Arewa Discussion Group Launched to Tackle Northern Challenges
A new initiative, the Arewa Discussion Group (ADG), has been unveiled with the aim of addressing the escalating crises of insecurity and poverty plaguing Nigeria’s northern communities. Led by Dr. Garba Abari, the group seeks to galvanize northern elders, leaders, and influential citizens to collectively find solutions and restore hope in the region.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Abari acknowledged the widespread perception among northerners that their leaders have been ineffective in confronting the region’s challenges. He highlighted the “tragic circumstances” under which many northern communities live, emphasizing the urgent need for a unified voice and concerted action. “A recurring concern among most northerners is the seeming ineffectiveness of northern elders, leaders of thought, and other elite,” Abari stated, attributing a sense of “exposure and hopelessness” to the absence of a strong, singular voice advocating for the North.
However, Dr. Abari countered this perception, asserting that many northern elders and elites “care deeply about the state of the North” and are eager to contribute to solutions.
The ADG has outlined several key objectives:
Platform for Engagement: To provide a forum for northern elders, leaders, and concerned citizens to rekindle a spirit of service and engagement.
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Understanding and Solutions: To foster a deeper understanding of the North’s challenges and proffer effective solutions.
Assurance and Support: To reassure northerners that their leaders are actively working to address their problems.
Cohesion and Strategy: To devise strategies for promoting cohesion among northern leaders and leveraging it for the benefit of the people.
Propagating Endowments: To develop mechanisms for showcasing the vast potential and resources of the North and its people.
Media Collaboration: To work with media outlets to develop advocacy and mobilization materials for northern socio-political interests.
Demographic Mobilization: To mobilize and organize the northern population, especially women and youth, for political engagement and the future development of the North and Nigeria.
Dr. Abari emphasized that the ADG is non-partisan, with its membership spanning across all political parties, including founding members of major Nigerian political parties, as well as apolitical individuals. This diverse representation, he noted, is intended to foster a broad-based and inclusive approach to tackling the region’s multifaceted issues.
The launch of the Arewa Discussion Group signals a renewed effort from within the North to confront its challenges head-on, aiming to foster unity and drive collective action for a more secure and prosperous future.
By PRNigeria
