Date: 2024-09-15

The Mutawali of Ilorin, and Patron of GAMJI Members Association, GAMA, Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq has called on Northern Nigeria leaders to urgently address the twin- issue of educational backwardness and youth unemployment to boost security in the region.

Addressing members of GAMA in his Surulere residence, Ilorin, Kwara State, AbdulRazaq said the leaders must urgently address the educational challenge by encouraging mass enrolment of northern youths in schools.

He noted that educated citizens would not take up arms against the state and innocent citizens.

AbdulRazaq who is also the grand patron of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF)in Kwara State, traced the problem of insecurity in the north to lack of access to education and youth unemployment and encouraged leaders to tackle them as the two are the major causes of banditry and insecurity generally in the north.

He said; “Kwara for instance is an example of a peaceful state. We want our leaders to replicate Kwara's model across the 19 northern states. We thank the leadership of Kwara State and security agencies.”

“There are challenges in the north today because of the failure of successive northern leadership to promote the ideals of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello and his colleagues. We must promote unity amongst northerners. We in Kwara will continue to promote and uphold the ideals of the late Sardauna,” AbdulRazaq said.

He praised members of GAMA for their perseverance and for sustaining and promoting the ideals of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, whom he noted prioritised the development of the north and its people during his time.

He congratulated the Sardauna of Ilorin , Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and prayed Allah to grant him long reign and more successes as a political leader and traditional title holder.

The President General of GAMA, Alhaji Mohammed Akanbi noted that the history of Northern Nigeria would be incomplete without mentioning the name of the late patriarch of AbdulRazaq's family of Ilorin, Alhaji AGF AbdulRazaq (SAN) who was the first lawyer in the entire northern region.

He expressed delight that Dr Alimi AbdulRazaq has stepped into the shoes of the elder AbdulRazaq.

Akanbi said that GAMA was proud of the achievements of the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. He noted that the governor has not only ensured the development of every part of the state, but has turned Ilorin, the state capital into a model city.

He equally thanked the Mutawali for being a selfless leader who prioritised the well being of his people in the State.

In their remarks, the Senior Special Assistant/ Counselor to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu and Non Executive Director of NNPCL, Dr Ghali Alaaya corroborated Akanbi, saying;

“We thank Mutawali for his passion and untiring selfless efforts to see the younger generation through to the ladder of their profession and careers.”