Tag: Northern Governors

Northern Governors Meet, Take Measures To Tackle Insecurity In Region

A file photo of a community attacked by bandits in Kaduna State.

 

 

Members of the Northern Governors Forum met on Thursday to review the security situation in the region.

The teleconference, which was presided over by the Chairman of the Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, held against the backdrop of recent attacks on communities in northern states by Boko Haram and bandits among other criminals.

During the meeting, the governors were concerned about the level of insecurity in the region and took some measures to address the situation.

Among other resolutions, they agreed to set up a standing committee on security in the North to foster synergy with security agencies in the enforcement of security measures in the region.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, was named as the committee chairman with the Governors Zamfara and Gombe, Bello Matawalle and Muhammad Yahaya, as members.

Another committee headed by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, with Governors of Adamawa, Niger, and Sokoto States – Ahmadu Fintiri, Abubakar Bello, and Aminu Tambuwal, as members, was set up on the consultation with traditional, religious and community leaders in the North.

According to a statement by the spokesperson for Governor Lalong who is also the Forum’s chairman, Dr Makut Macham, the consultative committee would ensure that there is wider involvement in tackling insecurity in the North.

The governors also resolved to engage local vigilantes, hunters, and community watch groups in the security architecture of the region, to enhance intelligence gathering, rapid response, and sustained surveillance.

They, therefore, called on the Federal Government to closely look into the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons regarding the cross-border movement of herders from other countries into Nigeria, particularly the North.

While commending the security forces for their efforts in tackling insecurity in the region, the governors called for increased synergy to enhance operations and assist in putting an end to the activities of bandits, insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals.

They also agreed to adopt dialogue where necessary while pursuing military measures in dealing with the various security challenges in the North.

On the recent attacks on communities, the governors sympathised with victims and appealed for calm by groups and those affected.

They assured the residents that the Forum, state governments, and the Federal Government were working together to bring the situation under control and address the humanitarian needs of the victims.

The governors asked the Federal Government to accelerate the Livestock Transformation Plan to assist in creating jobs for farmers and herders in the region and the country at large.

They commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts to deal with the security situation in the country and the region.

COVID-19 Positive Almajiri Kids Need Care Not Publicity – Ganduje

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has called on his counterparts in the north to avoid ‘making noise’ about COVID-19 positive Almajiri kids and rather give them necessary care.

The governor who was speaking at a media briefing on Sunday said the fact that he is not making noise doesn’t mean all Almajiri brought back to Kano from other northern states are healthy.

“We agreed at the Northern Governors Forum that all Almajiris moved to their states of origin. That is why we are sending, in good faith and procedures, all Almajiris that are not from Kano state to their respective states of origin.

“The way we are sending back Almajiris to their states of origin, we are also receiving Almajiris from other states who are Kano indigenes. But the fact that we are not making noise about it does not mean they are all healthy without COVID-19 infections.

“We are not making politics out of it because we all believe that what they need most now, is not noise making or publicity. What they need at this critical point in time is caregiving,” he said.

The Kano State Governor has sent hundreds of Almajirai back to their states of origin with many of them testing positive for COVID-19 when they were tested upon their return to their respective states.

The move had attracted criticism but Ganduje defended the state’s action, saying it was mutually agreed by northern governors.

A file photo of Almajiri kids.

“People should also understand that these children were not infected in the process of transporting them to their respective states. So noise making is not fit as a way forward.

“All we are doing is simply to comply with the Northern Governors’ Forum decision that all Almajiris in our states should be taken back to their respective states, simple,” Ganduje said.

Kano State government had earlier commenced the evacuation of Almajiri children to their respective states of origin most of whom have now been tested positive for COVID-19.

Governor Ganduje at the briefing stressed that he also received Almajiris from other northern states some of who tested positive but he decided not to make noise about it.

Northern Governors Meet, Resolve To Purchase COVID-19 Mobile Test Vans

A file photo of Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

 

The Northern Governors Forum met on May 1st, 2020 to continue their discussions on tackling the Corona Virus Pandemic in the region.

The meeting which again held via teleconferencing was presided over by Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong.

The Forum reviewed some of the issues they earlier raised such as the request for more COVID-19 Testing Centres in the North which are grossly inadequate.

They acknowledged some improvement through the intervention of the Federal Government, but said it was still a far cry going by its population and increase in COVID-19 cases.

READ ALSO: Lagos Discharges 26 Recovered COVID-19 Patients

They therefore decided to purchase mobile Testing Vans which they believe will facilitate testing in the rural areas.

The Forum also expressed deep appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his quick intervention in Kano State because of the spike in the number of COVID-19 infections recently.

On the issue of inter-State border closure, the Northern Governors expressed serious concern that despite their efforts, the borders are still being compromised and more illegal routes are being created which is giving rise to more inter-State transfer of COVID-19.

They also noted that some of the trucks transporting goods are also used in smuggling people across States in violation of movement regulations.

