According to Vanguard, Former Minister of Information and Communication, Labaran Maku, has called on Northern state governors to address the region’s insecurity, emphasizing that it hinders development. Maku expressed concern about the inability of people to engage in farming due to the prevailing security challenges. He urged for the restoration of peace to enable the region to progress.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Maku was recognized with a fellowship award by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). He pointed out that the North has been plagued by political violence, which exacerbates the security issues. Maku stressed the need for governors to take decisive actions to mitigate these problems.
Maku highlighted that the ongoing violence is a significant barrier to development. He stressed that without the governors’ proactive involvement, even federal efforts would be insufficient to address the insecurity. He emphasized that the region's leadership must prioritize security to foster a conducive environment for development.
In his address, Maku also spoke on the divisive nature of politics in the country. He noted that the prevalent mindset of ‘we vs them’, along religious and regional lines, fosters discord. He argued that overcoming this division is crucial for achieving lasting peace and unity in the nation.
Maku called for an improvement in the nation’s leadership approach, advocating for policies that unite rather than divide. He believes that if leaders focus on unity in their policies, it would significantly contribute to peace and stability, ultimately benefiting the entire nation.
He said: “There is too much politics of violence in the North. Until the governors sit up, no miracle can be performed even by the federal government. Once you live in a nation that says ‘we vs them’, ‘North vs South, ‘Christianity vs Islam,’ you must have malice. We need to improve the way we look at life. But I must say that leadership has the responsibility of uniting people. If we the leaders unite the nation in our policies, there’ll be peace and unity.