Northern Leaders Unite to Form New Socio-Cultural Organisation

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

Perturbed by myriad socioeconomic and political challenges of the Northern region, the former Governor of Sokoto State, Dr Attahiru Bafarawa has formed another Pan-Arewa Sociocultural organization.

The NGO tagged Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative was launched at historic Arewa House Kaduna Wednesday in the presence of representatives from the 19 Northern States.

Bafarawa, in his remarks said, the Forum is a political and do not intend to transform into or align with any political party, saying it’s me mission transcends politics.

He averred that, the Forum is ever ready to embrace all ethnic nationalities in the region regard of any sentiment.

The Convener and leader of the Forum further said, members are free to align with any political party of their choosing, emphasizing that the Forum will support any member to champion their objectives while in position of authority.

The Former Governor said, the Forum’s main aims and objectives are to pursue collective interest of the entire North and its diverse people.

Bafarawa further said, they have articulated a blueprint to actualise their objectives, out if careful study and deep reflection on the North’s potentials.

The Chairman of the Occasion, General John Temlong in his short speech said, the Forum represents the collective interest of North that refuses to be defined by myriad challenges but rather by its capacity to overcome them.
He said the initiative embodies timeless values that always defined the North as a monolithic region.

He charged the leadership and membership that they carry a burden, hopes and aspirations of millions of Northerners, while pra to ing that the Forum marks beginning of a journey that will be remembered as turning point for a lasting Peace and sustainable development.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director general of the Forum, Dr Abdullahi Idris said the Forum is not created out of isolation, but as result of extensive reflection, dialogue and robust engagement across communities and divides, grounded in a simple, yet powerful conviction that the challenges facing the region can only addressed through genuine collaboration, mutual understanding and common agenda for Peace, unity and development.

He narrated some of the region’s potentials and diversities in cultures, languages, traditions, which he said, had played vital roles in shaping the nations identity, while lamenting that, recently the region has been tested by persistent insecurity, instability, economic hardship and deepening social fragmentations.

Dr Idris asserted that the Forum’s formation is timely and strategic effort seeking to foster dialogue where there is silence as well as rebuild trust eroded and create opportunities where there are none.

He said it’s built on Peace Building, Arewa unity and sustainable development, saying that it doesn’t seek to duplicate existing efforts, but to complement and connect with with them.

“The task ahead is tedious, while progress will not be immediate, but the stakes are too high and the cost of inaction too great for us to remain idle,” he said.

He finally he congratulated the new states leadership of the Forum and charge them to be committed, dedicated and diligent in actualizing the objectives of the Forum for the good of all.

Highlights of the event was the official unveiling of the Forum by the Chairman.