.Think ‘out of the box,’ says Masari .
The Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Sokoto State Chief Executive, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has expressed confidence that with greater collaboration between the heads of governments in Sahel region to re-establish peace, the end of security challenges bedeviling the region is near.
Tambuwal, who made this declaration in Katsina on Tuesday at the start of a one – day multi-lateral security meeting of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi States with the State of Maradi, Republic of Niger, lauded the support and collaboration of the President of Nigeria and his Niger Republic counterpart that made the high level meeting a reality.
He appealed to the two leaders to drive the process for the reestablishment of peace in the Sahel region.
He said: “It is when we are able to work together that we can achieve this very important objective. Without peace, there cannot be development. So, we must imbibe the culture of cooperating among ourselves.”
Tambuwal added: “I believe by the grace of God, by the time we continue with this high level meeting and collaboration between our two countries and indeed, the whole of Sahel region, the end (of insecurity) is indeed near.”
Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, in his welcome address, asserted: “The participants are therefore expected to think ‘out of the box’ and provide credible tips and concrete suggestions that will assist the affected state governments in collaboration with the security agencies to discharge this all – important responsibility successfully.”
Masari emphasized that though federal, state and local governments had done a lot to see to the end of the lingering security challenges, they should continue to explore ways and strategies that would guarantee peace and socio – economic development for the populace.
Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Sen. Hassan Mohammed, assured the readiness of the state to implement whatever resolution made by the stakeholders and the communiqué that would arise, while commending efforts of the Governor of Maradi Region, Chaibou Aboubacar, in convening the meeting.
Speaking, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, of Kebbi State, represented by his deputy, Col. Samaila Yombe (retd), warned that the multilateral collaboration would only achieve the desired goal if the stakeholders could face their current daunting challenges collectively.
He also called for a concrete plan on how the security agencies and operatives would fight the insecurity.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to Katsina State on Security Matters, Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina, hailed the meeting as “a brotherhood driven approach towards problem solving, especially when problems and challenges seem to be complicated and overwhelming.”
He appealed to the affected front line states and other critical stakeholders to find lasting and adoptable solutions to their problems and challenges as they affect security.
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