On Saturday, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) expressed deep concern that many people in Northern Nigeria are struggling to afford even one meal a day due to the persistent insecurity and socio-economic challenges affecting the region.
This was highlighted during a one-day community engagement in Katsina, chaired by Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, the fifth Wazirin Katsina. The event’s theme was: “Imperative of Popular Participation in Tackling Socioeconomic Challenges Bedeviling Nigeria Through Community Solutions.”
Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the National Coordinator of the CNG, emphasized the urgency of addressing the rampant insecurity plaguing the North. He noted that insecurity in the region has become pervasive, comparing it to a force “walking with its two legs.”
Charanchi called for a shift away from merely lamenting the situation, as it is evident to everyone that Nigeria faces severe issues.
He pointed out that people in the North are unable to afford even one meal a day, let alone three. Charanchi stressed that both the leaders and the citizens must take responsibility to overcome the region’s problems. He criticized the lack of political will from leaders to address these challenges, but also acknowledged that the community itself has a role to play.
The CNG’s objective, after a stakeholders’ roundtable in Abuja, was to engage local communities so that every member could contribute toward solving insecurity, economic hardship, and other pressing crises.
The meeting brought together selected leaders of various community organizations. Afterward, these leaders were tasked with disseminating the information to their communities to drive collective action. Charanchi expressed concern about the widespread corruption and noted that issues like insecurity, economic hardship, and the decline of infrastructure in education and health sectors were symptoms of a larger crisis of leadership.
He argued that true leadership requires individuals who are selfless, compassionate, and committed to the welfare of the country, likening such leaders to messengers of God. However, he lamented that the country is dominated by politicians focused on securing re-election rather than the future of the next generation.
Charanchi doubted whether current leaders have the moral integrity, fear of God, or sense of humanity to enact meaningful change. He called for communities to recognize their collective power and responsibility, asserting that true governance begins with the people, not the political elite.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, commended the CNG for organizing the event. He highlighted the state government’s efforts to combat insecurity, positioning Katsina as a role model in the North.
He urged the youth to reflect on the recent nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance, where some individuals turned peaceful demonstrations into violent ones. The governor emphasized the importance of dialogue over protest, noting the loss of lives and destruction of property during the protests.
Governor Radda’s representative reaffirmed that the state government has made significant strides in improving security, economic development, and various other sectors.
He advised the youth to prioritize peaceful dialogue as a solution to societal problems, warning against the destructive outcomes witnessed during recent protests.
