
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is the era of multilateralism, a knowledge driven
economy where global economy is changing, with dwindling of sources and
tightening government budgets; and in Nigeria, with continued clamour for
restructuring, it is therefore, very necessary for Arewa region to think
out-of-the box: strategically and creatively about developing its economy
and social growth in the new economy to improve quality of life for everyone
in the region.
 ACRD
is a progressive public-policy, public-based entity and advocacy
organization, an independent non-partisan interdisciplinary research
platform with expertise in regional economics and community
development dedicated to fostering regional strategies,
partnerships, solutions and improving the lives of all that live in
Arewa Region, through promotion of sustainable regional development
with a focus on development planning and Knowledge Management (KM)
in the context of globalization and decentralization trends. The
Center presents Arewa viewpoint on economic issues aimed at not just
to change the conversation in Arewa, but to change the entire region
and thereby changing the country as a whole in a progressive way. It
has its headquarters in Kaduna State of Nigeria and does not support
or oppose candidates or political parties.
|
|
|
ABOUT
US
AREWA Center for Regional Development (ACRD)
was founded in June 2016 based on the United Nations (UN)
documents of UNCRD - ECOSOC resolutions 1086 C of 18th June
1971 with the vision to achieve sustainable living
environment, safe, secure, equitable and inclusive
development in harmony with the environment for the people
of northern region of Nigeria popularly known in Hausa
language as “Arewa”.
PRESIDENT OF AREWA CENTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT (ACRD)
%20(1b)_small1.JPG)
Profile of
Dr Baba J Adamu President of ACRD
Today, Nigerian ethnic diversity is not even
a static phenomenon. Ethnic groups change
through time in complex ways. Of course, it
is natural to belong to a category or group
of people that are considered to be
significantly different from others in terms
of culture, dialect or tribe, traditions,
religion, etc., and even physical
characteristics like body shape, colour
etc., however, it is necessary, within the
nation, and in the interest of unity,
survival and bigger picture, to suspend
chauvinistic views to truly understand
larger issues affecting the interests of all
of the diverse groups that have been wedded
together by God in terms of geographical and
re-settlement of people within the location,
and of course by a deliberate union of
inter-marriages in such a location.
|
|
|
|
|
God created us from a
single pair of male and female, into nations, colours, races and
tribes so that we may cherish and differentiate one another. In His
Mercy and Wisdom, He gives us diversity to test our capacity for
friendship and accentuates the need for unity and self-esteem. The
days of ignorance were the days of feuds and falsehood attitude of
trying to forget these differences rather than understand them
For
a sustainable developed and innovative Arewa with inclusive growth
in today’s world, it takes a spark from within. That is the reason
why the AREWA Center for Regional Development (ACRD) is reaching out
to northern Governors, elder statesmen and astute leaders,
traditional and religious leaders, and private businesses in the
region to implement innovative and pragmatic solutions to a wide
variety of the region's challenges, as well as reaching out to
professional northerners in the Diaspora and ordinary northerners
irrespective of their social class, ethnicity, religious beliefs and
even political affiliation to work together for better, safer
communities and local development whereby the economic, social,
cultural, and environmental resources of the region are harnessed
for the betterment of everyone in the region.
Every Nigerian living in the north is a Northerner. That
person, irrespective of his or her background, tribe descent,
ethnicity, religious belief and even political affiliation has the
right to live in peace and harmony; and go about his/her legitimate
businesses without fear.
The Center is also working with other research centers,
universities, polytechnics and other research institutions in the
region, in the country and around the globe to explore and share
development and research opportunities. With research partners
around the world, the ACRD is working hard to provide world-class
ideas and strategies for collaboration, innovation and prosperity.

|
|
|
MISSION & GOALS
As clearly captured by the Open Society Foundation’s theory of
change, which is rooted in our belief that IF well-informed citizens are
able to increase their participation in decision-making
processes, AND governance structures, processes and regional integration
mechanisms are strengthened and function more effectively in the best
interest of the society AND the human rights of all its people, in
particular the poor, vulnerable and marginalized are respected and
protected, THEN this would contribute to making our society a freer, safer,
more integrated, more equitable and ultimately more democratic and
prosperous region. As Government continue to make real change happen, to
ensure a clean environment and a strong economy built on greater Nigeria,
and on providing greater security and opportunity for all, we have a duty
and responsibility to support the Government in achieving this feat; for
that is the trust we bestow upon our leaders.
Mission
Pioneering new ideas and strategies that will contribute to the
economic growth of the entire Arewa region,
to conduct research that will be
applied directly to social policy
and develop a body of knowledge about social order, economy and
change toward regional peace and unity within a safer,
environmentally friendly society.
The Five Major Goals of ACRD
-
Strengthen the Economic Leadership of the Region -
Recognizing the economic needs and assets of Arewa region rests,
in part, on access to high quality data tools that can produce a
comprehensive assessment of the region’s social, economic,
educational, demographic and environmental resources.
-
Strengthen Collaborative Leadership of the Region
- Vibrant region depends on a diversity of people and groups
contributing to the economic and civic life of their region. In
addition, they hinge on the presence of new leaders who are
capable of working in partnership with various communities in
the region.
-
Promote Regional Strategy and Planning -
Embracing a framework that promotes sound planning and timely
decision making is critical to the effective tackling of
regional challenges, concerns and opportunities.
-
Advance Economic Development and Business Growth Strategies -
Strong and sustainable economies require the pursuit of an
appropriate mix of economic development strategies, especially
ones that reduce economic gaps and strengthen a region’s
economic assets in a collaborative way.
-
Tap the Talents of educated Northerners and partner Universities
in the region -
No matter the complexity of the challenges the region face, ACRD
has the capacity to tap from northern resource persons and
partner with Universities and other institutions within the
region and away.
|
|
|
|
|
|

“Given the emergence of
new regional dynamics in development policy and
practice, Arewa region MUST fine-tune current regional
development perspectives and
to develop new ones that are not only more in sync with
the present and future global context but with the
governance systems being currently adopted that are
becoming more and more decentralized and grassroots
oriented. States Governors within the Arewa region must
come together to create and adopt the Arewa Regional
Economic Plan with emphasis on a balanced approach to
development and opportunity for all diversity
irrespective of one’s tribe, social class, religious
belief and even political affiliation; and establish
targets for economic growth of the entire region taking
advantage of our Demographic Shifts, which will fuel the
growth of new sectors, markets, and service lines in our
communities. The ability of our diversity to build
strength and unity is the power that will propel the
region and consequently, the Nigerian industry, into new
dimensions of performance and inclusive growth.
Catalyzing Inclusive Growth Through ICT-enabled
solutions in healthcare, education, financial services
and public services can drive socio-economic development
and inclusion of more than 30 million citizens each
year, faster, cheaper and more effectively than
traditional models. The economic plan should be built on
current regional opportunities, collaboration and
innovation linking States macroeconomic models with
regional development and economic plan termed: Regional
Econometric Model”…President
ACRD
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|