ACF Report Highlights: Poverty, Illiteracy, and Insecurity in the North
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that the northern region of Nigeria still has a lot of work to do, especially in areas like poverty, education, health, and security, where it is struggling the most.
The ACF has also decided not to support a planned nationwide protest against bad governance, calling it poorly timed and unhelpful. The ACF’s Chairman, Mamman Osuman, mentioned this during a visit to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State. He explained that the ACF was not involved in the protest and did not think it would be beneficial.
Osuman emphasized that the ACF’s main goal is to address issues of insecurity and poverty in Northern Nigeria. The ACF was established in 2000 by Northern leaders, including state governors, Emirs, Chiefs, and other Elders, to unite diverse people in the North regardless of their political, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. The Forum aims to promote peace, unity, and development by being vigilant about any issues that could lead to conflicts or crises.
Despite their efforts, Osuman noted that the North still faces significant challenges in achieving peace and progress. He called on Northern leaders and citizens to work together to improve the situation.
The ACF remains dedicated to representing and defending the interests of Northern people. They have recently reviewed the 1999 Constitution and submitted their findings to the National Assembly for consideration. They also plan to organize two major events: celebrating General Yakubu Gowon’s 90th birthday on October 19, 2024, and marking the ACF’s 25th anniversary in March 2025. Governor Sani will be invited as the Chief Host for these events.
Lastly, Osuman thanked Governor Sani for his support and expressed hope that the Governor would continue to assist the ACF in the future.
