Perturbed by myriad socioeconomic and political challenges of the Northern region, a former Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Attahiru Bafarawa has formed another pan-Arewa sociocultural organisation.
The Non-Governmental Organisation tagged, Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative was launched at historic Arewa House, Kaduna on Wednesday in the presence of representatives from the 19 Northern states.
Bafarawa said that the Forum is apolitical and do not intend to transform into or align with any political party, saying it’s me mission transcends politics, adding that the Forum is ever ready to embrace all ethnic nationalities in the region regard of any sentiment.
Bafarawa, who is the convener and leader of the Forum, further said that members are free to align with any political party of their choice, emphasising that the group would support any member to champion their objectives while in position of authority.
The former governor said that the Forum’s main aims and objectives are to pursue collective interest of the entire North and its diverse people.
The Chairman of the occasion, General John Temlong said that the Forum represents the collective interest of North that refuses to be defined by myriad challenges but rather by its capacity to overcome them.
He said the initiative embodies timeless values that always defined the North as a monolithic region.
He charged the leadership and membership to carry the burden, hopes and aspirations of millions of Northerners, stating that the Forum marks beginning of a journey that would be remembered as a turning point for lasting peace and sustainable development.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Forum, Dr. Abdullahi Idris said that the Forum is not created out of isolation, but as a result of extensive reflection, dialogue and robust engagement across communities and the divides grounded in a simple, yet powerful conviction that the challenges facing the region can only be addressed through genuine collaboration, mutual understanding and common agenda for peace, unity and development.
He stated some of the region’s potentials and diversities in cultures, languages, traditions, which he said, had played vital roles in shaping the nations identity, while lamenting that, recently the region has been tested by persistent insecurity, instability, economic hardship and deepening social fragmentations.
Idris asserted that the Forum’s formation is timely and strategic effort seeking to foster dialogue where there is silence as well as rebuild trust eroded and create opportunities where there are none.
‘The task ahead is tedious, while progress will not be immediate, but the stakes are too high and the cost of inaction too great for us to remain idle’, he said.
He congratulated the new leadership of the Forum and charged them to be committed, dedicated and diligent in actualising the objectives of the Forum for the good of all.
