BY VICTOR BUORO – Openly identifying illegal mining as a “major contributory factor” to the security challenges across their respective states, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) on Monday begged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place a six-month suspension of all mining activities within the region.
The NSGF made the plea in a communiqué signed by its Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, following a joint meeting of the Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.
Rising from the meeting with a communique³, the Governors said: “The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria.
“Therefore, the Forum resolved to strongly recommend to the President to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining exploration for a period of six months to allow for a proper audit.”
According to the communique, the federal government should also “Subject all mining licences to revalidation for a period of six months in active consultation with the various state governors, and in the process address the menace of artisanal illegal mining.”
This is as the Forum extended its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and people of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, and Kano States following the recent killings and abductions of school children and other innocent citizens, as well as to the victims of Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe States.
It also commended the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the prompt release of some abducted children and for addressing other security challenges.
Additionally, the Forum reaffirmed its support and commitment to the establishment of State Police, encouraging national and state assembly members in the region to expedite action for its actualisation.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar II, has challenged governors of the 19 Northern states to listen attentively to their critics and use constructive feedback to strengthen governance across the region.
Speaking at the meeting, the Sultan cautioned that dismissing criticisms could slow efforts at tackling the region’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship.
He said no leader seeking the people’s mandate would deliberately turn away from citizens after assuming office, lamenting that governors are often unfairly accused of inaction despite facing immense pressures in the discharge of their duties.
For him, it is important that the governors “listen to critics, listen to criticisms, listen to critiques, and make amendments whenever these arise,” noting that genuine feedback can guide better decision-making.
The Royal Father, who expressed confidence in the governors’ ability to address and overcome the current governance challenges, reminded them of the need for unity and intensified collaboration at all times.
Also, while advocating robust and frequent engagement between governors and traditional rulers across the geo-political zones, the Sultan proposed structured meetings to harmonise decisions affecting the North.
