President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed northerners into key positions because of his resolve to address all the challenges in the region.
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, stated while delivering a lecture at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto on Thursday.
The lecture titled, “Navigating The Maze: Addressing Multi-Dimensional Insecurity Challenges In Northern Nigeria,” was part of the activities marking the combined convocation of the university.
“At the time he (Tinubu) was forming this government, he said the North was very dear to his heart that he would do everything to address its challenges.
“This is why he appointed northerners into key offices. He handed over security and Defence to the North. He gave us both ministers for Agriculture and Education. He also gave us Minister of Health and Foreign Affairs in his quest to turn around the fortune of the region.
“He gave us chance. Now the rest is on us, we northerners. Lets put our differences aside and work for the betterment of our region and Nigeria,” he said
Ribadu lamented that, the North was facing myriad of challenges, ranging from insecurity and out-of-school children, among others, adding that, the poverty index in the region was alarming.
On the insecurity, he said the present government has achieved a lot citing some bandits leaders who were recently killed by security operatives and tens of thousands of kidnapped victims were rescued without paying a dime.
“As I am talking to you, there is no known case of student abduction of students that is unresolved anywhere in the country. And where are bandits’ leaders like Ali Kawaje, Boderi, Damina and Dangote, they have all been eliminated.
“In the past we have had cases of organised terrorism attacks by insurgents groups like what their attacks on our train, military formations, or churches. Since we got in there has not been anything like that.
“And go to Niger Delta, it is peaceful today. In the East people were been stopped and killed, there were over 40 police stations shut down but all of them are now functional. All these changes happened because we work.
“We will continue to work. We are not jokers. We are serious and in Sha Allah Nigeria will see the difference,” he said
According to Ribadu, Tinubu’s government was adopting counterinsurgency strategies aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the local population, isolating insurgents from their support base and preventing the recruitment of new members.
