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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) says President Bola Tinubu should review his economic reforms to have the “needed human face”.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its national executive council (NEC) meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, the ACF said the present administration’s economic policies “have continued to make matters much worse” for the people of the northern region.
“Succinctly stated, economic reforms, while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the same people that they are meant to serve; the people may not be alive to reap the putative benefits,” the communique reads.
“The forum therefore called on President Tinubu to review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of his economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”
The ACF noted that the northerners remain particularly disadvantaged, being economically worse off compared to other regions in Nigeria.
“The livelihoods of many depend on micro-activities,” the forum said.
“The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic challenges, the policies of the current federal government have continued to worsen matters, with little indication of the needed sensitivity to the precarious existential conditions of Arewa people.
“The growing food crisis must be addressed through both short- and long-term measures, including imports where necessary, but the ultimate solution is achieving food self-sufficiency.
“Public policy and law should also be adopted to achieve a balance in population growth.
“Poor electricity supply continues to hamper efforts to address poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment in the region. These issues require urgent attention.”
It encouraged the federal government to embrace criticism, noting that feedback strengthens policymaking and benefits the public.
The forum said northern governors should adopt coordinated strategies for addressing insecurity, education, skills acquisition, agriculture, health services, and other critical areas.
“The interests of the north will be best served by northerners,” the ACF added.
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