The Forum of Governors of the Northwest yesterday in Kano urged Nigerians to offer prayers for the success of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The forum comprises governors of Kano (Abdullahi Umar Ganduje), Sokoto (Aminu Tambuwal), Zamfara (Abdul’aziz Yari), Kebbi (Atiku Bagudu), Jigawa (Abubakar Badaru) and Kaduna (Nasir El-Rufai).
The governors, who deliberated on the need to bring about development in the zone through investment in agriculture, industrialisation, energy, mining, environment and education, also advised the Federal Government to stem the rising tide of kidnapping.
The governors, who rose from their second meeting, which held at Kano Government House, also commended President Buhari and the military for the sustainable fight against insurgency in the Northeast.
Reading the communique, Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Yari, underscored the need, “for the government to employ strict measures to curb kidnapping.
“The forum considered a presentation by the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) on the strategic agenda for Northwest states development, which is an action plan on six sectors critical to the development of the zone: agriculture, industrialisation, energy, mining, environment and education”.
The Northwest governors also rolled out a long-term plan to stop importation of rice and wheat and other agricultural products, which can be grown in the zone and be transformed as veritable means for foreign exchange.
While commending Nigerians for their continued support of the Buhari administration, the forum commiserated with the governments and people of Kano State on the fire incidents in their major markets.
The governors also condoled with President Buhari and the military for the killing of Col. Sama’ila Inusa in Kaduna.
The forum stressed the need for unity among political leaders, saying major stakeholders should continue to support state administrations in their efforts towards achieving peace in the zone and the country at large.