TRAVELOGUE: Kaduna Almajiris and A Parley Inside Arewa Forum’s House By Lawal Dahiru Mamman
On the cool morning of Friday, 22nd August 2025, I departed from the PRNigeria Abuja office, bound for Kaduna—the “Centre of Learning.” A gentle drizzle bathed the highway, leaving the landscape lush and glistening, while the crisp air carried a freshness that seemed to whisper of reflection and discovery.
It was not just a trip; it was a journey into the heart of Arewa—Northern Nigeria—and an opportunity to witness history, engage in dialogue, and perhaps, contribute to reshaping the region’s story.
From Abuja’s city centre through Bwari Area Council, down to Kagarko and Jere, the road offered scenes that spoke louder than words. In Jere community, though it was barely 7 a.m., children already lined the roadside, bowls in hand, waiting for a “bawan Allah”—a God-sent token from kind strangers to fund their first meal of the day.
The sight was sobering, threatening to define Arewa solely through poverty. Yet, I reminded myself that beyond this reality lay countless untold stories of resilience, innovation, and hope. To distract myself from the unsettling images of hungry children, I unfolded a newspaper I had packed along, turning eagerly to the opinion columns.
Two essays in particular caught my attention. One writer lamented the frequent deaths from illegal mining in Jos, Zamfara, and Nasarawa—tragedies often dismissed because the victims were “sons and daughters of nobody.” Yet, the columnist didn’t stop at lamentation; he offered solutions.
The second essay highlighted insecurity, economic hardship, and the menace of out-of-school children—an unending reminder of the North’s daunting challenges. Their words, heavy yet compelling, sharpened my anticipation for the “Roundtable Meeting with Influencers and New Media Platforms” awaiting me in Kaduna.
By 9 a.m., I arrived in the Crocodile City and hailed a taxi to the Secretariat of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). The roundtable was part of activities marking the Forum’s silver jubilee. Convened by the Subcommittee on Social Media, the gathering brought together young journalists and influencers—an overdue step, considering the absence of younger voices within ACF’s leadership for so long.
The session, chaired by former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alongside ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), and Secretary-General, Murtala Aliyu, offered profound historical reflections. The North’s story has been turbulent—scarred by inter-ethnic rivalries, religious conflicts, and class hostilities.
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Following the 1914 amalgamation, it took 25 years before Northern Nigeria produced its first graduate, Barua Dikko, in 1939. Out of this history of marginalisation, leaders birthed the ACF in 2000 as a platform for unity, peace, and development.
The Forum’s objectives remain ambitious: protecting Northern interests in the federation, promoting good governance, preserving cultural values, and fostering national cohesion built on fairness and equity. Over the years, it has played notable roles in conflict resolution, youth and women empowerment, advocacy for security, and policy engagement.
But the silver jubilee also prompted hard questions: Has the ACF lived up to expectations? Has the North truly advanced under its watch? Does the Forum still embody its founding ideals?
One insight stood out—the necessity of youth involvement. In today’s digital age, participation of young voices is not optional but imperative. With over 70% of Nigerian youth consuming information online, digital storytelling has become the dominant shaper of opinions and identities.
For the ACF to remain relevant, its legacy of peacebuilding must now be amplified through younger storytellers. Yet challenges remain. Many young Northerners perceive the ACF as elitist, dominated by political heavyweights and wealthy figures. Some accuse it of ageism, where the elderly overshadow and dismiss the youth as inexperienced.
At the roundtable, participants stressed the urgency of reclaiming Arewa’s narrative from outsiders who have long branded the North with derogatory labels—“aboki,” “illiterate,” “almajiri.” The event was therefore more than a reflection on 25 years of ACF’s existence—it was a call to chart a forward-looking course.
The responsibility lies heavily on the shoulders of young Northerners, especially journalists and influencers, to reshape Arewa’s identity. As the discussions drew to a close, I offered my own reminder: while entertainment is important, the media’s greater responsibilities are education, information, and enlightenment.
Too often, influencers prioritise entertainment at the expense of substance, reinforcing the notion that youth lack the depth to contribute meaningfully in serious spaces such as the ACF. For Arewa to flourish, young Northerners must embrace ownership—learning from history, engaging with the present, and preparing for the future.
That bridge between yesterday’s legacy, today’s struggles, and tomorrow’s possibilities is not just the North’s lifeline—it is Nigeria’s. And as I stepped out of the historic walls of ACF Headquarters into the bustling Kaduna streets, I realised that my journey had been more than a travelogue—it was a call to action.
For in the laughter of Almajiri children, the echoes of old history, and the voices of today’s youth lies the promise of a greater tomorrow for Arewa, and for Nigeria.
Lawal Dahiru Mamman writes from Abuja and can be reached at: [email protected].
