IBRAHEEM MUHAMMAD
The 19 northern state governors under the aegis of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), met in Kaduna on Monday, to strategise on the prevailing insecurity situation, the tottering economy, and other burning national issues.
The meeting was held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, in Kaduna.
In a welcome address, the host, and governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, disclosed that the meeting, which had in attendance, governors from the North, as well as traditional rulers from the zone, was convened with a view to seeking solutions to the challenges confronting the North.
The Kaduna State governor explained further that, the meeting was convened in order to tap from the wealth of experience of the governors and traditional rulers, towards finding solutions to the challenges of economic development of the region, insecurity, as well as emerging national issues especially the debate over the Value Added Tax (VAT).
While hoping for fruitful deliberations during the session, El-Rufai said the meeting was convened by the Chairman of the NGF and governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, with a view to charting the way forward for the North.
In his speech, NGF Chairman, Lalong, said the meeting was convened to discuss the peace, progress, and development of the North and its people, as well as the country at large.
He explained that participants at the meeting are expected to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the challenges of economic development of the region, insecurity with particular reference to banditry, kidnapping and insurgency.
According to the NGF chairman, the meeting will also deliberate on emerging national issues that may have an impact on the north, especially the ongoing debate on the VAT, with a view to arriving at solutions that will protect the interest of the North.
The Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad (retd), also attended the meeting.