By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna.
An all inclusive regional summit on the position of Northern Nigerian on the lingering multiple national issues confronting Nigeria has been scheduled to commence today 10th October Monday and tomorrow Tuesday, in Kaduna.
The summit which is titled; “A Pan-Northern Groups’ Summit in Kaduna”, organised by Northern Elders Forum (NEF), is expected to address many other challenges threatening country’s unity, under the current government.
The summit is also expected to bring other contending topical issues to the fore, with a view to discuss, address and find lasting solutions to them.
Addressing journalists during a pre-summit conference in Kaduna, Spokesperson of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, who is also the chairman organising committee said the forum is known for its stands in influencing opinions in the North and country in general that led to the change in government in 2015.
“We have continued to monitor political, social, economic and other forms of development in country with the particular focus on the North.
“We still believe that we can continue to influence events in the North and by implication influence events in the country, because this is a very large segment of the country and if things are not going well in the North, you can take it from me that not many things will go well in the rest of the country’ he noted.
Some other specific issues billed for discussion includes: political crises, instabilities exhibited in two major political parties and its consequences; corruption created and promoted by the existing political parties system, and calls for restructuring of the country, cessation of some parts, unhealthy relationships between 3 arms of government and 1999 constitution among them.
Others are Boko Haram insurgency, Niger Delta, South East Militancy, Banditry, robbery and kidnappings respectively. Pervasive poverty, economic hardship, policies and strategies religious, other forms of inter-communal relations like herdsmen/farmers subject.
According him, it has become imperative for Northerners across board, to come together, examine the situation and release the position, and chart a framework for action for key reference point in future national discourse.
He added that the summit is aimed at becoming instrumental in mobilising governments, stakeholders, and indeed, sensitising the Nigerian citizenry on the states of the nation.
The outcome of the summit, according to him, shall also provide a viable constructive platform at presenting a common and unified position of the North in any national dialogue.
