From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Senator Danjuma Goje (APC – Gombe Central) has said the North will not find its feet until it tackles the twin menace of insecurity and economic deterioration.
Goje, a former governor of Gombe State, stated this during the public presentation of a book ‘Insecurity and Economy of Northern Nigeria in the 21st Century and Beyond: A Festcrift in Honour of Professor Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed’ edited by Professor Maiyaki Mejida of the Nassarawa State University.
Goje noted that the menace of insecurity in the form of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism initially started as Boko Haram in the Northeast, but has now unfortunately expanded to cover not only Northern Nigeria, but almost the entire country.
“The North will never find its feet without tackling these twin evils. All the cries about democracy and development cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of general and widespread insecurity as presently obtained in almost all the nooks and corners of northern Nigeria,” Goje said.
Goje, explaining the importance of the book, said it will surely and greatly assist in curbing the prevailing general insecurity and economic decline in northern Nigeria.
“I believe governments at all levels, as well as the Nigerian society in general; will find this book very handy. Therefore, I wish to particularly thank the authors of the book for a job well done,” Goje also said.
Also speaking, the senator representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Senator Gabriel Suswam, said the issues of security have become the concerns of all Nigerians.
“It is not limited to any particular region, it is not limited to any particular state and so, we are all concerned about it,” Suswam said.
The former governor of Benue State said for any person to have thought it wise to look at the insecurity bedevilling the country, it was worth the efforts.
Earlier, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, said the title of the book could not have come at a better time.
Yayale, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Minister of Defence, also said: “If we are serious, if we believe in one another to do the right thing, the correct thing at the correct time, northern Nigeria will be more than transformed to redeem its image of being the most accommodating region in the world.”
He challenged those present at the occasion to see the opportunity to make sure that they rediscover themselves and become honest and support the nation’s politicians, guide them and make sure that the country does not go haywire in their hands.