AREWA YOUTHS TASKED ON THE PEACE and SECURITY PROBLEMS IN THE REGION

  By Ode David Arewa youths have been urged to take up the challenge of helping in solving the myriads of problems bedevilling the region. Prof Haruna gave the advice during a lecture and award ceremony organised by Arewa Youth Council of Nigeria AYCN in honour of Sir Abubakar Tafawa balewa. The forum provided opportunity for various experts, professionals, activists, business men and women to brainstorm on the Nigerian project. Since the return to democracy in 1999, the northern part of the country has been bedeviled by series of challenges that have threatened the very soul of the region. From the Sharia debacle under President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Boko Haram terrorism which climaxed under Dr Goodluck Jonathan and claimed thousands of lives and countless property to the current farmers herders crisis under the current leadership of president Mohammadu Buhari its been a long trail of bloodletting and painful conflicts. Addressing the gathering, the guest speaker Prof Andrew Haruna in is address, called for a change of attitude amongst the youths to turn the fortunes of the area around. An educationists who is the VC Federal University Gashua , Professor Haruna advocated the creation of the right atmosphere for the youths to thrive for the development of the nations economy. Mr Gabriel Aduda, permanent secretary political and economic affair office of the secretary to the government of the federation called on the youths to embrace peace, emphasizing that no nation can thrive without having their youth empowered The President, Arewa Youth Council AYC. Comrade Shagari Dogo said the event was organised to draw attention to the challenges facing the North and to recognise those who have contributed to the development of the area. “Our honourees of today have distinguished themselves in different facets of human endeavours and have therefore certified various criteria to qualify for today’s award” “For the records, Arewa Youth Council of Nigeria is one of the three (3) umbrella bodies of youth organization in Arewa cutting across the nineteen (19) northern states and the FCT (Abuja) respectively with shared vision of one people, one common destiny as exemplified by the founding fathers of Nigeria most especially those from the Arewa extraction (e.g. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, J.S. Tarka, Mallam Aminu Kano, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, etc.) all of blessed memories” “The Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Platinum Leadership Award was conceived by Arewa Youth Council of Nigeria as a necessary gesture to honour individuals whose attainment in life have impacted positively on the lives of the citizenry, and a way of encouraging them to do more” The event featured presentation of awards to some professionals who have distinguished themselves in various fields.