The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has declared that the Southern Kaduna crisis is being aggravated by the activities of some mischievous elements within the state and outside the region.

In a communique signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, at the end of the two day extraordinary meeting with traditional rulers on Tuesday in Kaduna, he extended the Forum's condolences to the Government and People of Borno State over the accidental bombing at Rann in Kala-Balge Local Government Area of the state whereby several lDPs lost their lives and thanks all those who have commiserated with the families of the victims.

He said the Forum also sympathized with the families of victims in Southern Kaduna who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident and assured all and sundry that the crises will soon be a thing of the past, as Kaduna State Government is on top of the situation.

He said the meeting also accepted the far-reaching recommendations of the Chairmen, Northern States Council of Emirs/Chiefs on the current security challenges and the socio-economic problems bedeviling the region.

The Chairman also expressed the Forum’s appreciation to the Council for their support, insight and for bringing to bear their vast experience on the issue of security and social well-being of the people.

“The forum directed the management of New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) to evolve a comprehensive Business Plan and present to the Forum at the April, 2017 meeting,” he said.

He said Governors of Kaduna and Sokoto states were mandated to lead in the discussion on power and financial institution respectively and report progress at the next meeting;

“Following submission of report of the Committee that undertook the Study of New Nigeria Newspapers Company Limited (NNN), the Forum further resolved to restructure the company to a modern media outfit,” the chairman said.

He added that the forum, in considered the progress report presented by the management of NNDC, noted the company’s achievements in the Oil and Gas Sectors, its partnership with Savannah Petroleum in the exploration of Oil at the Chad Basin, the effort of the company towards resuscitation of Kaduna Textiles Limited, establishment of a financial institution, exploration of solar power as an alternative source of energy, as well as solid minerals.

Shettima also stated that the Northern Governors in pursuance of the primary objective of securing lives and properties of citizens in their respective states as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, found it expedient to convene a Joint Extra Ordinary Meeting with Chairmen of the Council of Emirs/Chiefs of the respective Northern states.

“The Forum was briefed on the achievements of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation which includes, Free Medical and Scholarship Programmes, Vocational Training of about 2,700 youths in the North.

“The meeting expressed appreciation to the Foundation and noted the need to synergize the activities on similar organisations of Northern origin like Arewa Consultative Forum/Northern Elders Forum with the Foundation in order to achieve a common purpose,” Shettima added.

He said the meeting, held on Monday was overwhelmingly attended by all stakeholders including the leadership of Northern Elders Forum and Arewa Consultative Forum.

He said the Forum resolved to collectively tackle the issue of insecurity as one entity.

He explained that, although there are pockets of challenges in some parts of Northern Nigeria, the Forum wishes to put on record the efforts made by the Federal Government in curbing criminality in the polity.

“Indeed the greatest of our appreciation goes to Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

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