They therefore decided to close all their borders from 6pm to 7am to all trucks carrying goods so as to enable proper scrutiny and examination the following day, which is difficult to achieve in the night when most of the infractions happen.

They also agreed to increase the use of vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch, and traditional rulers in enforcing the border closures.

On the profiling and return of Almajiris to their States of origin, the Governors noted that the exercise has commenced and is going on well except for some few logistic challenges, which are being addressed, between Governors of originating and receiving States.

They also agreed that Almajiris sent from one State to another should be profiled, tested and accompanied by State officials and their Alaramas (teachers) to facilitate the process of settling in.

They were also briefed on the post-COVID-19 Economic Blueprint for Northern Region by Chairman of the Committee Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State who said the document is being developed and will soon be presented to the Forum.

They also mandated the Governors of Kebbi, Katsina, Borno, and Plateau to engage the leadership of Security Agencies on the threat of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping on agriculture in the north as farmers are afraid to go their farms for fear of attacks.

The Northern Governors also commended the efforts of the Private Sector led Coalition Against Corona Virus (COCAVID) which has commenced the distribution of palliatives to States.

COVID-19: Why We Cannot Lockdown North – Northern Governors

A file photos of Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

 

The Northern Governors’ Forum has met over the COVID-19 pandemic, calling for a coordinated response to tackle the virus in the region.

Chairman of the forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong chaired the meeting via a teleconference.

The governors met on Monday to discuss the impact of the virus in the region, stressing that they cannot lock down the entire north.

In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Plateau Governor, Simon Macham, members of the Forum resolved to strengthen preventive measures against the pandemic.

Part of these measures include enhanced border controls and surveillance as well as greater collaboration to ensure that there is synergy among them in movement restriction.

While noting that the lockdown in some states in the region had varying levels of success, the governors also raised concerns that enforcing cross-border movements remains a challenge as some of the cases recorded in some states were imported from outside despite the closure of borders by their respective governments.

They agreed that each state would adopt the measure suitable to its setting, stressing that a total lockdown of the region will come at a very high cost since most of its citizens are farmers who need to go to farms as the rains have started.

Regarding palliatives from the Federal Government, the northern leaders regretted that so far, no state in the region has received a dime as special allocation.

They argued that some states have recorded coronavirus cases while others are making frantic efforts to prevent any outbreak as well as prepare against any eventuality.

Lamenting that the virus has caused a huge financial burden on them, the governors believe that they may not be able to sustain this for a long time.

They resolved that Governor Lalong will liaise with the Federal Government through the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the private sector to benefit from available palliatives and donations.

As for testing centres, the governors complained that the region has no testing centres, which to them is very disturbing.

Moving forward, they resolved to again liaise with the Federal Government to ensure that each state at least gets one testing centre while highly populated ones get two.

Northern Governors Adopt FG’s Livestock Transformation Plan

Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

 

 

Governors of the 19 Northern States have adopted the Federal Government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan.

The governors also resolved to implement the entire roadmap of the plan in all member-states.

They made the resolution during an emergency meeting of the Northern Governors Forum which held on Thursday at the Government House in Kaduna State.

READ ALSO: Buhari Will Defeat Atiku At ‘World Court’, Says Oshiomhole

Chairman of the forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, disclosed this to reporters at the end of the meeting which lasted several hours.

Governor Lalong explained that the forum adopted the plan with hopes that it would address both economic and security challenges posed by the incessant conflicts between herders and farmers in the country.

He also called on state governments that were not included in the pilot scheme of the plan to key into it.

The increasing clashes between farmers and herders have recently become worrisome especially in wetland areas of the middle belt, north-central, and southern part of the country.

Violent conflicts between the two parties who are prominent stakeholders in the country’s agricultural sector have escalated in recent times and spreading southwards, thereby threatening Nigeria’s security and stability.

As part of the Federal Government efforts to tackling the crisis, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, inaugurated the National Livestock Transformation Plan On Tuesday at the Gongoshi Grazing Reserve in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The government believes the plan, which is to be implemented in seven pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara, will develop Nigeria’s livestock sector and also reduce the incessant conflicts between herders and farmers.

With the launching of the programme in Adamawa, the governors at Thursday’s meeting noted that that the stage is set for all northern states to key into it.

Although the resolution of the meeting sounded unanimous, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, represented by his deputy, Benson Abounu, said his state would only implement the plan if its conforms with the Benue laws on ranching of animals and the anti-open grazing laws.

IGP, Northern Govs Meet In Katsina Over Insecurity

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Wednesday led a team of senior police officers to a meeting with northern governors.

According to the IGP, the meeting is part of efforts aimed at tackling security challenges being witnessed in parts of the country.

The IGP at the commencement of the meeting said it is aimed at coordinating the activities of the Nigerian Police Force with a view to finding a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the North-Western parts of the country.

READ ALSO: Another Two-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos

He described the meeting as one of the initiatives of the Nigeria Police aimed at ending killings, kidnappings and other security challenges in the country.

