By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida says only through unity can the north overcome its numerous challenges.

IBB made the assertion when officials of the Northern Star Youth Empowerment Initiative (NSYEI) led by Alh. Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State, and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the movement, accompanied by the co-chairperson Hajia Naja'atu Mohammed and its Director-General, Dr Abdullahi Idris, visited him at his Hill Top residence in Minna, Niger State.

The former Military President commended the activities of NSYEI, admonishing the movement to work hard to unite the north and ultimately the whole country.

He said: ?Only through unity can the north overcome its numerous challenges which makes the birth of Northern Star movement at this time both commendable and timely.?

IBB admonished the movement to be undeterred in the pursuit of its noble objectives.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Board of trustees of the movement, Alh Attahiru Bafarawa while tracing the history of the formation of the movement, said it was set up to unite the north and pursue all legitimate interests of the region.

Also speaking, the co-chairperson and its Director-General Hajiya Naja'atu and Dr Abdullahi respectively, reiterated the importance of unity among the diverse people of the north which, according to them, was the only way the region can pursue its interests as one strong consequential unit of the Nigerian federation.

They thanked the former president for his support and encouragement to the movement, promising not to let him and the region down.

?PHOTO: Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (middle), flanked by Alh. Attahiru Bafarawa former governor of Sokoto State and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Northern Star Youth Empowerment Initiative , NSYEI, the Co-chairperson Hajia Naja'atu Mohammed and its Director-General Dr Abdullahi Idris during their official visit to IBB at his Hill Top residence in Minna, Niger State.