Segun Ojumu
Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has described the escalating security crisis, particularly across Nigeria’s northern region, as the “most troubling challenge” facing the country.
Speaking in Kaduna on Saturday at the 25th-anniversary celebration of the influential Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), President Tinubu stressed that urgent action is needed to restore safety, strengthen unity, and rebuild trust across communities.
The President, whose address was delivered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, highlighted that the security situation must be tackled “decisively” to avert further economic decline and educational setbacks.
“Nothing troubles me more gravely than the security crisis bedevilling Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria,” the President stated. “We cannot prosper when one limb of the national body is paralysed.”
President Tinubu acknowledged that his administration inherited “complex security challenges” but asserted that they are being addressed with “urgency and determination.”
Focus on Northern Nigeria
The government, he said, is committed to eliminating terrorist and bandit groups operating in the North. He also expressed optimism about the region’s economic future, citing his desire to see crude oil tankers begin operating from fields like Kolmani.
Key infrastructure projects, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Superhighway, are being fast-tracked for completion, according to the President.
He issued a strong call for regional leaders to speak with “honest and courageous voices” to address the challenges, cautioning that progress is impossible if vulnerable communities are not protected.
“We fail the day we sleep comfortably while millions sleep with empty bellies, the day fear becomes a permanent companion for travellers,” President Tinubu stated.
Despite decades of internal dysfunction straining unity, the President praised the ACF for its 25 years of service, describing it as the “conscience of Northern Nigeria” for consistently defending dignity and fairness. He stressed that the unity and stability of the North are vital to the overall peace and development of Nigeria.
Add Comment