A group under the aegis of the Arewa Grassroot Leaders Assembly has urged President Bola Tinubu to implement policies that address the special needs of the people in the northern part of the country.

The group also expressed readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government for the benefit of the region.

The President General of the Assembly, Mr. Onogu Collins Monday, who spoke at a press conference weekend in Abuja, however, commended the President for implementing several projects across the country that have direct impact on the lives of the people.

Monday specifically urged Tinubu to reconsider policies that may negatively impact Northern Nigeria, such as inadequate funding for critical infrastructure and social services, and insufficient representation in key government positions.

“We request increased military presence and community-led initiatives to enhance security, particularly in the face of persistent threats from banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

“We also propose investments in agriculture, education, and entrepreneurship programmes to stimulate economic development and address poverty and unemployment,” he said.

Monday further advocated for improved access to quality education and vocational training to address the alarming rates of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria

On healthcare, he recommended increased funding for primary healthcare facilities and personnel to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services.

The group, however, acknowledged President Tinubu’s efforts to prioritise funding for agriculture and education, as well as maintaining good relations with Nigeria’s neighbours.

“The prioritisation of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway and the Trans-Saharan Highway, and measures to fast-track the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, are commendable,” Monday said.

While stressing the need for collective efforts to address the challenges facing the Northern region, he disclosed that the Assembly is making arrangement to host a security summit that would bring together at least 5,000 grassroots and community leaders.

According to him, the summit would be held after consultation with security heads and critical stakeholders.

“We aim to discuss community-led initiatives to enhance security, identify areas of collaboration with security agencies, and develop a comprehensive plan to address insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

“We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for Northern Nigeria and contribute to a more prosperous, united Nigeria,” he stressed.

Also speaking, the National Treasurer of the Assembly, Hon. Rukaya Salihu-Umar, said emphasis was being given to insecurity “because there are many factors attached to it which has hindered a lot of things like education, health, economic development, etc.”

“When insecurity is tackled, you know, there will be improvement healthcare, education, service delivery, all these things. Because right now as we are talking to you, most people cannot go to their farms until they negotiate with the bandits. They give them money to allow them to farm. So, I want to say an end to this,” she said.

While lamenting the rate at which people are being kidnapped, killed and displaced in their homes, she said: “Now there are high increase of widows and orphans.

“There are high rates of out-of-school children on the streets. If these things are not taken care of, in the future, they are people that will become armed robbers or bandits.”

In his remarks, the National Publicity Secretary of the Assembly, Chief Joel M. Mawash, stressed the need for unity and collaboration among the people in order to address insecurity in the Northern part of the country.

“I want to put it in this way. There is no person who will come to your house and steal without that person knowing your house. And in knowing your house, he knows every nooks and corners of your house before he succeeds.

“In the Grassroot Leaders’ Assembly, we want to identify among ourselves who are those people that other people are using to destabilize our region. That is why, as grassroot leaders, we need to work with our community leaders.

“Sometimes, our elected councillors at the grassroots are the foundation, the pioneers, and the leaders who knows nooks and crannies of every community.

“So, the government need to work together with councillors, even former councillors, because as a councillor, you come from a community, you know the bad people, you know the good people.

“In trying to get to arrest the situation, our religious and also, community development association leaders must not be left out,” Mawash said.

Grassroot leaders urge Tinubu to focus on policies that address North’s special needs