The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has unveiled a comprehensive eight-point agenda aimed at driving the social and economic renewal of Northern Nigeria, with a strong focus on human capital development, value reorientation and institutional strengthening.

The blueprint was presented at the foundation’s monthly virtual mentorship meeting, where policy expert, Hajiya Maryam Uwais delivered a paper titled: ‘The North: Our women, our youth, our children – Rebuilding our value system.’

She stressed that beyond insecurity, poverty and unemployment, the region’s deeper challenge lies in the erosion of values, weak institutions and inadequate investment in its people.

Uwais, a former special adviser to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, urged stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach that addresses both socio-economic and moral deficits in the region.

In its communiqué, the foundation called on governments to urgently reduce the number of out-of-school children by expanding access to quality education.

It recommended the rehabilitation of schools, recruitment and training of teachers, provision of learning materials, deployment of digital infrastructure and improved school safety.

The group also highlighted the need to empower youths through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, digital literacy and vocational training.

It emphasised support for agribusiness, renewable energy, mentorship, internships and startup financing as critical to tackling unemployment and unlocking the region’s youthful potential.

On gender inclusion, the foundation called for strengthened support for women through improved access to education, healthcare, enterprise development, financial inclusion and leadership opportunities, noting their central role in economic growth and peacebuilding.

To address insecurity, the foundation called for enhanced collaboration among security agencies, community leaders and civil society through dialogue, intelligence sharing, civic engagement and early warning mechanisms.

In addition, it recommended increased investment in agriculture, including irrigation, mechanisation, agro-processing, rural infrastructure and market access to boost food security and inclusive growth.

The foundation also tasked the media with promoting positive narratives around innovation, youth achievements, women leadership and peacebuilding, noting that balanced reporting can strengthen unity, hope and investor confidence across the region. (Nigerian Tribune)

• The Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bello (middle) with Northern governor’s wives after their quarterly meeting held in Gusau, Zamfara State

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