Northern Nigeria facing existential threats from insecurity, says Uba Sani

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says insecurity has stunted multi-sectoral developments in northern Nigeria.

Sani spoke in Kaduna on Monday when the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) paid him a courtesy visit at the government house.

The governor said high levels of criminal activity across many communities in the region have reversed progress made on multiple fronts.

“Food insecurity now confronts us directly,” Sani said.

“Child and maternal mortality are on the increase; our infrastructure has decayed. The moves to address our infrastructural deficits are equally threatened by insecurity.

“From this very disturbing picture, it is clear that northern Nigeria faces an existential threat.”

The governor urged northerners to close ranks and work out a strategy to address the challenges facing the region.

Sani also frowned at what he described as “toxic politics” and “pull him down syndrome” among northern politicians.

“We indulge in endless blame games, devoid of attempts at soul-searching or introspection,” he said.

“We have failed to ask ourselves some vital questions. ‘Who are those complicit in the underdevelopment of the north? ‘What have we done individually and collectively to find solutions to the challenges facing the north?’

“We must take a hard look at ourselves, tell ourselves some home truths, and move together to fashion a common strategy to address our developmental challenges and confront the criminals making life unbearable for our people.”

Sani also urged the ACF to contribute to building the required consensus for the best approach to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the region.

Mamman Osuman, the chairman of ACF, said all indices that track human progress, especially poverty, illiteracy, health, and security, place the north at the deep end of the trough.

Osuman, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the forum remains committed to articulating and defending the interests of northerners through its various activities.