The joint meeting of the Northern States Governor’s Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council has ended in Kaduna.
The meeting deliberated on critical issues of common interest impacting both the region and the nation, after which a communique was issued at the of the meeting.
In the Communique, signed by the Chairman Northern Governor’s forum and Governor of Gombe state,Alh Muhammadu inuwa Yahaya the meeting commended Royal Fathers for their steadfast commitment to the unity, security, stability and development of the region. It said that at this pivotal juncture in our history, we recognise that only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us. Accordingly, we reaffirm our resolve to confront these challenges with firmness and clarity in order to fulfill our constitutional Responsibility
The Forum also commends the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the prompt release of some of the abducted children and in handling other security challenges.The meeting also resolved to renew its support for every step to be taken by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria in taking the fight against insurgents to their enclave in order to bring an end to the criminality.
The Communique further reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of State Police.Accordingly, the Forum encourages National and States Assembly Members in the region to expedite action for its actualisation.
On illegal mining the forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria, the Forum therefore resolved to strongly recommend to the President to direct the Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining exploration for a period of 6 (six months to allow proper audit. Subject all mining Licences to revalidation for a period of six months in active consultation with the various State Governors and in the process arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining.
Similarly in order to effectively confront the security crises in the North, the Forum resolved to set-up a regional Security Trust Fund to be funded with a monthly contribution of One Billion Naira from each state and local governments to be deducted at source under a framework to be agreed upon.
