Re: Northern Nigeria economy free of oil revenues

Unfortunately for us, even the institutions of our ‘symbol unity’ are continuously being eroded due to neglect and indifference. At every gathering, we eulogize the great Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, but we neglect what he built and fail to build new ones. The challenges that we face are as a result of our […]

Unfortunately for us, even the institutions of our ‘symbol unity’ are continuously being eroded due to neglect and indifference. At every gathering, we eulogize the great Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, but we neglect what he built and fail to build new ones. The challenges that we face are as a result of our neglect to adhere to the core values we were known for: honesty, integrity, transparency, selflessness, just leadership, and fairness to all, irrespective of religion or tribe. Where are the men and women who, when they spoke, almost everyone would hearkened to them? Why do we not have a leader in the North who can command the respect of everyone and can direct or halt our actions, positively? When have we become so greedy that we are now so vulnerable? Where is our faith in knowledge that no one can deny us what God has destined for us? Have we had not people, never expected to rise to positions of top leadership in every human endeavour, but rose they did and performed remarkably? Why don’t we learn from history on how those, whose words were command but in the end became nobody?  So the North has all it takes for its people to be proud of and contribute substantially to the national economy. We did before; were we not respected and appreciated? Why the current clamour for oil exploration when we have the most important resource people?
Equip and harness the people, and they in turn will transform the region and tap its potentials for greatness. The vast land is suitable for agriculture.  We have a preponderance of solid minerals, but unfortunately, we have allowed our institutions to collapse. We can recall our previous attempts during which we trained our people where ever they could get quality education; we established schools of agriculture, crafts and others at the time the concept of entrepreneurship was not widespread as now. It’s true that some of the Northern states are doing well individually, but we need a unified programme of action to address our common development challenges, irrespective of our differences.
Let us unite for the common good and for prosperity of the region and the people. Let us get volunteers that are honest and courageous, to assemble themselves and be the vanguard for change and innovation in governance. Where are the men and women of goodwill who will want to be remembered for what they will have contributed in the service of humanity? They should step forward.

Lawal Kankia Ibrahim, Kaduna, <[email protected]>;