Northerners urged to stop blaming others for economic, security woes- Prof Yusuf
By Ahmed Kaigama
Former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Prof. Usman Yusuf, has advised Northerners to take responsibility for the region’s current economic and security challenges.
Yusuf speaking as Chairman of a one-day Consultative Forum organized by the Tafiya Matasan Arewa (Northern Youths Movement) in Bauchi on Saturday, he emphasised that the region’s problems are self-inflicted.
Yusuf pointed out that Northerners voted out the previous administration in 2015, only to face worse challenges today.
He criticised the failure to complete the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road despite having a President from the North for eight years. In contrast, billions of naira have been allocated for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The prof. attributed the region’s insecurity and banditry to internal factors, rather than external forces.
Yusuf expressed disappointment with the North’s leadership, citing the lack of viable projects completed during Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency.
The former NHIA executive secretary emphasised the need for Northerners to take charge of their peace and security, rather than relying on the Armed Forces.
He attributed the region’s divisions to deliberate efforts to create enmity between Fulani and other groups.
Yusuf urged the youth to rise up and act, as the current generation of leaders has failed.
Earlier, Alhaji Mohammed Zazzagawa The National Chairman the Movement, has called on members to eschew religious and ethnic bigotry, protests, and thuggery in order to foster development in the region.
“The region’s progress is being hindered by unnecessary conflicts and divisions along religious and ethnic lines,” he
He emphasised that the movement’s primary objective is to promote unity, peace, and development among Northern youths.
