Political,economic and traditional leaders of the North met on Monday to deliberate on the problems of the region and find a way forward.The Arewa Consultative Forum, the umbrella socio-political organisation for the north, organised the meeting which was officially called a peace conference.However, analysts said the conference might have been convened to foster unity in the region preparatory to its bid for the presidency in 2015.Four former heads of state of northern extraction, however, stayed away from the conference. The ex-leaders who didnt attend included the second republic President Shehu Shagari and Generals Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, and Abdulsalami Abubakar.Those in attendance were a former head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Senate President, David Mark; Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; and 10 governors from the north.Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, however, stole the show as excited youths, on sighting the ex-VP at the arena, chanted his praise. The northern youths also carried placards welcoming Atiku to the Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, venue of the peace conference.The former VP was the preferred candidate of the northern political leaders for the presidential election in April this year but he was defeated at the Peoples Democratic Partys primaries by President Goodluck Jonathan.The state governors in attendance included those of Benue, Gabriel Suswam; Jigawa, Sule Lamido; Sokoto, Magatkarda Wammakko; Taraba, Danbaba Suntai; Yobe, Ibrahim Geidam; Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo; Nasarawa, Umar Tanko Almakura; Niger, Babangida Aliyu; Kebbi, Saidu Dkingari ; Borno, Kashim Shettima; Zamfara, Abdulazeez Yari; and the chief host, Patrick Ibarhim Yakowa of Kaduna State.Also at the conference were former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Abdulrahman Danbazzau; Alwali Kazir; former Transport Minister, Umaru Dikko; Senator Ahmed Mukhtar Aruwa; General Inuwa Wushishi; ex-Governor Saidu Barda of Katsina State; former governor of North Central State, Brig.-Gen.Abba Kyari; and a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, General Jerry Useni.The chairman of the conference, Gowon, told the attendees that the event came at the right time in view of the current security challenges facing the country.The North-East is home to the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. Members of the sect had carried out several bomb attacks and killings in Borno and Yobe states and the Federal Capital Territory in the past two years.Members of the sect on June 16 this year bombed the Nigeria Police Headquaters building; and on August 26 attacked the United Nations office complex in the same FCT. About 36 people died in the two attacks.The former head of state noted that the north would profit from living in peace with other Nigerians, adding, We are better as one entity than as parts.He said, The present north was not bequeathed to us neither are our children responsible for it. We have, over the years, through our action or in action, directly or indirectly, allowed the gradual descent to the present disagreeable and unacceptable behaviours in our communities and the entire north. We now must show seriousness, courage and responsibility in addressing these challenges squarely without fear, favour or mudslinging.I have been an ardent supporter and advocate of the views and differences within the north and the nation as a whole we are stronger as a whole than as smaller entities. This is very true to our nation, Nigeria. We are better as one united Nigeria than smaller entities.But at the same time, I am of the opinion that the whole, the big unit, must give its various parts some sense of belonging and look out for the interest of the smaller parts as a guarantee for its own security. I am assured by the organisers of this conference that it will not be one for mere speeches, but concrete actions.Mark challenged Northern leaders to be courageous enough to speak the truth about the crimes being committed by the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect.Mark said, We are here today because one of our founding fathers and great leaders, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna Sokoto of blessed memory showed great leadership qualities well beyond his time. He was charismatic, foresighted, selfless, dedicated, totally detribalised, courageous and above all sincere. Though a devout Moslem, he did not discriminate between Christians and Muslims. He was a symbol of Northern Nigeria and personified Northern Nigeria. He emphasised and stood for some values among which are education, development progress, unity and peace.Sadly, today, Northern Nigeria , which he left behind is known more for wrong reasons namely, poverty and under-development , poor education, religious fundamentalism, terrorism and ethnic intolerance, amongst others. He and other founding fathers must be weeping in their graves at our current situation.Continuing the Senate President added, As people who desire to live together we are bound to have problems but we can overcome this if we are sincere. Sincerity of purpose, consistency, transparency and honesty are all ingredients to ensure peace and harmonious co-existence in the North. Sincerity on the part of our religious leaders, our opinion moulders, traditional rulers and above all politicians. We must demonstrate this in words and in deed and we must show that we are serious about this. As leaders we sometimes have to take decisions that are painful but necessary. We must be courageous even when we are threatened.Will this conference avoid what may be regarded as sensitive issues and not discuss them' Will we be able to condemn current degree of insecurity occasioned and heightened by the Boko Haram' Are we afraid to openly condemn Boko Haram either for political reasons or out of fear of possible attack by the sect' How can we keep quiet when a group begins to propagate the ideology that Western education is Haram; Western education today remains the pivot of development'At the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, said that the traditional rulers in the region were ready and committed to ensuring peace in the North and Nigeria at large.He said traditional rulers must be given back their responsibility of being the chief security officer of their domain, adding that: We must rededicate ourselves to the teachings of our religious books as Christians and Muslims.Vice-President Namadi Sambo disclosed at the peace conference that the Federal Government had set aside the sum of N4bn for the take-off of the Almajiri education programme.Sambo added that the Federal Government had also awarded the contract for the exploration of oil and gas in the Chad Basin, stressing that the development of the North was of paramount importance.Notable traditional rulers from the Middle Belt which is also regarded as part of the North did not also attend the peace conference. No reason was however given for the absence of the former leaders and traditional rulers from the Middle Belt.They included the Tor Tiv Alfred Akawu Torkula; Ochiidoma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa; Aku Uka of Wukarri, Agyo Masaka Ibi; Gwom Jos, Gyang Buba;z as well as other notable traditional rulers from the zone.
Click here to read full news..
