The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, has raised the alarm that the Northern region is currently facing severe socio-economic challenges, which require urgent attention from stakeholders.
Dalhatu, a former Minister of Steel, therefore called on northerners to close ranks with a view to tackling the challenges.
Speaking on Tuesday in Kaduna to ratify appointments of the new leadership of ACF NEC and NWC), Dalhatu noted that “the reason the ACF was established is to confront any problem being faced by the North; unfortunately, the problem continues to multiply over the years.
“As men of courage, we will do our best to put first the interest of the region in anything we intend to achieve that can also unite us with the rest part of the country so that by the end of our tenure we will have achievements to show for it.”
In his acceptance speech on assumption of office as the new Chairman of ACF, Gabriel Aduku pledged to take the Forum to higher heights based on the laid down principles of its founding fathers.
“One thing is imperative, that is, our collective resolve to sustain the lofty vision of the organisation’s founding fathers which is to continue to pursue ideals of a united, prosperous and peaceful North and by extension, Nigeria.
“It is the same spirit of furthering the above ideals that the leaders of this revered Forum spotted in us while we were yet pursuing our individual life’s endeavour that made them bring us on board.
“Therefore, we want to assure everyone that our commitment to this course will be total, by the grace of God. We hereby accept the offer to serve in Arewa Consultative Forum in our various capacities,” Aduku said.