From From Femi Mustapha, and Divine Macaulay Kaduna
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has called for fairness and equity in the implementation of all national policies and programmes to ensure that no geopolitical zone is short-changed or marginalized.
The Chairman of the Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa, said this while reading the communique after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Northern Traditional Ruler’ Council (Emirs and Chiefs), which was held in Kaduna today (Monday).
The Chairman, who is Gombe State Governor, said the Forum is not averse to any policies or programmes that will ensure the growth and development of the country.
The Forum, however, commended the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the reform initiative in the livestock sub-sector and agreed to provide the necessary political will and commitment to ensure the success of the Federal Government livestock development initiatives.
The Forum also agreed to sustain engagement and cross-fertilization of ideas with the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee to achieve greater results.
On the present economic hardship affecting the country, the Forum appealed to all citizens to remain calm, as the states and Federal Government are working hard to implement measures that will cushion the effects of the hardship.
The NSGF Chairman said that the Forum agrees that Northern Nigeria holds immense agricultural potential, which, if fully harnessed, can significantly alleviate hunger and boost economic growth.
He added that to achieve this, they have resolved to provide adequate support to farmers, including access to financing, modern farming techniques, and infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems.
Agriculture, according to him, should not only be seen as a means to feed the people but also as a catalyst for industrialization and job creation across the region.
This, he said, can be achieved through the re-industrialization of the North, especially by reviving the textile value chain and developing other agro-allied industries.
