WAITING FOR NEW ACF LEADERSHIP The pan-north socio-cultural and political group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), recently inaugurated a new National Working Committee (NWC) led by former inspector-general of police Ibrahim Coomassie as chairman and former Kebbi State military administrator John Paul Ubah as secretary-general. Former head of state Gen. Yakubu Gowon is the new chairman of the forum’s Board of Patrons. The composition of the 21-man NWC, which has taken over from the Alhaji Aliko Mohammed-led team, has been hailed by those who consider the north and its position very important in issues critical to the nation. Besides, this is a very perilous time in the north, and the new ACF leaders just have to roll up their sleeves and get to work immediately. What the north needs at this time are leaders who think, who are courageous and who are willing to speak up against evil and give proper direction. We believe this crop of ACF leaders has what it takes, going by their pedigree and antecedents. The security situation in some parts of the north has greatly affected the region. It is about time the ACF spoke up against the insurgents and their sponsors. It should strive to find a lasting solution to the insurgency and not just wait for the federal government. The ACF leaders must stay away from politics as much as possible and strive to be seen as leaders. They should speak up for the education of the teeming out-of-school children in the region. Already, there is what appears to be a breakaway faction of the ACF – the Northern Elders Council (NEC). Reuniting both groups is therefore imperative. Issues that will aid the development of the region and foster national integration should also be promoted. There is an alarming level of poverty and illiteracy in the north. Many northerners are already frustrated with the situation, which has also been the reason for escalating insurgency in the region. It is hoped that the NWC of the ACF will work to return the north to its former glory. This it can do by redressing the political, economic, social and moral problems caused by inept leadership in the region and in the nation. Recognising the multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition of the north will be a good way to start. Then, the new ACF should prepare a blueprint for alleviating the sufferings of the downtrodden people of the north. It should, at all times, call elected and appointed leaders to order when they go astray as well as encourage social justice, equity and fairness among all the people of the region. The new ACF leaders must resist the temptation to become pawns in the hands of politicians who would want to use the organisation to achieve their selfish goals. The people of the region look up to them for direction.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 11:33:24 +0000
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