Governors of Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states are in attendance at the meeting. Also, governors of Taraba, Plateau and Niger states are also expected at the meeting.

Before the meeting went into a closed-door, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State commended the initiative, adding that all the governors are fully aware of their responsibility in securing the lives and property of their people.

Also present at meeting are deputy inspectors general of police, commissioners of police, the commander of the 17 brigade, Katsina State, as well as leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACAN).

Earlier in his address of welcome, Governor Masari commended the initiative of the Inspector General of police reminding him that all the governors are fully aware of their responsibility in securing the lives and property of their people.

The meeting later went into closed doors.

Dapchi Abduction: Northern Governors Vow To Tackle Insecurity Within Region

The Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Kashim Shettima, has said that their primary responsibility as leaders is to take a serious look at the security challenges in the region.

Shettima who is also the governor of Borno State said that the forum will not only look into the situation but come up with implementable ways and means on how to address them.

This follows the recent abduction of the Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi which has led to serval calls from the President Muhammadu Buhari, United Nations and serval other concerned Nigerians demanding their rescue.

Governor Shettima condemned the recent abduction and noted that various steps have been taken by the Federal Government to ensure the girls return safely.

The governor made this known during the meeting of the northern governors on Thursday in Kaduna.

He said the forum will deliberate on the causes of various conflicts in the region and their seemingly intractable nature with an open and unbiased mind.

Northern Governors Meet In Kaduna Over Security, Poverty, Others

The northern governors from nineteen states are meeting in Kaduna to discuss issues affecting the region.

These issues include security challenges, poverty, economy, educational development amongst others.

The governors on Thursday arrived at the Government House in Kaduna, the venue for the meeting.

Present at the meeting are the governors of Borno, Kaduna, Kogi, Sokoto, Bauchi, Katsina and Deputy Governors of Benue, Kwara, and Kaduna.

Submission and deliberation of the interim report on restructuring, lingering farmers and herdsmen clash in several parts of the country.

Also, the recent abduction of the schoolgirls from Dapchi, in Yobe State.

Buhari Meets With Three Northern Governors

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday held a meeting the three governors from the Northern region of the country.

The governors include Yobe State Ibrahim Geidam, Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal and Jigawa State, Badaru Abubakar.

Pictures Below…

 

Oyigbo Attack: Northern Governors Commend Wike’s Move In Restoring Peace

The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has commended the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike for taking urgent steps in protecting the lives of Nigerians in the state.

The governor made this known when he led a delegation of the Northern Governors Forum comprising of the Governors of Katsina, Aminu Bello Masari, Sokoto, Aminu Waziri, Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu and Plateau, Simon Lalong.

Governor Shettima said that the Northern Governors were in Rivers State to identify with Governor Wike and commend the governor for nipping the unfortunate conflict that erupted in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

The Northern Governors Forum said that the actions of Governor Wike, especially his state-wide broadcast helped to restore peace, despite the challenges.

“Governor Wike we are mightily proud of you. We are mightily associating ourselves with you. Nigeria is greater than political differences. We belong to one political family and that is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“No interest should be bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You believe in the Nigerian Project. For that, we remain eternally grateful “.

The Northern Governors Forum called for the enthronement of Peacebuilding measures despite the challenges facing the country.

According to the Northern Governors Forum, no law-abiding Nigerians deserve to be punished because of where they reside and do business.

Governor Shettima said despite the unfortunate incidents in Abia, steps have been taken to ensure that there are no retaliatory attacks in different parts of the country.

In his response, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared that he will continue to protect all Nigerians and foreigners living in the state.

“Rivers State believes in the unity of this country. Rivers State will not be a part of those calling for the disintegration of Nigeria. We owe it as a duty to protect every Nigerian living in the state.

“I will not allow any group intimidate, harass or attack other Nigerians living in the state. We are Rivers people and we belong to the Niger Delta “.

While stating that violence can never lead to the resolution of any grievances, Governor Wike urged those who are aggrieved to embrace dialogue in the interest of Peace and development.

“I am not against anyone who wants to protest any grievance, but there are channels for such protests”, he said.

Governor Wike added that the people of Rivers State have their own peculiar grievances against developmental issues in the country. He pointed out that as a Governor, he has raised such issues, but will never support the disintegration.

Okorocha Hosts Northern Governors In Imo

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha on Monday hosted some members of the Northern Governors Forum who paid him a solidarity visit.

The governors, who were received at the Government House in Owerri, were led on the visit by the chairman of the forum and Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima.

Among the northern governors that made the visit are Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Abubakar Sani of Niger State, and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State among others.

See photos below;

Shettima, Northern Governors Visit Ikpeazu In Abia

Six northern Governors led by the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Kashim Shettima, on Monday visited Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Abia State.

Among the northern governors that made the solidarity visit are Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Abubakar Sani of Niger State, and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

See photos of the visit below;