- Sani emphasized that high levels of criminal activity have significantly reversed progress
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has highlighted the detrimental impact of insecurity on multi-sectoral developments in northern Nigeria.
Speaking on Monday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Kaduna Government House, Sani emphasized that high levels of criminal activity have significantly reversed progress across various sectors in the region.
“Food insecurity now confronts us directly,” Sani stated. “Child and maternal mortality are on the increase; our infrastructure has decayed. The moves to address our infrastructural deficits are equally threatened by insecurity. From this very disturbing picture, it is clear that northern Nigeria faces an existential threat.”
Governor Sani urged the northern community to unite and develop a strategic approach to tackle the challenges. He also criticized the prevalent “toxic politics” and “pull him down syndrome” among northern politicians, which he believes hinder progress.
“We indulge in endless blame games, devoid of attempts at soul-searching or introspection,” he said. “We have failed to ask ourselves some vital questions. ‘Who are those complicit in the underdevelopment of the north? ‘What have we done individually and collectively to find solutions to the challenges facing the north?’ We must take a hard look at ourselves, tell ourselves some home truths, and move together to fashion a common strategy to address our developmental challenges and confront the criminals making life unbearable for our people.”
The visit by the ACF leadership underscored the urgent need for collective action to address the region’s escalating insecurity and developmental issues.