As the northern states battle to address security and other challenges crippling development across the region, the Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Inuwa Yahaya, has said that better education policy and effective entrepreneurship system will bring desired change that indigenes desired.
Yahaya stated that concentrating on education and entrepreneurship will assist the region unlock potentials and aid development across the region.
The governor disclosed this yesterday during a courtesy visit by 19 members of the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum (NGWF) to the State House.
He, meanwhile, acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the northern regions, including the alarming rate of out-of-school children, which has a negative impact on socio-economic development.
“It is unfortunate that our region has the highest rate of out-of-school children. Our people are yet to embrace the global development agenda,” he lamented.
The NSGF chairman noted that education brings development, change mindset, and improves lives of the youths when it is properly structured.
Yahaya added that it helps feed people through modernization and enables citizens to understand the dictates of their state. He also warned against insecurity and other problems in the north, noting that these challenges are capable of destabilizing the entire country and spreading turmoil across West Africa.
According to him, northern Nigeria’s size and population make it crucial for national peace and there is need for leaders in the region to sustain this inspite of the drug menace, illegal arms possession, and specific security challenges faced by different states in the north.
He noted the important roles the governor’s wives can play in uplifting the lives of the people, especially in areas such as women empowerment and fostering good governance, assuring them of his support.
“As chairman of the Northern State Governors’ Forum, I assure you of my support and that of the other governors and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Through Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are reviving hope and encouraging collaboration for a better Nigeria.”
Earlier, the First Lady, Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya, said that the NGWF engagement in Gombe would focus on women empowerment, drug and substance abuse, and the menace of out-of-school children, which are among the major issues affecting development in the northern region.”
