The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday revealed the reason why President Bola Tinubu deliberately appointed northerners into key offices.
According to Ribadu, the President picked northerners to take charge of strategic places because he wanted problems in the region squarely addressed.
The National Security Adviser stated this on Wednesday in Sokoto.
Ribadu made the revelation while delivering a lecture on “Navigating The Maze: Addressing Multi-Dimensional Insecurity Challenges In Northern Nigeria”. The programme was part of the activities marking the 38,39,40 and 41st combined convocation of Usmanu Danfordiyo University, Sokoto.
He lamented that the North was facing myriad of challenges, which from insecurity and out-of-school children, among others. He, also, added that, the poverty index in the region was alarming.
Ribadu said, “At the time he (Tinubu) was forming this government, he said the North was very dear to his heart. And 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. Tinubu also gave us Minister of Health and Foreign Affairs in his quest to turn around the fortune of the region.
“He gave us a 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.
Speaking on the insecurity in the region, Ribadu said the present Government had achieved a lot. He cited cases of some bandit commanders who were recently killed by security operatives. He also pointed to the tens of thousands of kidnapped victims 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 organized terrorism attacks by insurgents groups. Like their attacks on our train, military formations, and 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 worked.
“We will continue to work because we are not jokers. We are serious and in Sha Allah, Nigeria will see the difference,” he said
Ribadu pointed that Tinubu’s government is adopting counterinsurgency strategies aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the local population. He said the Government is isolating insurgents from their support base and preventing the recruitment of new members.
“These strategies involve engaging with communities, providing humanitarian assistance and promoting reconciliation and deradicalization programme.”
“This sort of approach is a core focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Its initiatives include infrastructural development, job creation, education and healthcare provision.
source: Daily Post
