John Shiklam in Kaduna
Governors of the 19 northern states, under the aegis of Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), tuesday declared that mischievous elements within and outside Kaduna State were aggravating the incessant killings in the southern part of the state.
In a communique issued at their two day meeting which held at the Government House, Kaduna, the governors, while expressing sympathy with the state over the killings, assured that “the crises will soon be a thing of the past, as the Kaduna State Government is on top of the situation.”
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting which lasted until about 6:00 pm on Tuesday, governors said they will unite to collectively tackle the security challenges facing the region.
“Although these are pockets of challenges in some parts of Northern Nigeria, the Forum wishes to put on record the efforts made by the federal government in curbing criminality in the polity.
“Indeed the greatest of our appreciation goes to Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, for provding the necessary leadership to the country to subdue Boko Haram insurgency and the drive to rid the country of all forms of vices that bedevil our society,” the communique said.
The communique which was read by the Chairman of the NSGF and governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said it was expedient to convene a Joint Extra Ordinary Meeting with Chairmen of the Council of Emirs/Chiefs of the respective northern states to discuss the challenges facing the region.
The forum also accepted the recommendations of the body of the Attorneys General of the 19 Northern States to domesticate the model penal code, model Fiscal Responsibility Law and the model Administration of Criminal Justice Law through the necessary legislative actions, subject to the individual peculiarities of the states in order to ensure transparency, prudent management of public funds as well as smooth dispensation of criminal justice in the region.
The forum also accepted “ far-reaching recommendations of the Chairmen, Northern States Council of Emirs/Chiefs on the current security challenges and the socio~econoinic problems bedeviling the region” although the recommendations were not made public.
The forum also mandated the governors of Kaduna and Sokoto States to lead in the discussion on power and financial institution respectively and report progress at the next meeting of the forum.
The Forum “extend its condolences to the Government and People of Borno State over the accidental bombing at Rann of Kala-Balge Local Government whereby several lDPs lost their lives and thanks all those who have commiserated with the families of the victims.
“Similarly, the forum sympathises with the families of victims in Southern Kaduna who lost their lives during the unfortunate incident and assured all and sundry that the crises will soon be a thing of the past, as Kaduna State Government is on top of the situation.
“ The forum noted that the crisis is being aggravated by the activities of some mischievous elements within the state and outside the region” the communique said.
