Arewa, is the nomenclature, depicting north, in Hausa. In this case, northern Nigeria is a vast stretch of land, which makes up the federal republic of Nigeria. Politically, the region is further divided into three distinct subgroup — North-west, North-East and North-central.
In all, there are 19 states, which made up the 36 States in the country. It is the most populous and diverse region.
Interestingly, the numerical strength of the region, makes it the centerpiece for any national policy or political rendition.
The preeminence of the region was made possible by a number of factors, and activities of some individuals. The status and stability of the region revolves around Sir Ahmadu Bello, (1910-1966) the Sardauna of Sokoto and premier of the region.His people-centric worldview, regardless of faith or creed was what endeared him to many. He epitomizes everything excellence and simplicity.However, it was on this basis and norm, the North was founded. Equity, Justice, Peace and Unity. To coexist with, and bring about rapid development to the region, and the larger Nigerian State.
Since his demise, the vacuum he left “seems” too big for, or too sophisticated to fill by most leaders the north birthed. In reality, it isn’t too big, because people he personally mentored and passed the baton to the crop of leaders in the north, today. Incidentally, they benefitted immensely from most legacies he put in place and left behind.
The Jam’iyar Mutanen Arewa, or Northern People’s Congress, was birthed by the late premier to provide sense of direction and set the theme for the development of the region. Sadly, it died with the premier, in 1966.
After the military interregnum, in the succeeding years, 1966-1999, there was an absent of a formidable central authority to guide the region, and keep alive the lofty dreams — a single, united and strong indivisible entity, which the late premier had.
However, at the turn of the century, in 2000, after the return to civil rule, there was an emergence of numerous sociocultural and political organizations.The resurgence of these set of groups were primarily as a result of fear of dominance or, the search for political relevance within the Nigerian federation.
The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, started off on a strong footing as a non partisan sociocultural group, which seek to unite the region and put it on a threshold of economic stability within the larger Nigerian space. At some point, it got embroiled in partisan politics and crumbled. The region is left with no central authority or leadership.
Since then, there were numerous splinter arewa groups, each seeking to speak for the region, but non had the interest of the region, as the motivation for the struggle. Individuals, most of which were, and still are politicians that lost relevance were often the founding members or sole owners, or financiers of such arewa groups. Their motivation is hinged on personal aggrandizement, not the general good of the Arewa.
Leadership of such groups do not draw or seek legitimacy from the common Arewa population, whose concern are mostly education, security, health infrastructure, good governance etc.These groups, get hyperactive usually at the eve of an election year. Yes, such is their modus operandi. Use the period to negotiate political relevance, safeguard their investments, and cut a deal with candidates, to secure appointment and employment for their children, family and friends.
An attempt by the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, in collaboration with some four other groups to negotiate a better future for the region through its Joint Arewa committee is, for all intent laudable initiative. The 2-day engagement held at the Arewa House, Kaduna would have been commendable, had it not been dogged by political razzmatazz, which failed to bring all candidates, on board, and claim of a certain bias within the organizers was rife.
For instance, the NNPP presidential candidate, Sen Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, boycotted the engagement, alleging the committee had a preferred candidate, already in their kitty. Such claims should not be discarded. Looking at the antecedents of some of the organizers, who paraded themselves as leaders or northern elders, one will be inclined to believe, and aligned with the position of the Senator.
For all its glamour, the event was more or less elitist. For an average peasant farmer in kauran Namoda, a Yam cultivator on the hills of Vandekiya, at the Benue valley, or a fisherman on the fringes of Lake Chad,in Baga, his future and that of his offsprings is bleak. The noncommittally of the event, because whatever was discussed remains unbinding. It was a political show, to seek relevance and revive old acquaintances.
If such groups parading themselves as northern leaders and elders had a genuine concern for the state of the region, they would have started long ago, the process of reviving the textile industries by bringing to live Arewa textiles in Kaduna and Kano. Cotton industries, by reviving Katsina and Zamfara rolling mills. These are some economic chips, central to the economic development of the region, and the nation in general.
ACF was very much active when Bank of the North folded. It could not compel the 19 governors to save it from the catastrophic collapse. The old guard and self-appointed Arewa leaders had yet to come to term, or initiate a program to address age long malaise — street begging. They failed to put forward a detailed roadmap to address and draw a line between Almajiri Quranic School system and Almajiranci, the later, which has the propensity to breed an army of street urchins who became recruits to criminal elements, like bandits and terror groups.
In their individual capacities, as most had been in and out of government. As elites, the best they could was to organize a Regional Conference, to address key issues such as, Security, Economy, Education, Health and Good Governance.If such Arewa groups had organized a regional summit, there wouldn’t be need to go cap in hand, courting politicians to look to north for development.
The region has what it takes to build and consolidate a modern economy. Both human and natural resources, they’re not in short supply. Dangote and Bua industries alone, given the right atmosphere, would turn around the region and transform it to an enviable economic gateway.
Till date, no leader or leadership of any pro-north group has identified the need for a regional rail line, for economic integration. The significance railway has in driving an economy are immeasurable. A possible line between Jalingo, down to Benue/Nasarawa/Plateau to Bauchi/Maiduguri axis, and from Kaduna/Kano Zamfara corridor. Aside the ease of transporting farm produce, the value chain derivable would be immense. Agriculture would be revolutionized yet again.
Instead of jostling for political relevance, self-styled Arewa leaders should get more practical, committed and remain resolute in the pursuit of policies which could unite and propel the region to a height so enviable. It must not be an elite show. No jamboree or lip-service. The region has been hurt, and left bleeding by leaders/elders who benefited directly from the legacies of the great Sardauna. They watched, as the region slip to the bottom of all indices of development. The number of out-of-school Children is put at an amazing 23 million, which the region takes a large chunk.
Development could be self-driven. In spite of all challenges, if there was to be a central figure, or groups without an ulterior motives, or self-serving, whose major passion is development of the region and nation, just maybe, we would have edge closer to eldorado.
Citizens engagement in politics, is good. Holding elected officials accountable is awesome. Pressure groups are healthy, especially in a democracy. But such movements should be championed by the populace, not the other way, where some few individuals calls the shot, and push for matters or policies,which has direct bearing to their needs, at the expense of the majority.
Abdullahi D Mohammed is with the Department of Political Science and International studies at the Ahmadu Bello University-Zaria.[email protected]