Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on members of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to resist the actions of mischievous elements seeking to sow division and undermine the unity of Nigeria.
Shettima made the call on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the ACF led by its Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ibrahim Dalhatu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He urged northern leaders to stand in solidarity with President Bola Tinubu and support the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that “there is no better time than now for leaders of the North to stand united to support the efforts of the Tinubu administration to lead the country out of the current economic and social challenges.”
The Vice President asked members of the region's peak socio-cultural organization to “resist the actions of some mischievous elements who seek to disintegrate the unity of Nigeria.”
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He distinguished between greed and grievance, which he described as “the architects of modern conflict”, noting that while some movements arise from genuine grievances demanding justice and fairness, others are driven by greed, a desire to exploit chaos for selfish gain.
According to him, the Tinubu administration is committed to “recognizing the difference between genuine grievances and greed”, with the aim of embracing legitimate calls for equality and inclusion while isolating forces seeking to profit from anarchy.
He said, “We have proven time and again that our diversity is our strength – our differences in tribe, faith and geography are the bricks that make up this house of our destiny. That is why we must continue to resist all efforts to divide us or create mischief among us. Our future depends on unity, and unity must remain our dharma.”
Shettima rejected claims that marginalized people are promoting ethnic or religious prejudice, saying that under the Tinubu administration every group, faith and tribe has the right to raise their voice.
He said, “As a government we want to ensure that every group, every community, every faith and every voice has its place in the national conversation. We will never accommodate the marginalization of any group. Our policies are designed to create opportunities for all – to uplift every community through inclusion, education and enterprise.”
The Vice President assured the Northern leaders that they remain integral parts of the Tinubu-led government, which stands ready to partner with the ACF in advancing the collective interests of the region and the country.
He said, “The trajectory of the North has been grim. We began as a region defined by stability, foresight and a deep commitment to building bridges across ethnic, religious and geographical divides. But today we have a geography scarred by insecurity, mistrust and economic decline.
“We cannot allow this chaos to spread. We owe it to our people to end the cycle of killings and destruction that has crippled our communities, and to ensure justice for the victims of violence and deprivation.
“This government is yours. Your interests will always be represented here, because I am one of you. Wherever there is a shortcoming, you have direct access to me. We exist to serve you, represent you and uphold the values that make the North an equal stakeholder in the identity of Nigeria.”
Shettima also underlined the deliberate efforts being made by the administration to reset the fortunes of the North, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda prioritizes education, agriculture, industrialization and security as pillars of the region's revival.
He said the government is reforming education by strengthening local government autonomy and promoting access through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (Nelfund), which has enabled millions of northern students to pursue tertiary education without financial barriers.
“We are expanding vocational and technical training centers to prepare our youth for roles in agriculture, manufacturing and technology,” he said.
Shettima explained that Nigeria has moved from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial enterprises, turning the arable lands of the North into the country's food and industrial backbone.
“We are building agro-processing industries to create employment and value chains, investing in microfinance systems to support smallholder farmers and MSMEs, and setting up industrial zones in key states like Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto to attract textile, leather and food-processing industries,” he said.
On security, the Vice President reiterated that national security remains the administration's top priority, noting that coordinated operations have killed several notorious bandit leaders and restored relative peace to previously troubled communities.
Earlier, ACF BOT Chairman Dalahatu commended the Tinubu administration for bold reforms and commended the Vice President for his commitment and support to its achievements.
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Dalhatu said, “We are proud of what you are doing as Vice President and the progress this Administration has made during difficult times. You are doing a good job in assisting the President in running the country, and we are always happy to connect with you.”
He said the ACF delegation visited the Presidential Villa to express solidarity with the government and formally invite Shettima to the forum's upcoming 25th anniversary celebrations. The group also plans to launch an endowment fund to promote socio-economic development across the North.
ACF National Executive Committee Chairman Mamman Osuman said the anniversary would showcase the North's potential and reaffirm its commitment to a united, prosperous Nigeria, and pledged the Forum's support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Other ACF members at the meeting included Vice President Ibrahim Ida; Secretary General Murtala Aliyu; BOT Vice Chairman Ibrahim Mai-Sule; Former IGP MD Abubakar (Retd); Yayale Ahmed; Abdourahmane Danbazou; pigtail saliva; Aishatu Ismail; and Christine Gadzama, among others.
