The Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development has urged governors of the North West geopolitical zone to accelerate the development of the zone through education, wealth creation and social amenities that will impact the lives of the people.
In a statement by the executive director, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the group pointed out that the problems in the zone require political will and pragmatic actions, not empty rhetoric as obtainable in the past 12 years which has not changed the narrative.
It that it is on record that the North West geopolitical zone has the largest land mass and also 30% of the total population of Nigeria, saying the zone equally has the highest number of registered voters and produced three democratically elected presidents.
It noted that from the First Republic North West zone has produced prominent citizens who have served in various capacities in the Federal Government, yet the region is grossly undeveloped and lags behind in education, saying the zone has the largest number of out of school children and the highest number of Almajiris, poorly equipped schools, hospitals, bad roads etc.
It observed that agriculture which is the mainstream of the region is neglected in spite of abundant, fruitful land mass, saying there is no political will to engage in large scale farming and that there is no commitment from state governors in the region to invest in commercial farming and livestock development.
“The region has abundant solid minerals including gold, copper, rhodium, gem stones, kaolin, berates and lithium. Sadly, there is no political will to develop these mineral resources since the discovery of oil”..
The group further urged the governors to stop dissipating energy and resources in organising peace and security summits and conferences within and outside Nigeria as they are not the solution to the insecurity confronting the zone.
