By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Sokoto Nigeria – July 10, 2015 | Newspointer News
Former Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Attahiru Bafarawa, has launched a new Pan-Arewa sociocultural organisation aimed at fostering peace, unity and development across Northern Nigeria.
The initiative, known as the Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative, was inaugurated on Wednesday at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna, with delegates from the 19 Northern states in attendance.
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Bafarawa said the forum is non-partisan and will not transform into a political platform. He stressed that the body was created to serve the collective interests of Northern Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
“We are not here for politics,” he said. “Members are free to belong to any political party of their choice. Our focus is to support the North and promote its development agenda.”
According to the former governor, the forum has developed a comprehensive blueprint to drive its goals, based on a deep assessment of the region’s challenges and potentials.
Chairman of the occasion, retired General John Temlong, described the initiative as timely. He said it reflects the North’s resilience in the face of insecurity, poverty and political instability.
“This forum is a symbol of hope for the region,” Temlong said. “It represents the values that have historically united the North and the determination to overcome our challenges.”
Also speaking, the Director-General of the forum, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, said the initiative was born out of extensive consultation and dialogue across communities.
He noted that the North’s cultural and ethnic diversity has long been a strength, but lamented that recent years have been marked by growing insecurity, economic hardship and social fragmentation.
“Our aim is to rebuild trust where it has broken down and create opportunities where they are lacking,” Idris said. “We are not here to duplicate efforts but to collaborate and connect existing ones.”
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He called for commitment from the newly inaugurated state leaders of the forum, urging them to pursue its objectives with dedication and discipline.
“The road ahead will be tough, and progress will be gradual,” he said. “But the cost of doing nothing is far greater.”
The highlight of the event was the official unveiling of the forum by General Temlong.
