By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, on Wednesday joined fellow Northern Governor’s, Traditional Rulers and top Security officials at the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) meeting held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, hosted by Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani and chaired by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, was attended by eminent Traditional Rulers to include, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto; His Royal Highness, Umar Farouk Bahago, Emir of Minna; His Royal Majesty, Dr Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, Aku Uka of Wukari and Paramount Ruler of the Jukun Kingdom; His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar, Emir of Potiskum; His Royal Highness, Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya, Shehu of Borno; His Royal Highness, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi; and the Attah of Igala, Matthew Opaluwa Oguche Akpa II, who was represented by the Ejeh of Ankpa, Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed Yakubu, alongside other first-class traditional rulers from across the region.
The meeting focused on regional Security, Economic development, agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Constitutional reforms, amongst other strategic issues.
It also witnessed the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Northern States Security Trust Fund, chaired by Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, to strengthen regional collaboration in tackling insecurity and promoting lasting peace.
The Forum appointed former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and former Defence Minister and ex-HoS Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed as co-chairmen of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund Board.
Members include ex-COAS Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (Sokoto), ex-IGP Usman Alkali Baba (Yobe), ex-SGF Boss Mustapha (Adamawa), Sen. Napoleon Bali rtd AVM (Plateau), ex-DIG Hafiz Inuwa (Jigawa), AVM Kabiru Aliyu (Taraba), Prof. Usman Tar (Borno), Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko (Niger), AIG Sunday Babaji (Gombe), AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar (Kogi), Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani (Kano), Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (Kebbi), Maj. Gen. John Malu (Benue), Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Agbab (Kwara) and others.
Chairman of the forum Yahaya said the Fund will complement, not replace, FG and security agencies, and must be “focused, responsive and credible,” judged by protection of lives, not meetings.
The governors resolved each state plus LGs will contribute ₦1bn monthly for 12 months. Traditional rulers led by Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III endorsed it as long-overdue practical approach.
Representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Defence, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS) were also in attendance, alongside former Inspectors-General of Police, retired military, police and paramilitary officers, and former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation were in attendance.