By Lawal A. Dogara
Vice President Namadi Sambo has commended the past leaders of north for their efforts toward the unity of the region as well as ensuring the oneness of the country.
Sambo made the commendation while speaking of the Arewa Consultative Forum 2014 Annual General Assembly in Kaduna, Tuesday.He said northern region never lacked visionary leaders who have instilled the culture of good governance in the region and Nigeria in general.
He extolled past northern leaders such as Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, Malam Aminu Kano and JS Tarka and many more who worked tirelessly to build a progressive, democratic and economically strong and prosperous region.
“This administration has made tremendous progress in laying foundation for diversifying and transforming the revenue base of the Nigerian economy.I trust that this forum will further assist with far reaching recommendations that will create a Northern Nigerian economy without oil,” he said.
In a lecture title ” Northern Nigeria economy free of oil revenue”, Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed emphasized on the need for the north to invest heavily in agricultural activities.
” The ongoing agitation for resources control and allocation and consequent clamour for fiscal federalism demonstrate the need to free our region’s economy from oil revenues. Northern immense agric resources strongly recommend a revival of the agro-based wealth that the region once enjoyed.
” The truth is that significant proportion of the food that we eat and export from this country comes from the farms of northern Nigeria. If federal allocation were to cease today for example, I am confident that the 19 Northern States will overcome the initials hiccups to build strong agro-based economy.