?We have, over the years through our action or action, directly or indirectly allowed the gradual decent to present disagreeable and unacceptable behaviors in our communities and the entire North. We now must show seriousness, courage and responsibility in addressing these challenges squarely without fear, favor or mudslinging,? he said.
The conference was organised by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), with the theme ?Peace and Unity for Development,? to find solutions to the prevalent violence in the region. The event is expected to end today.
Gowon said the thrust of the conference was necessary in view of the recent challenges of insecurity and communal, religious and ethnic conflicts bordering on criminality and other forms of social unrest.
?All these are threatening to redefine the character of the once peaceful, united and promising nation and of particular concern to us is the development in the northern states. Therefore, this conference is concerned about the challenges and the need to salvage the legacies of our founding fathers which are showing signs of imminent collapse.
?What is happening today is not the Nigeria and the North we inherited and for us, it cannot be the North we desire to bequeath to our children. The present North was not bequeathed to us neither are our children responsible for it.?
Gowon said the North and Nigeria as a whole must remain united but all the various units must be given sense of belonging.
?I have been an ardent supporter and advocate of the views and differences within the North not withstanding and the nation as a whole, we are stronger as a whole than as smaller entities. This is very true to our nation, Nigeria. We are better as one united Nigeria than smaller entities. But at the same time, I am of the opinion that the whole, the big unit must give its various parts some sense of belonging and look out for the interest of the smaller parts as a guarantee for its own security,? he said.
?I am assured by the organizers of this conference that it will not be one for mere speeches, but concrete actions. I welcome this and the expectations of our people in all states of the North yearning for a peaceful and better life. I am assured that this conference is structured to effectively address the well-known challenges of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, ethno-religious bigotry, impunity in governance and corruption. It also intend to address the new phenomenon of� violent crimes evident by murder, assassination and bomb blasts which has caused serious economic break down in certain states in parts of the north and the country as a whole. This will go a long way to prove that there is no conspiracy of silence by the leadership in the northern states on the issue of peace and security in Nigeria.
?The fact that all the states of the North are supporting this noble effort is a testimony of our collective concern and we must translate our concerns to concrete actions in our various communities and at our various levels of leadership in the northern states for the good of the north and Nigeria as a whole.
?There are many questions that need to be raised and answered and there is no better time than now for the sake of our country. The nation expects the north to make certain sacrifices for their mutual wellbeing. We have a responsibility to restore confidence in our diverse people and ensure the prosperity of north within the context of a united Nigeria.?
He expressed confidence that the conference would come up with solutions to the crisis bedevilling the North.
?Given the passion for the current leadership of the ACF, I have no doubt in my mind that this conference marked the revival of the northern states and the restoration of its founding legacies in socio-cultural development, economic development, religious harmony, security, political growth within the context of one united Nigeria. In this regard, I call on all Nigerians to look at the existence of groups such as ACF, Ohaneze, South South Peoples Assembly, Afenifere, and Middle Belt and not have reasons to pull apart or break away as a nation, but based on strengthening our ties and entrenching our unity in diversity.
?These groups constantly remind us that we must continue to appeal to God to reengineer our corporate existence and cooperation as a nation by showing sensitivity and maintaining focus on our goal for a one united Nigeria. The north has always kept Nigeria together. The creation of states was one of the sacrifices of the north to keep Nigeria together,? Gowon said.
Among the leaders who spoke yesterday were Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented President Jonathan, Sultan Sa?ad Abubakar, Senate President David Mark, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah and former Kaduna Governor Ahmed Makarfi.
Yesterday?s event was also attended by governors, traditional rulers and other leaders of Northern extraction, including former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
The conference is expected to be concluded today.
More stories and photos from the conference on Pages 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Japan Canary Islands Madagascar Allen Stanford Consumer affairs Australia cricket team
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento