Former Chief of Army Staff and former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), has congratulated the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on its 25th anniversary, urging the organisation to spearhead a new era of purposeful leadership, regional development, and national cohesion.
In a goodwill message issued on November 20 in Kaduna to mark the Forum’s Silver Jubilee, Buratai described the ACF as an “indispensable pillar” that has consistently championed unity, peace, and progress in Northern Nigeria over the past quarter-century. He commended the Forum for sustaining the values of integrity, dialogue, and inclusiveness laid down by the region’s founding leaders, noting that the ACF has remained a critical platform for confronting the North’s most pressing developmental challenges.
Buratai, however, stressed that the next 25 years require a more strategic and proactive ACF—one capable of shaping a coherent, home-grown Northern agenda anchored on security, good governance, education, and economic prosperity.
“True political neutrality cannot mean the absence of political direction,” he said. “The North must develop a coherent agenda and the ACF must take the lead, supporting state governments and promoting accountability. Our challenges require robust regional solutions, not over-reliance on the federal government.”
Expressing concern over the region’s persistent food insecurity despite its vast arable land, Buratai described the situation as a “profound paradox.” He urged Northern leaders to make decisive investments in agriculture and warned against expending public resources on what he termed “intangible infrastructure” at the expense of programmes capable of transforming the region’s agricultural potential.
“With modern, large-scale farming and youth engagement in agribusiness, the North can conquer hunger, curb inflation, and become the nation’s true breadbasket,” he said. “We must transform our youth from a security challenge into the engine of our prosperity.”
The retired General challenged the ACF to serve as the “primary architect” of Northern Nigeria’s long-term development vision over the next quarter-century. He urged the Forum to champion transparency, mentor emerging leaders, and demand performance across regional institutions. He also hailed the launch of the ACF Endowment Fund as a major step toward strengthening the organisation’s capacity to drive sustainable transformation.
Buratai emphasised that Northern development cannot be pursued in isolation from national unity. He urged the ACF and Northern governors to create an environment where all Nigerians—particularly southerners—feel safe, welcome, and protected in the region.
“It is both a moral duty and an economic imperative,” he said. “We must assure all Nigerians that their legitimate businesses and security are non-negotiable. And we must expect the same reciprocal commitment from Southern states. This mutual assurance is the bedrock of true national integration.”
He further called on the North to consistently champion justice, fairness, and equitable representation at the national level, stressing that the region’s prosperity is inseparable from that of the entire country.
As he honoured the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello and other Northern founding fathers, Buratai urged the ACF to use its Silver Jubilee as a catalyst for renewed commitment to a just, secure, and united Nigeria.
