| NEWS
|
National
Metro
Africa
World
Business
|
|
|
| OPINION
|
Editorial
Columnists
Contributors
Letters
Cartoons
Discussions
Outlook
|
|
|
| SPORTS
|
Home
Abroad
Golf Weekly
Results
|
|
|
| FEATURES
|
Focus
Policy & Politics
Arts
Media
Science
Natural Health
Law
Education
Weekend
Friday Review
Executive Briefs
Fashion
Food & Drink
Auto Wheels
Friday Worship
Saturday Magazine
Sunday Magazine
Ibru Ecumenical Centre
Agro Care
|
|
|
|
|
Gowon, Gusau blame North's woes on poor leadership
From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna
FORMER Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and Elder Statesman and erstwhile Minister of Finance in the First Republic, Mallam Yahaya Gusau, have attributed lack of development in the northern part of the country to poor leadership of the current political leaders.
Both statesmen were at the inauguration of the members of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Council of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday where they frowned at the level of poverty and misery among Northerners in spite of huge resources from the Federal Government.
Gowon pointed out that "the serious conflicts and differences we have witnessed over the last few years in the country, particularly in the North, seem to emanate from economic or political causes or a combination of both, aggravated by ethnic or religious prejudices".
According to him, "any people, any organisation in any part of the country that seeks to exploit these problems and attempt to divide or barricade us into disparate, hostile and feuding enclaves must be severely condemned, and their sinister intentions frustrated by our united actions."
Gowon also noted that the actions of some northern leaders were embarrassing, saying: "We cannot spare words in deploring the growing tendency among groups and communities to promote and whip up sentiment and xenophobia against other northerners living and settling with them.
"Attacks against people because they do not belong to 'our tribe' 'our religion our territory' or 'social group' contravene the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, betray our ancestors' spirits of accommodation and deeply offend any good religion and God."
The octogenarian Gusau, on his part in a keynote address, said that the current leaders have not demonstrated enough sincerity of purpose to develop their various states in the North and the country in general.
His words: "I do not think there is anyone in this hall who has failed to notice the influx of special interest groups and agencies, mostly foreign-based, that have been coming forward with a variety of data and statistics to warn us about the real sickness of our country.
"Some are warning that poverty, both relative and absolute, among Nigerians, is escalating, that living conditions are getting more and more desperate, that corruption and profligacy have become endemic. They warn us also that an increasing proportion of Nigerians are dying in their numbers, a development which they say has emerged as a result of the growing misery and poverty ravaging our land".
Gusau argued that Nigerians and Northerners in particular "must liberate themselves from inaction and pious hopes for a better future".
He said: "The capacity of the state appears to be shrinking in the face of the deep economic stress, unregulated urbanisation and non-availability of basic services like water and electricity.
"To be sure, governments, federal, state and local, bear a major responsibility for our failures and they have a duty to lead in its resolution."
Others at the occasion included former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Emir of Zauzau, Dr. Shehu Idirs; Alhaji Zango Daura and representatives of the South-South geo-political zone as well as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has said with the establishment of the Committee on Political Reform Agenda, President Olusegun Obasanjo has finally heeded the request by advocates of Sovereign National Conference (SNC), National Conference or National Dialogue to address the problems of the nation.
Speaking at the ACF event, Makarfi pointed out that the committee, which he chairs, is expected to prepare a background paper or document that would be subjected to national discourse.
"I am speaking because Mr. President has appointed a committee, which I am chairing and that is the Political Reform Agenda Committee," he declared.
|
|
|
|
|
| BUSINESS SERVICES
|
Property
Appointments
Money Watch
Market Report
Capital Market
Business Travels
Maritime Watch
Industry Watch
Energy Report
Insurance
Compulife
|
|
|
|
|
