Edozie Udeojo
Governor of Niger State and Chairman North central Governor’s Forum, Abubakar Sani Bello says the time has come for the States in the North central to look inward to jointly tackle issues affecting the zone.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello stated this at a banquet held in honour of the North central zone in Makurdi, Benue State Capital.
He explained that for the zone to achieve the desired goals, the forum has decided that the meetings be rotated amongst member States.
While Expressing concern on how the North central zone has been short changed in all spheres of development, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said regular meetings like this will help the forum to evolve new strategies aimed at addressing the challenges confronting the zone especially as it affects Security, infrastructure, economy and politics among other issues.
The Governor described the outgoing year as the worst of all years witnessed by Nigerians and prayed God that Nigeria will over come and come out stronger.
The Forum emphasized the need for closer ties to improve on the corporate existence of the country.
The host and Governor of Benue State while welcoming his counterparts said the Governors of the zone have demonstrated oneness and unity of the zone.
Governor Samuel Ortom appreciated the Chairman of the Forum for holding the meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, noting that the problems of Nigeria are beyond politics, ethnicity and religion, adding that the problems are deeply rooted and difficult to solve because they have long been created and require demonstration of love and unity as shared by the Governors of the North Central to address the challenges.
The Governor of kogi State, Yahaya Bello who spoke in the same vein, described the North Central zone as a pillar that holds the North and south together, urging that the states must stand together as a unified team by dropping their differences politically or otherwise.
He explained that the people are large, enterprising and hospitable to bring about rapid development.
The rich cultural heritage of the Benue people was on display by troupes representing the various ethnic and cultural groups in the State.
Another highlight of the event was the decoration of the Governors with with the Benue attire.