The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF) has lauded the collaboration and synergy between Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa towards tackling insecurity in the state.
The forum received with joy the news that the collaboration has led to the establishment of three new military commands in Samaru Zango-Kataf, Giwa, and Birnin-Gwari, in addition to a base to be set up by the Air Force in Millennium City, Chikun Local Area.
The forum said these strategic moves will significantly help in addressing the protracted banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats in the region and enhance agricultural activities in the state.
The forum said it is optimistic that the deployment of additional military personnel will significantly improve security and enabled farmers to access their lands without fear, especially in communities like in Maro-Kajuru, Kauru, Sanga, Giwa and Binin Gwari Local Government Areas that have been witnessing persistent banditry attacks.
It said robust military presence in the aforementioned areas, will no doubt bring sanity by boosting citizens and farmer’s confidence for robust agricultural activities and other economic activities to combat poverty and unemployment across the state.
The forum also commends the Governor’s initiative to further enhance security across the state by distributing 150 patrol vehicles and 500 motorbikes to various security agencies, including the Army, Air Force, DSS, Police, Civil Defence, Customs, and Immigration.
The forum equally recognises Gov. Sani’s laudable efforts in uniting the state towards achieving sustainable peace through the formation of the Kaduna Elders Forum, Co-Chaired by the duo of the former Military Governor of Old Rivers State, Retired General Zamani Lekwot and former Head of Service, Abubakar Mustapha, with highly respected personalities as members, to help chat a new course for the unity and development of the state.
The forum congratulates Gov. Uba Sani for marking one year in office, and particularly lauded his efforts towards inclusive governance as evident with the recent inauguration of development projects that cut across southern and northern parts of the state.
“However, we called on the Governor to go some steps further in addressing the aspect of skewed political appointments in favour of Northern Kaduna to the detriment of the Southern region; a deliberate practice entrenched by ex-Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai which he ingeniously exploited as a divide and rule tactic that left the state more divided along religious fault lines than he met it. This, we expect Governor Uba Sani to take deliberate practical steps to reconcile the regrettable retrogressive politics that Malam el-Rufai instituted, by building bridges of unity and inclusive politics across the state for sustainable development to be achieved.
“In the same vein, the forum called on Governor Uba Sani to demonstrate the pro-democracy and rule of law that he stands for, as evidence in his participation for the realisation of June 12 election struggle, for his government to respect and implement the recent court judgement which nullified the dethronement of the Piriga monarch, Chief Jonathan Paraguwa Zamuna by ex-Governor Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai on May 22, 2023 and ordered for his reinstatement,” the statement read.
