By HUSSAINA YAKUBU

Prominent traditional rulers, former government officials and political leaders on Saturday converged in Kaduna to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

There was also the launch of its endowment fund, with renewed calls for unity, security and agricultural transformation in Northern Nigeria.

In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa?ad Abubakar III, said Nigeria?s strength lied in its diversity, stressing the need for the citizens to understand one another rather than attempt to eliminate their differences.

He added that various religious and ethnic groups in the hall reflected Nigeria?s richness, just as the late Ahmadu Bello once emphasised understanding, not forgetting, differences.

The Sultan urged unity without antagonism, reminding citizens that mutual respect remained the foundation of a stable nation.

He emphasised the need for leaders to focus on solutions to national challenges and lamented the lack of consistent implementation of policies.

According to him, the ACF must reflect deeply on its achievements over the last 25 years and chart a stronger, more effective direction for the next quarter century.

He commended the ACF leadership for organising a successful programme and reaffirmed the need for all Nigerians to work together as members of one ?party the party of Nigeria.?

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who was recognised as a ?Friend of the North,? said traditional rulers remained custodians of peace and must continue promoting coexistence across the country.

He said Northern Nigeria, like the entire nation, was greater than any individual, and urged stakeholders to focus on the region?s positive attributes while addressing challenges collaboratively.

The traditional ruler thanked the ACF for its 25-year-journey and for uniting leaders to reflect on the region?s future.

He warned that security challenges should not define the North, adding that even highly developed countries faced worse security concerns but continued to brand themselves positively.

He urged leaders to work together to rebrand the North in a way that would attract investment and strengthen national unity.

According to him, the region must highlight its strengths and leverage them for the benefit of Nigeria.

The former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, described the ACF as a pillar of unity and a vital platform for addressing Northern challenges over the past 25 years.

He said the next phase of Northern development must be anchored on a coherent, home-grown agenda that prioritises security, governance, education and economic transformation.

Buratai added that true political neutrality should not translate to a lack of direction.

He said the persistence of food insecurity despite the North?s vast arable land remained unacceptable, arguing that the region must prioritise massive investment in agriculture.

According to him, mechanised farming and youth engagement in agribusiness would curb hunger, inflation and insecurity, while positioning the region as Nigeria?s food basket.

He described the ACF Endowment Fund as a strategic step toward long-term development.

The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, commended the ACF for the invitation and said his contributions to the North, including rail projects, were motivated by national service rather than regional affiliation.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to continue preaching unity and said injustice remained the major problem holding the country back.

Amaechi said fairness and equal treatment must guide governance for Nigeria to overcome its challenges.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, said the ACF provided a crucial platform for Northern leaders to collectively proffer solutions within the broader national context.

He said Nigeria?s recent classification by the United States as a country of concern did not reflect the reality within Nigeria, which he described as a united and cohesive nation.

Bagudu urged Nigerians to support ongoing reforms aimed at building prosperity.

He stressed the importance of drawing attention not only to challenges but also to the gains being recorded, adding that unity and cooperation were essential for sustaining government achievements.

He applauded the forum for strengthening dialogue over the past 25 years.

Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, described the ACF as a bridge builder committed to the unity and progress of Northern Nigeria.

He said insecurity remained the region?s biggest challenge but assured that Northern governors, traditional rulers and the federal government were jointly working on long term solutions.

According to him, the ACF had been instrumental in supporting these efforts.

Namadi attributed the root causes of insecurity to poverty, adding that the North had enough resources to overcome it through agricultural transformation.

He said deliberate investment in agriculture would provide jobs and improve livelihoods, thereby strengthening peace and security.

The Governor expressed confidence that with the support of the ACF and the federal government, the North would transform its agricultural landscape.

He called for renewed commitment to unity, security and development as the organisation begins its next 25 years of service to Northern Nigeria and the country at large. (NAN)

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