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COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF 22ND JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ADVISORY COUNCIL OF THE FOUNDATION, HELD AT HAWTHORN SUITE, GARKI, ABUJA ON 1ST DECEMBER, 2020
Preamble
Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), like other concerned stakeholders in the affairs of the north in particular and the country general, is concerned with the deteriorating security and socio-economic challenges in many northern states of the country. The current insecurity situation especially the escalating Boko Haram attacks on innocent citizens in the North East, armed banditry in the North West and kidnapping and other forms of crises all over the North, if not adequately addressed, could escalate to undesirable dimensions and with serious consequences on the nation’s political stability.
Members of the Board of trustees and Advisory Council of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation jointly met and examined the current challenges of insecurity and other problems presently affecting the country. After exhaustive deliberations on the multi-faceted insecurity and socio-economic challenges affecting the region, the Joint meeting, resolved to issue the following statement.
That the Foundation commends the efforts of the Northern States Governors in taking the much-needed proactive measures in curtailing the menace and spread of lootings and carnage occasioned by ENDSARS protests and urge them to act fast in compensating the victims to ameliorate their untold hardship.
The Foundation appreciates the roles of traditional rulers in containing the menace of ENDSARS protest in the north. Additionally, the Foundation supports the call for constitutional provision of roles for traditional rulers, to re-position them as agents in maintaining peace and harmony in their various domains.
Members condemn in totality, the gruesome killings of more than 43 innocent rice farmers of Zabarmari village in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, and call on all relevant security agencies to immediately adopt measures to forestall future occurrence of such dastardly acts.
The meeting also noted and condemned the spate of ethno-religious conflict in Southern Kaduna and calls for cessation of hostilities and restoration of peace and tranquility among residents. The meeting commends the efforts of Kaduna State Government towards restoration of peace in the area.
The Foundation also condemns the attacks on people of Northern extraction, who are pursuing their various legitimate businesses in the Southern parts of the country and calls on respective Governors of those states to take measures in addressing the situation promptly to avoid possible escalation.
The meeting recommends that the security agencies should be adequately re-positioned with adequate manpower, training and reward systems to motivate security personnel to ensure efficient and effective delivery of services.
The Foundation noted that in view of the direct correlation between insecurity and the collapse of Social Norms and moral values provided by the public educational system as a fundamental agency of citizenship socialization process, governments and key stakeholders must take concrete measures and steps to re-model the educational system – in form and content –for economic and political integration of our societies.
The Foundation also appreciates the level of engagement and consultations between the FG and ASUU, and therefore calls on Federal Government to further push for amicable resolutions to enable students resume their normal studies.
Finally, the Foundation appeals to leaders at all levels in the country to have the nation at heart in their conduct and lead by example in the promotion of peace, security and progress of the North and country at large.
December 4, 2020.
Engr Abubakar Gambo Umar
Managing Director/CEO and Secretary, Advisory Council
Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation
