The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Wednesday in Kaduna said the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council will explore solutions to alleviate the challenges in the region and accordingly advise governors.
Abubakar, who is the Chairman of the Council, enjoined the traditional rulers to sincerely appraise the situation in order to find effeoctive solutions to the region’s problems.
He said the meeting with chairmen of the 19 Northern state traditional rulers’ and FCT, aimed to address concerns of the people for a better future, assuring that the outcome of the meeting would be communicated to all governors in the region.
He acknowledged their responsibility as fathers to provide solutions to the various challenges facing the region and emphasised the need for honesty in acknowledging all issues, including lack of regular sources of livelihoods leading to insufficient daily meals for the common man.
According to Abubakar, insecurity and the rising issue of poverty demand immediate attention, stating that things are not okay in Nigeria and the North, adding that having a large population of unemployed youth without proper opportunities was hazardous.
He advised political leaders to take decisive actions to remedy the situation to ensure peace and stability in the region and Nigeria as a whole.
The Sultan noted that the meeting should delve into the root causes of the problems, adding that the problems should not be solely attributed to the present government.
He expressed concerns that previous solutions articulated by the traditional rulers were not implemented, assuring that they would continue to discharge their duties to millions of people who believe in the traditional institution.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, also expressed concern that the Northern region has transformed from a peaceful area and the nation’s food basket to an epicenter of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, among other challenges.
He suggested an immediate collective action by governors in the region to strengthen access to education, healthcare and agriculture, and in addressing poverty and unemployment, saying that Northern states must form strong partnerships to revitalise the region’s economy, and combat poverty and insecurity.
The Director General, Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf-Magaji Bichi, represented by Kaduna State Director of DSS, Abdul Enechi, emphasized the inseparable link between security and development and called for collaboration within all institutions to counter any security threat.
