The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described the ongoing widespread #EndSARS protests and youth restiveness in parts of Nigeria as a potent threat to the wellbeing of the nation.
ACF Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh, stated this while chairing the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Forum in Kaduna on Wednesday.
He however said the youths of the country and their demands could no longer be ignored, as doing so would be at the nation’s peril.
According to Ogbeh, who was the immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, “We must bring along the youth, our own children, reconnect with them, support them and even learn from them. We can no longer ignore them and their demands, as we only do so at our own peril.
“The current restiveness of the youth particularly in the North is a potent threat to the wellbeing of the region and the nation at large. It is my hope that now, more than ever before, is the time for all stakeholders to buckle up and save our children and secure their future.”
Speaking on the challenges bedeviling the northern region, the ACF Chairman said the region has many challenges including security, economic and political to deal with.
He therefore, stressed the need for the region to restrategise and refocus its energies towards addressing those challenges through investments in education, agriculture and industry.
“We have challenges, serious challenges to deal with. These are very well known to all of us. They are social, economic and political in nature. We can and must confront them headlong through investments in education, agriculture and industry.
“ACF has come a long way in its mission to safeguard the interest of the North. This could be done through the existence of strong state chapters who should be catalysts for purposeful engagement. I strongly urge you to take every step to ensure the existence and strengthening of ACF chapters in your respective states. It is also through you that we can expand our membership for effectiveness.
“We must be conscious of our unity both in the North and Nigeria at large. I wish to prevail on you to continue to exercise caution and passion to strengthen the unity of the nation within our strength.
“This is the year of our 20th anniversary whose elaborate celebration has been made impossible by the Coronavirus. This notwithstanding, we must make progress. In the face of current realities and pressing needs we must re-strategise and refocus our energies on new developments,” he said.
While urging members of the Forum to come together to grow the North, develop and unite Nigeria, Ogbeh expressed appreciation to members of the Forum for their kindness and goodness of heart in finding him suitable for the Chairmanship of ACF.
The meeting however moved into a closed door session.
