Bismillahir rahmanir raheem

Your Excellency the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Your Excellencies, the executive governors of the Northwest States, Your Excellencies, the Foreign Ambassadors present, the members of our esteemed armed forces, police, and other security agencies represented, Your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to the inaugural Northwest Peace and Security Summit

I stand before you today with a profound sense of duty and commitment as we gather to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our beloved Northwest region. Our shared history, culture, and aspirations bind us together, and it is this unity that we must harness to confront the issues of insecurity.

The Northwest Governors Forum began shortly after we were elected in office. As Governors-elect, we met and agreed to tackle our shared issues together. Insecurity was an obvious concern to all, and we agreed to work closely to tackle the issues. We also looked to developing agriculture and power supply in the region with the aim of promoting socio-economic development. We visited the President of the African Development Bank as a group to seek support. We have also recently met with the leadership of the United Nations to pursue a regional approach to development. Our effort to tackle security took us to Washington D.C to attend a symposium put together by the United States Institute for Peace where we informed them of our ongoing plan to hold this very summit at home.

The Northwest governors are now a brotherhood with the goal of providing peace, security, and prosperity for our people. We have transcended the political divide and remain focused on a collective effort towards development while individually performing the mandates bestowed upon us by the people of our various states.

The fight against insecurity is primarily a federal responsibility, and I would like to thank President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his leadership. I recall speaking with him after an attack a few months ago and his prompt response to the matter. He has continued to engage with me on this matter and is equally committed to securing lives and livelihoods in the region and the entire country. I want to thank the leadership of the Nigerian Army and Air Force for their relentless fight against insecurity in Katsina. I would also like to thank the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and all other security agencies working together to keep our people safe. I will take this opportunity to offer my deepest condolences to our fallen heroes.

I also want to recognise the National Assembly’s efforts to establish the Northwest Development Commission, which aims to promote inclusive growth in the region. This laudable effort will provide the much-needed resources for fighting insecurity through non-kinetic measures.

We are not alone in the fight against insecurity. I want to use this opportunity to express my appreciation for the United Nations’ partnership in organising the summit and their attention to the Northwest region. I also thank all the foreign dignitaries present here today. Your support, both direct and indirect, will be invaluable in our quest for peace and development.

Banditry has cast a shadow over our communities. It has disrupted lives, stifled economic activities, and instilled fear among our people. We cannot allow this menace to define our region. As leaders, we must adopt a multifaceted approach that includes robust intelligence gathering, community policing, and deploying advanced security technologies. Furthermore, we must enhance the capacity of our national security forces through continuous improvements and adequate resources.

To effectively combat banditry, we need to strengthen our intelligence networks. This means improving our surveillance systems, investing in modern technology such as drones and satellite imagery, and enhancing coordination among various security agencies. We must also establish more efficient communication channels to ensure timely responses to threats.

However, addressing banditry is not solely the responsibility of our security agencies. We must engage with local communities, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to foster a culture of cooperation and trust. Community engagement is crucial in gathering actionable intelligence and building resilience against criminal activities. Most states in the region have already established community security initiatives where local outfits work hand in hand with formal security forces to protect their communities. In Katsina, we launched the Community Watch Corps. Zamfara and Sokoto states have equally launched successful programs, while Kaduna already had an existing program in place. Most states in the region have now established full-fledged ministries for internal security and have made security a focal part of their administrative duties at the state level.

In addition, we must address the root causes of banditry, which often stem from economic deprivation and lack of opportunities. Vocational training, job opportunities, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises can help divert vulnerable individuals from criminal activities.

Our region has the potential to be the nation’s breadbasket, yet we face significant challenges in achieving food security. Banditry’s disruption has severely impacted agricultural activities, reduced productivity and increased food prices. To combat this, we must invest in modern agricultural practices, support smallholder farmers, and improve access to agricultural inputs and credit facilities.

We need to prioritise the development of rural infrastructure, such as roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. Improving rural roads will facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce to markets, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing farmers’ incomes. Enhancing irrigation systems will enable year-round farming, mitigating the impact of erratic rainfall patterns and ensuring consistent food production.

We must also encourage youth participation in agriculture through targeted empowerment programs and the introduction of innovative farming techniques. Modern farming technologies, such as precision agriculture, can significantly boost productivity. We must also promote adopting climate-smart agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of climate change on our farming activities.

Moreover, we must support our farmers by providing them access to affordable credit and agricultural investment schemes. These measures will help them invest in quality seeds, fertilisers, and equipment, increasing their yields and incomes. Tackling agriculture can lead to increased security in the region and the country.

Socio-economic justice and eradicating poverty are fundamental to our region’s progress. Poverty is both a cause and consequence of insecurity, creating a vicious cycle that perpetuates suffering and instability. To break this cycle, we must implement policies that promote inclusive economic growth, create job opportunities, and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Education and healthcare are critical pillars in this regard. We must invest in our educational institutions, ensuring every child has access to quality education that equips them with the skills needed for the future. Our educational system should be reformed to include vocational training and technical education, preparing our youth for diverse employment opportunities. Scholarships and financial aid should be provided to deserving students to ensure no child is left behind due to financial constraints. An educated population is statistically less inclined to violent crimes.

Similarly, we must strengthen our healthcare systems to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services to all citizens. This includes building more healthcare facilities in rural areas, ensuring the availability of essential drugs, and training healthcare workers. We must also focus on preventive healthcare measures, such as immunisation programs and health education campaigns, to reduce the burden of diseases in our communities.

Economic empowerment programs are vital in lifting people out of poverty and deterring youth from joining criminal enterprises. We must support small and medium-sized enterprises by providing them access to credit, business development services, and market opportunities. My administration has provided about 9 billion Naira to support the state’s MSMEs. Entrepreneurship training and mentorship programs can help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable businesses. Additionally, we must focus on improving the livelihoods of women and youth, who are often the most vulnerable to poverty. All of these can reduce their inclination to crimes and improve security.

The challenges we face are not confined within state borders; they are regional in nature and require a coordinated response. We, the governors of the Northwest states, must work together to develop and implement comprehensive strategies that address our common challenges. Regional cooperation will enable us to pool our resources, share best practices, and leverage our collective strengths for the greater good.

We must also engage with the federal government, international organisations, and development partners to secure support and funding for our initiatives. By presenting a united front, we can attract more significant investments and drive sustainable development across our region.

To facilitate regional cooperation, we have established a Northwest Governors’ Forum that meets regularly to discuss our everyday challenges and coordinate our efforts. This forum serves as a platform for sharing ideas, monitoring progress, and holding each other accountable. We will also consider establishing joint task forces to tackle specific issues, such as banditry and food security, ensuring that our responses are well-coordinated and effective.

In conclusion, the path to peace, security, and prosperity for the Northwest lies in our hands. We must act with urgency, determination, and unity of purpose. Let us build a region where every citizen can live in peace, agriculture thrives, socio-economic justice prevails, and poverty is a thing of the past.

Together, we can transform the Northwest into a beacon of hope and progress for the nation. Thank you, and may God bless us all as we strive towards a brighter future for our region.

Culled from Katsina City News Magazine