By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
Kaduna—The Arewa Consultative Discussion board (ACF) has expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity, poverty, and humanitarian challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, warning that terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping are more and more displacing communities and disrupting livelihoods.
The alarm was raised on Wednesday by ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, whereas delivering his welcome tackle on the Discussion board’s 79th Nationwide Govt Council (NEC) assembly held on the ACF Secretariat in Kaduna.
Osuman mentioned the area has continued to face grave difficulties because the final NEC assembly in August 2025, citing pure disasters, lack of lives, and harsh residing situations as components compounding the plight of residents.
“Terrorism, armed banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping are on the rise, as witnessed in Kwara, Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, and different areas. The results have been devastating, with households and communities violently uprooted and displaced,” he mentioned.
In response to the chairman, these displacements have led to overcrowded camps and casual settlements with restricted entry to important companies, heightening the dangers of malnutrition and mortality amongst survivors.
He added that repeated assaults and the prevailing local weather of concern have disrupted training by way of faculty closures, strained rural economies, and discouraged entry to farming, healthcare, and journey.
Osuman famous that the size of insecurity has change into so extreme that exterior army help has been required, underscoring the urgency for coordinated motion.
“Our existence as a socio-cultural organisation should not be merely ceremonial or rhetorical; it have to be principled, honest, sacrificial, and action-driven,” he acknowledged, urging state chapters to have interaction constructively with governments in any respect ranges in pursuit of peace, stability, and civil rehabilitation of affected communities.
He additionally cautioned towards political distractions forward of the 2027 elections, observing that some rising teams seem extra centered on electoral methods than on urgent points akin to out-of-school youngsters, starvation, poverty,and so forth.
and chronic assaults.
Whereas acknowledging that some elected and appointed officers have supported the Discussion board, Osuman mentioned many leaders stay disconnected from ACF’s aspirations and programmes.
The chairman referred to as on members to stay honest and purposeful of their deliberations, stressing that the welfare of the downtrodden should stay central to the Discussion board’s engagements.
Highlighting inner developments, he disclosed that the Nationwide Working Committee (NWC) had endorsed the creation of extra committees, together with a nine-member Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee to strengthen institutional governance.
The committee is to be headed by Professor Nuhu Mohammed Jamo, a former Dean of the School of Regulation at Ahmadu Bello College, Zaria, and a authorized guide to the Nationwide Meeting on the assessment of the 1999 Structure.
Osuman additional urged members to function strictly in step with the ACF Structure, keep away from sensationalism, and give attention to programmes that advance the restoration, survival, and welfare of the area’s individuals.
Because the nation approaches one other election cycle, he emphasised the necessity for ACF to cooperate with related authorities to make sure peaceable and credible polls whereas educating residents on their civic obligations.
“The State of the Nation is on the agenda. Positions taken have to be fact-based, and audio system ought to suggest sensible options that can information treatment, restoration, and progress,” he added.
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