Following the decision passed by the Arewa Consultative Forum’s, ACF, Board of Trustees, BOT, on September 4, 2024, two Special Committees have been established to suggest blueprints as avenues for tackling significant, pressing, and essential problems of concern in Northern Nigeria.
This establishment of the special committee was revealed by the ACF National publicity secretary Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba.
The creation of the special committee is coming at a time in Northern Nigeria’s history when insecurity, high cost of living, and natural disasters such as flooding are rampant.
The press release by the ACF informing the public on the formation of the special committee reads:
“Further to the resolution reached at the meeting of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on 4th September 2024, two Special Committees were set up to recommend blueprints as pathways for addressing key, pressing and critical issues of concern to Northern Nigeria.
“Membership of the Committees was arrived at after due consultations with leaders of thought as to their wealth of experience and commitment to the relevant issues on hand, as follows:
“(1) Unity, Peace and Reconciliation Committee – predicated based on the observation made about the deteriorating state of inter-group relations among the various Northern communities, which have been inimical to peaceful coexistence and development.
“Therefore, this Committee was charged with the responsibility of proposing realistic mechanisms for strengthening Northern unity and reinforcing processes of mechanisms for regular consultations and dialogue. This Committee has Alhaji (Dr.) Yayale Ahmed, CFR, Ajiyan Katagum with Engr Babachir Lawal as his Deputy; and
“(2) Committee on Security – predicated on the unabating stage of insecurity in the North to suggest ways out of the quagmire given its devastating effects on the people.
“This Committee has Lt. General Abdulrahman B. Dambazau (rtd), CFR, Baraden Kano and former Chief of Army Staff as Chairman with Alhaji Mohammed D. Abubakar, CFR, mni, Rtd Inspector General of Police as Deputy.
“The Committees were inaugurated at Abuja by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, and Wazirin Dutse on 30th September and 1st October 2024, respectively, and are expected to submit their reports to ACF by the middle of November 2024.
“The ACF will, in turn, consider and discuss the reports and recommendations with the Governors of the Northern States for submission to the Federal Government and Agencies responsible for security as may be necessary or appropriate.
“The inaugural meetings of the Committees were covered by a team of reporters from the ACF’s online Radio now undergoing test runs.”