Northern leaders at Kaduna confab lament ‘decline of Arewa’ (Why not lament about Education)

Posted by admin Arewa House, Headlines Monday, December 5th, 2011

By Luka Binniyat
KADUNA—NORTHERN leaders, yesterday, met in Kaduna to seek solution to the crises of confidence among the various tribes in the zone, even as some notable traditional rulers in the North Central area and Middle Belt were conspicuously absent.

Apart from fromer Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who is from Plateau State and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III who attended the peace conference, their contemporaries like General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, and His Highness, Asaph Zadok, Hama Bachama were absent.

Others who did not attend the well publicised event include, the Attah of Igala, Dr Aliyu Obaje; the Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Tokula; the Ochi of Idoma land, Chief Ageba Idu Elias, the Ponzi Tarok of Lantang Gen. Domkat Bali (rtd), and the Gwatyap of Kataf land, Engr. Harrison Bungwon

Other absentees were, Gbom Gwon Jos, Gyang Buba.

From left: Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Gusau, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa at the Arewa conference on peace in Kaduna yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

However, their colleagues from the far North (Hausa- Fulani) including politicians, traditional and religious leaders attended.

All the speakers at the opening ceremony recalled what they said was the fallen glory of Arewa since the demise of the late Premier of the North, Sir Ahmadu Bello and how to improve on the socio-economic and security problems that have engulfed the north.

Gowon, clad in cream coloured agbada and Hausa hand-sewn cap to match, enumerated “the problems the way” he saw them.

Said Gowon: “This conference is concerned about the challenges and the need to salvage the legacies of our founding fathers which are showing signs of imminent collapse. What is happening today is not the Nigeria and the North we inherited and for us, it cannot be the north we desire to bequeath to our children.

Gradual

descent

“The present north was not bequeathed to us neither are our children responsible for it. We have, over the years through our action or inaction, directly or indirectly allowed the gradual descent to present disagreeable and unacceptable behaviour in our communities and the entire north. We now must show seriousness, courage and responsibility in addressing these challenges squarely without fear, favour or mudslinging.”

Gowon insisted that injustices, such as the banning of the teachings of Christian religious studies in public schools in some Northern states, and the refusal of granting of permits and land to build churches, lack of equal opportunities for minorities in these states have not helped in uniting the North.

He said: “We must take our children off the streets to the classrooms. Our leaders, especially the political leaders, must lead with justice, fairness and transparency while dealing with the masses. Then, and only then will peace and stability be restored not only in the north but in the entire country. We know there are problems, let’s not deceive ourselves. How did we get into these problems? What really happened? Were we lagging some 15, 20 years back? Why do we have crisis everywhere? Muslims killing Muslims, Muslims killing Christians, Christians killing Christians etc?

“Our founding fathers did not do that, so where have we derailed? We must come back to the path of our founding fathers if we want to make any progress. We must bring education to the front burner. The state governors must set up education trust funds that will make children go to school at no cost. I believe they have the where withal to do that. Many people are tired of what is happening and want to see peace reign in Nigeria”. The Governor of Niger State and Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, said: “Perhaps, it is time those of us in leadership position in governments (at all levels) and indeed in the private sector live by example, to earn the respect and trust of the less privileged amongst us, especially the younger generations. At the basic level, if we pronounce a policy for improving education or health sectors, for instance, we should be seen to be using our public schools and health facilities for the educational and health needs of our families, so that we can feel where the shoe pinches and take informed decisions in addressing the challenges. I must say that we need to be courageous in changing our social values and belief systems to reflect humility, transparency and accountability to achieve greater levels of service delivery in this country.

Ethnic and religious

conflicts

“Similarly, in addressing what may be masquerading as ethnic and religious conflicts and security threats in some parts of the Northern States, we must first tackle the economic problems and social inequities in our society.”

The Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo on his part, said that the Federal Government was building boarding primary schools for the 9.5 million almajiri of the North, adding that the government has earmarked N4.9 billion for the project in the 2012 budget.

Among those at the meeting include: the Senate President, Senator David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, all the 19 Northern Governors and members of the National Assembly the North

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