THE former governor of Kano state and the leader of Sir Amadu Bello Foundation, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has lamented that the north is currently at crossroads with too many challenges begging for solution.
Speaking in Lokoja on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello at government House, he stated that the violence against women, the socio economic issues associated with covid-19, the bothersome menace of kidnappings and banditry and the intractable Boko Haram insurgency in the north east placing heavy tolls on the region.
He noted that they appreciate the effort of the federal government and the northern states governor’s forum in addressing some of these challenges.
“The foundation will continue to play the role of catalyst for northern unity and peace. With it’s access to well experienced and reserved elders, intellectuals and political and business class across the states of the north
“The foundation is more than ever before committed to providing the platform for Northern Think-Tank to further strengthening of the social and economic development of the north,” he said.
Senator Shekarau posited that the country is currently witnessing an upsurge in the cases of rape and other gender based violence across the country.
“At a time when there is an overwhelming public health challenges due to covid-19 and other diseases with equally devastating effect and an overall downturn on the economy, it is disheartening that we should be seeing an escalation in the cases of rape in Nigeria saying he condemned rape and other forms of gender based violence in all their ramifications,” he said.
He stressed that the foundation strongly believes that the states needs to have strong legislations with stiffer punishments to perpetrators of these heinous acts.
On the rampaging covid-19 pandemic he said the foundation is donating 30,000 face masks to all the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
