…Harps on peace, unity, devt in North.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Former Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman, Board of Trustees of Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative (ACPUDI), Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, has stressed the need for unity, oneness and peace in the North for the development of the region.
He also stated that the challenges confronting Northern Nigeria as a people are complex and deep-rooted, citing communal conflicts, rising insecurity, youth restiveness, economic marginalization and, sadly, gradual erosion of the values that once held them together.
Bafarawa stated these during the official unveiling of the ACPUDI movement, which held at Arewa House, in Kaduna on Thursday.
He said the unveiling is a bold step towards healing divisions, fostering understanding, and nurturing sustainable development in the region.
According to him, “Arewa” is more than a geographical expression, but a symbol of identity, history and a collective destiny, pointing out that it was in this spirit that the Initiative came together, not as tribal groups, political or religious factions, but as brothers and sisters bound by the shared vision of a peaceful, united and prosperous future.
“The challenges that confront us as a people are complex and deep-rooted. We have witnessed communal conflicts, rising insecurity, youth restiveness, economic marginalization and, sadly, gradual erosion of the values that once held us together. We choose, however, to be remembered by our response to them.
“The Arewa Cohesion Initiative is our collective response. This initiative was birthed from a simple but powerful idea – that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equity and dialogue. That, unity does not mean uniformity, but the strength that comes from embracing our diversity. And that, true development must be people-centered, inclusive and sustainable,” he said.
Bafarawa emphasized that the group was not a political movement and do not intend to transform into a political party, nor does it align with any political party; rather, the group’s mission transcends partisan politics.
According to him, the movement is ready to work with anyone, regardless of political affiliation, who shares the group’s commitment to transforming the region and Nigeria for the better.
“We are not out to fight anybody; rather to build bridges and foster constructive engagement. We are ready to collaborate with any organization that has similar objectives as us,” he said.
He gave the mission of the movement to include: “To promote peaceful coexistence among diverse communities in the North; to create platforms for dialogue, reconciliation and conflict resolution; to engage youths – the region’s most precious resource in meaningful and productive ventures.”
Others are: “To work collaboratively with governments, traditional institutes, civil society, faith-based institutions and international partners towards a safer, stronger and more inclusive North; and promote good governance and progressive leadership recruitment process for the North.”
In his remarks, Director-General of the movement, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, said the Initiative is a product of extensive reflection, dialogue, and engagement across communities and institutions.
According to him, the region is a home to a rich and diverse tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions, and has long played a vital role in shaping the nation’s identity. Yet, in recent decades, the region has been tested by persistent insecurity, instability, economic hardship, and deepening social fragmentation.
“We have seen how cycles of violence, deepening poverty, and disillusionment, especially among young people, have undermined trust, weakened institutions, and disrupted everyday life in far too many communities. The consequences of this do not end in Arewa; rather extend to the nation as a whole. The future of Nigeria is inseparable from the peace and progress of the region.
“The Arewa Cohesion Initiative is, therefore, a timely and strategic effort that seeks to foster dialogue where there is silence, rebuild trust where it has been eroded, and create opportunities where there have been too few. It is built on three interlinked pillars: peace building, Arewa unity, and sustainable development,” the DG added.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, General John Temlong (Rtd), said “The Initiative embodies the timeless values that have always defined the region as a people – spirit of brotherhood, commitment to justice, belief in the power of unity. This represents the collective determination to transform challenges into opportunities, divisions into bridges, and discord into harmony.”
He charged the leadership and membership of the Initiative to carry along with them hopes of millions, praying that the unveiling will mark the journey of a turning point for the region’s quest for lasting peace and sustainable development.