Governor Yahaya urged participants to turn discussions into actionable steps, contributing to a safer and more prosperous Northern Nigeria.
In conclusion, Governor Yahaya expressed gratitude to the organizers for bringing together experts and stakeholders. He called for tangible contributions to ensure the implementation of solutions discussed, fostering a more secure and prosperous future for the region.