The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), in collaboration with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing insecurity and promoting sustainable development across the 19 northern states.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué presented by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, at the end of the joint meeting held on Wednesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna State Government House.
Northern Revenue Conference: Yusuf tasks states on collaborative tax reforms
A major outcome of the meeting was the endorsement of the establishment of State Police as part of broader efforts to strengthen security architecture and improve coordination in tackling banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities across the region.
The Forum also inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund to mobilise resources and support ongoing security operations. Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), were appointed Co-Chairmen of the Board.
To ensure the sustainability of the initiative, the Forum resolved that the governments of the 19 northern states would collectively contribute ₦1 billion monthly to the Security Trust Fund to bolster efforts aimed at restoring peace and enhancing public safety.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State was represented at the meeting by the Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, who joined fellow governors, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in deliberating on strategies to strengthen security and accelerate socio-economic development across Northern Nigeria.
Earlier, the host Governor, Senator Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, called on residents of the region to continue supporting security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.
They stressed that addressing insecurity requires collective action, noting that safeguarding lives and property is a shared responsibility that extends beyond government and security agencies.
Kano Participates as Northern Governors Establish Secretariat
The meeting also approved the composition of the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, with members drawn from the 19 northern states based on their track records and contributions to national development.