Humanity stands at a defining moment in history and
the north is at a crossroad. We are confronted with
a perpetuation of disparities between us as a nation
and within us as eloquently put, “Yan Arewa” meaning
northerners. We have a worsening situation of
poverty, hunger, ill health, despair & hopelessness
and illiteracy, including
problems of Boko Haram terrorism/insurgency, which
led to hike in the population of the internally
displaced persons (IDPs), influx of small arms and
dangerous weapons through ports and porous borders,
incessant and senseless killings and kidnappings,
armed youths banditry, communal & religious
violence, herdsmen/farmers crises, drug abuse by
youths and young women including the issue of social
exclusion of many citizens, to name a few. There is
also
the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend
on for our well-being. However, integration of
economic development concerns and the environment
using the
“Peace Building from below”
pragmatic approach taking into account
local input and resources;
and greater attention to them in a sustainable
concerted manner will lead to the fulfillment of
basic needs, improved living standards for all,
better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer,
secured, more prosperous future. No state can
achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a
global partnership and collaboration for sustainable
development.
Northern Nigeria’s strength has
always been in its diversity, elected to bring us
together, not to set us against one another and
strong because of our differences, not in spite of
them. As one entity, we are strengthened in many
ways by our shared experiences, by the diversity
that inspires both the southerners and the world,
and by the way we treat each other not the way we
attack each other....
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