By Na’ima Musa Umar
The second day of the NNGF programme broadened conversations on the future of the region, as leaders examined the institutions, ideas and partnerships needed to address Northern Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
Among those at the high-level engagements was His Excellency, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, whose participation brought Kano State’s perspective to discussions centred on giving fresh direction to regional efforts in addressing the issues confronting the North.
A major highlight of the day’s proceedings was the official launch of the Northern Governors’ Forum Temporary Secretariat, an important step towards providing the Forum with a more permanent institutional framework for coordinating regional initiatives.
Director-General of the Forum, Dr. Ezekiel Gomos said the time had come for the Forum to move beyond temporary arrangements by laying the foundation for an institution capable of giving continuity to its vision.
He explained that the Secretariat was created to coordinate research, document the Forum’s activities, monitor the implementation of resolutions and serve as a meeting point for governments, development partners, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector.
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Governors, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Governor of Kebbi State, described the Secretariat as a timely addition that would provide the Forum with a functional workspace and improve coordination among member states.
He urged Northern leaders to make the platform count by sharing ideas, learning from one another’s experiences and pursuing solutions to issues that extend beyond state boundaries.
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Offering a broader reflection on the region’s journey, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the NNGF recalled a period when Northern Nigeria pursued common priorities through a shared regional outlook.
While noting that the creation of more states brought governance closer to the people, he observed that it also reduced the level of regional coordination that once existed, making the Forum an important avenue for rebuilding that spirit.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the launch of the Temporary Secretariat as the Forum’s full take-off, expressing confidence that it would pave the way for a permanent headquarters already in view.
He also noted that the operational vehicles presented during the inauguration were contributed by member states, describing the gesture as a clear expression of the governors’ collective resolve to give the Forum a solid institutional footing.
The Chairman further drew attention to the region’s growing population, particularly its young people, saying the rising demand for quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities and other essential services requires thoughtful planning.
He added that insecurity, communal conflicts, poverty and the increasing number of out-of-school children remain issues that deserve sustained attention if the region is to make meaningful progress.
Throughout the engagements, one message resonated across the various presentations: Northern Nigeria’s challenges require continuity of ideas, regular consultation and an institution capable of carrying collective decisions beyond conference halls into actions that improve the lives of the people.
The second day’s deliberations therefore added fresh depth to the conversations that began at the opening session, offering a clearer picture of the role the Northern Governors’ Forum Secretariat is expected to play in shaping the region’s next chapter.
Na’ima Musa Umar is A/Public Relations Officer, Office of the Deputy Governor, Kano State