Connect with us

Featured

Northern region on the brink of collapse – Dr. Bugaje

DDM News

Published

on

Elder statesman, Dr. Usman Bugaje, has expressed deep concern over the worsening condition of Northern Nigeria, stressing that Northerners are experiencing severe hardships that require urgent and collective efforts to prevent total collapse.

According to him, the region is grappling with poverty, insecurity, and corruption, which have continued to undermine its development, Diaspora digital media (DDM) reported.

He lamented that nearly 60% of students in tertiary institutions across the North cannot return to school because their parents cannot afford tuition or transportation fees.

“For over 25 years of Nigeria’s democracy, poverty has more than doubled in the North, leaving over 33 million people facing starvation,” Dr. Bugaje stated.

He further emphasized that the country’s economic situation is deteriorating, with the value of the naira plummeting to the extent that the minimum wage is now insufficient to buy a bag of rice.

Speaking at the Arewa Movement for Good Governance Conference, themed “The North and the Dangers Looming on the Horizon: The Need for a New Conversation and a New Narrative,” held on Saturday in Kaduna, Dr. Bugaje painted a grim picture of the region’s present state.

“The North is in crisis, and these challenges are not being adequately addressed.

It is worrying and disturbing.

We must come together to tackle these pressing issues,” he stated.

He expressed alarm over the rising insecurity, which has reached unprecedented levels, making trade, commerce, and agriculture nearly impossible.

Agriculture, which has traditionally been the backbone of the region’s economy, is in decline due to rampant banditry, kidnappings, and farmer-herder conflicts.

See also  North Korean has deployed forces to Russia's Kursk region — NATO

Dr. Bugaje also lamented the decay of public institutions, which he described as inefficient and unable to provide essential services.

He noted that infrastructure, particularly electricity, is in a deplorable state, pointing out that even Niger Republic, Nigeria’s neighbor, seems to be performing better in that sector.

“The social sector has been hit the hardest, as human capital is diminishing, and there are no jobs for the unemployed youth, most of whom lack the necessary skills to compete in today’s economy.

In short, Nigeria is simply not working,” he said.

Criticizing the political class, Dr. Bugaje accused politicians of engaging in self-serving activities rather than addressing the plight of Northerners.

He condemned the growing culture of political sycophancy, where leaders surround themselves with praise singers and political thugs, many of whom are drug users.

“Our politicians continue to deceive themselves with empty speeches while ignoring the realities on the ground.

We are heading towards disaster, with no concrete plans for the future.

With 20 million out-of-school children, mostly from the North, we are sitting on a time bomb.

Nearly 60% of students in tertiary institutions across the region cannot afford to return to school,” he lamented.

He also raised concerns over the weakening of traditional institutions by political office holders, arguing that these institutions, which once played a critical role in governance and conflict resolution, have been rendered ineffective.

“Many religious leaders have also been compromised by money and have become part of a corrupt political culture driven by violence, money politics, and the ambitions of individuals who seek power at any cost,” he added.

See also  English clubs crash out of UEFA Champions League

Dr. Bugaje stressed that leadership failure is Nigeria’s fundamental problem.

He called for a consensus among northern elites to address the region’s deteriorating conditions, warning that history would not forgive them if they failed to act.

Echoing his concerns, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and former Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Tom Maiyashi, described the North as being on the brink of collapse.

He urged Northerners to unite and take decisive action to save the region from further decline.

“Northern elites must wake up to their responsibilities and confront these challenges head-on.

If we do not act now, future generations will suffer the consequences of our inaction,” he stated.

The conference highlighted the urgent need for a new approach to governance in the North.

It underscored the importance of addressing insecurity, revamping the education system, and creating economic opportunities for the growing youth population.

The speakers emphasized that without immediate action, Northerners would continue to face increasing hardships, and the region’s future would remain uncertain.

Dr. Bugaje concluded by urging all stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations, to come together in pursuit of lasting solutions.

He stressed that the survival of Northerners and the entire region depends on deliberate and sustained efforts to overcome these challenges.

Please share to save the north

Thank you 💕


For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest from DDM TV

Latest Updates

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom: A sacrifice for his people

Casemiro’s potential loan move from Manchester United

Nnamdi Kanu accuses Nigerian courts of legal ignorance in court outburst

Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative aims to tackle government waste, says Trump

Donald Trump’s ongoing feud with Meghan Markle: A nine-year clash

NRC suspends operations in 20 countries due to US aid freeze

El-Rufai denies allegations of opposing Tinubu during 2023 election campaign

Actress Kudirat Ogunro opens up on single motherhood, struggles, and future plans

Police arrest Ohanaeze Youth Council’s President, Igboayaka

Israeli forces have fully withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza.

Subscribe to DDM Newsletter for Latest News

Get Notifications from DDM News Yes please No thanks