Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani voiced serious concerns about the high rates of poverty, out-of-school children, and widespread insecurity in northern Nigeria, stating that the region is facing an existential threat, on Monday.
Speaking at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna while hosting a delegation from the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) led by its Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, Governor Sani highlighted the urgent need to address these critical issues for the welfare of the North and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Sani presented alarming statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNICEF to underline the severity of the situation. He noted that a survey by the NBS revealed that 63% of Nigerians approximately 133 million people are living in multidimensional poverty.
Of these, 65%, or 86 million people, reside in the North, while the remaining 35%, about 47 million people, live in the South.
The governor also pointed out the dire state of education in the region. According to UNICEF, Nigeria has 18.3 million out-of-school children, with a staggering 70% of them located in northern Nigeria.
This significant educational disparity is a major concern for the development and future of the region.
“Insecurity in the North has significantly hampered development across various critical sectors. Many farmers are unable to access their farms due to security threats, leading to food insecurity. Child and maternal mortality rates are rising, and our infrastructure is deteriorating. Efforts to address these infrastructural deficits are equally jeopardized by the prevailing insecurity,” Sani stated.
Given this disturbing scenario, Governor Sani stressed that Northern Nigeria is at a critical juncture.
He called for collective action to reverse these negative trends, urging stakeholders to come together to develop a comprehensive “Marshall Plan” aimed at revitalizing the region.
The governor emphasized that this is a time for unity and decisive action to steer the North away from the brink.
During the meeting, Governor Sani commended the ACF for its ongoing efforts to promote and protect the interests of Northern Nigeria despite the region’s diverse composition.
He also debunked claims that President Bola Tinubu is against the North, attributing such narratives to political manipulation. He praised President Tinubu for providing exceptional support to northern state governments in tackling their numerous challenges.
“The narrative that President Tinubu is against the North is false, absurd, and unbecoming. It is the handiwork of individuals skilled in political manipulation, who are more interested in advancing their political ambitions than in the development of Northern Nigeria,” Sani asserted.
The governor expressed his willingness to partner with the ACF on initiatives that benefit the North and handed over documents for an office complex donated by the Kaduna State Government to the Forum.
He underscored the importance of leadership in uniting the North and mobilizing its people towards a brighter future.
Governor Sani reiterated the need for collaboration to develop a strategic plan for the region’s development, expressing optimism that the North would overcome its current challenges and rise again.
Earlier, ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and progress in Northern Nigeria.
He acknowledged the region’s severe challenges, including poverty, insecurity, and poor human development indices.
Osuman also informed the governor about upcoming events, such as the 90th birthday celebration of General Yakubu Gowon and ACF’s 25th anniversary, extending an invitation to Governor Sani to serve as the chief host.
The meeting highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the significant challenges facing Northern Nigeria and to work towards a more secure and prosperous future for the region and the country.
