Words for Northern Elders and Youth
By Musa Abdullahi Sufi
AREWA AGENDA – Our Arewa (North) is one region that has been contending with too much backwardness, a place where we will continue to remain if all we do is lament without walking the talk.
On a very serious note, the disunity across politics, religion, ethnicity is one that call for sober reflection which will never allow us to move if we remain stuck there.
Our Arewa elders need to rise to the occasion and retrace their steps towards unity, in orderr to enable them speak with one voice towards collective and sustainable growth of the region.
Let’s revive the character and the characteristics, manner and mannerism, let the young learn from the mentorship of elders and never behaves as if they know better. The elders need to also extend elderly guide, love and share experience to the passionate youth.
Late Yusuf Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano is always remembered for such a wonderful guide and support. We need more of him now, more than ever before.
On their path, Northern youths must rise against laziness and forget about the clamour for white collar jobs especially from Government corridors, they must explore, expand thinking and network. They must understand the notion of starting from small and growing bigger, they must shun hate and religious gullibility in order to make meaning out of real progress.
Northern Development practitioners must live beyond expectation, use their earnings to support other initiatives that can make an additional impact on our community. It can be around education (especially Primary and Secondary Education), health, environment and empowerment to mention a few.
Our honourable politicians should remember that at Next Level, there is no excuse for not delivering your mandate from the President to Governors, Legislattures at State and Federal levels, Ministers and Ambassadors, SA, SSA, LGA chairmen to councillors. This is the time to act before you ask. The road is now very clear!
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Meanwhile, research is key to understand the need and yearnings of a people. Leaders must ensure effective consultations for what’s best for the people to move this region and the country at large forward. Bottom top approach is recommended through the community forum, FGD and in-depth interview with experts to get the right information for action.
The good elites of the North, it’s now high time you consider taking part fully into politics while the government should make political positions unattractive by Reviewing their earnings downwards. This review can enable only passionate and patriotic citizens join Politics in order to make an impact.
Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Gwarzo, a young Northerner in his early 40s already established Maryam Abacha American University, Niger (MAAUN) in Maradi. He is the founder and president of MAAUN. Prof is currently expanding towards establishing more in Kano City, Gwarzo LGA and Kaduna to kick start soon as MAAUN. He is walking the talk and contributing massively to education of Northerners, Nigerians and even non Nigerians.
Lastly, there is a need for a Northern youth and elders summit to review the Northern agenda. Key players should lead, and only youth and elders known with patriotism to be part of this action-driven union for Sustainable Development Agenda.
Northern governors, history will never forgive you if you failed to lead in the unity and integration of the region economically, security, jobs, transport, education, agriculture to mention but few.
The forethought and investment in rise production by the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu was an initiative that’s a slap on the face of Northern Governors. But it is not yet late, something can still be done.
Looking forward to the Next Level, Sustainable Development Initiatives for wholistic development of northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large.
Musa Abdullahi Sufi, a Medical and Development Geographer; Freelance and Humanitarian Journalist writes from Kano, Nigeria
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of young writers from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives
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