Northern Governors Propose 'Marshall Plan' for Regional Development

The Northern Governors' Forum (NGF) has unveiled a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at tackling the root causes of poverty and insecurity in the region. Dubbed a regional 'Marshall Plan,' the initiative focuses heavily on early years education, agricultural revitalization, and youth empowerment. During their latest meeting in Kaduna, the governors agreed that military action alone cannot solve the banditry crisis without addressing the underlying socio-economic deprivation.

Intergovernmental relations have also taken center stage, with the NGF calling for a review of the revenue allocation formula to favor states dealing with severe security and ecological challenges. The forum is collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to boost dry-season farming, seeing it as a quick win to improve food security and provide employment for the teeming youth population.

State Police Debate

Significantly, the consensus on state police appears to be strengthening. While some governors previously expressed hesitation, the worsening security situation has led to a unified stance among Northern leaders that a decentralized policing structure, properly funded and regulated, is now inevitable. They have pledged to work with the National Assembly to fast-track the necessary constitutional amendments.