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The Arewa
Consultative Forum (ACF) has been charged to partner with the Federal
Government in order to stimulate the economic growth and development of
the northern region.

Vice President,
Namadi Sambo said this during the Annual General Meeting and
inauguration of the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the forum
in Kaduna yesterday. The occasion where the vice president was the
special guest of honour, attracted other northern leaders including the
former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon who is the Chairman Board of Patrons.

Mr Sambo said:
“Government and other stakeholders should create the needed drive and
synergy to galvanise and stimulate economic growth and development of
the Northern heritage. We expect a rapid growth in agriculture,
education, transportation, and other infrastructural facilities such
that it will effectively drive away poverty among our people,” he
advised.

“I am particularly
happy that Arewa Consultative Forum has over the years of its formation
been on the right track and forefront in promoting, defending and
strengthening northern unity and the interest of the northern people in
the context of one indivisible Nigeria and contributing in safeguarding
the Nation’s territorial integrity.” He noted that from inception to
date, the ACF has conducted itself with decorum and decency that it has
had flawless succession plans and programmes which were clinically
executed devoid of rancour.

Partnership with government

“We hope for an
effective partnership that will foster unity, peace and progress of the
nation. The promotion of cordial and harmonious co-existence amongst
our people should be a sine-qua-non. It is in our considered hope that
all northerners will support the current executive to realise the
dreams of the founding fathers of the Forum.

“We must eschew
bitterness and politicisation of the lives of our people by promoting
such virtues that will unite rather than divide this blessed country of
ours. We are confident in your ability to partner any government and
stakeholders in that direction which we believe in turn shall
reciprocate this gesture by giving all the necessary cooperation that
the North desires. As we are all aware,

Nigerians believe in the unity and the indivisibility of the country and are geared towards attaining it.” He said.

Failed generation

Earlier in his
speech, the Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum and governor of Niger
State, Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, lambasted the leadership of the North.

Mr Aliyu, whose
speech was delivered by the deputy governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa
Ibeto, said, “this probably explains why we are still groping in the
dark over 50 years after Independence and almost 45 years after
Sardauna and indeed 11 years after the pressure group, ACF.” He
stressed the need to properly redefine the role of ACF and similar
groups routing for the socio-economic and political transformation of
the North.

“Are they people
who have misused their opportunity and want to remain relevant? Are
they people who are finding jobs for themselves in retirement and in
solitary life? What are the legacies they have left behind for the
younger generations in terms of exemplary leadership and social
values?” He queried.

“It is very
important to note that to earn the respect of others, we must not be
seen to be championing narrow selfish individual or group interests;
neither must we allow ourselves to be seen as mere opportunist who hide
under the guise of ethnic or religious dominance to agitate for what we
may not achieve under a free, fair and competitive atmosphere”, he
warned.

Inaugurating the NWC of ACF, Mr Gowon admonished the NWC to adhere
strictly to the objectives of the forum while carrying every member
along in its activities.