FLASH POINT

By Shehu Yahaya

The Director-General of the Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative (ACI), Dr. Abdullahi Idris, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering peace, unity and sustainable development across Northern Nigeria.

Dr. Idris made the pledge during the organisation’s first anniversary luncheon held in Kaduna, where he described the occasion as a celebration of ACI’s vision, resilience and achievements within one year of its establishment.

He explained that ACI was founded as a non-partisan platform to strengthen social cohesion, promote constructive dialogue and advance inclusive development across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Highlighting the organisation’s achievements, Dr. Idris said ACI had secured legal registration, expanded its membership across the region and established operational structures at both national and state levels. He added that the initiative had attracted the support of traditional rulers, religious leaders, academics, professionals, youth and women groups, as well as civil society organisations.

According to him, the organisation has emerged as a credible platform for consultation and public engagement on issues affecting Northern Nigeria, facilitating peacebuilding initiatives, conflict prevention programmes and strategic partnerships with government agencies and development partners.

He noted that ACI has also organised advocacy and capacity-building programmes focusing on responsible leadership, youth empowerment, women’s inclusion and community development.

Looking ahead, Dr. Idris said the organisation would intensify community-based peacebuilding efforts, strengthen interfaith dialogue, promote economic inclusion and harness technology to encourage civic participation and sustainable development across the region.

In his remarks, former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalong, called on the Federal Government to take more decisive steps to tackle insurgency and insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

He expressed concern over the continued loss of lives in the region, stressing that urgent action was needed to restore peace and guarantee the safety of citizens.

Dalong commended the approaches adopted by former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Olusegun Obasanjo in addressing security challenges, saying their administrations demonstrated strong political will in confronting insecurity.

He also urged Northerners to elect leaders committed to protecting lives and property, promoting development and advancing the interests of the region in future elections.

The anniversary celebration concluded with special prayers for enduring peace, unity, security and sustainable development in Northern Nigeria and across the country.