Written By Daniel Karlmax; Edited By Godwin Duru
The Director-General of the Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative (ACI), Dr. Abdullahi Idris, has called on Nigerians to set aside political, ethnic and religious differences and unite in confronting growing security challenges.
Speaking at the opening of the Arewa Awareness Summit on Unity Against Insecurity in Kaduna , Dr. Idris described the gathering as a historic platform to chart a new course for Northern Nigeria through collective action, cooperation and shared responsibility.
He said the theme of the summit, “Unity, Cooperation and Collective Action Against Insecurity,” reflects the urgent need for all stakeholders to work together in tackling insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats that have continued to undermine peace and development across the region.
According to him, the time has come for Northern Nigerians to rise above political affiliations, ethnic sentiments and religious divisions in pursuit of a common goal of restoring peace and stability.
He described the summit as a strategic intervention aimed at transforming discussions into practical solutions by rebuilding trust between communities and government institutions while strengthening collaboration among others.
He urged traditional rulers and religious leaders to use their influence to foster reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, while encouraging young people and women to take active roles in promoting peace and community development.
Dr. Idris noted that the summit would go beyond speeches, featuring technical sessions, conflict mapping and stakeholder engagements designed to produce a comprehensive regional peace and security framework.
He disclosed that ACI would institutionalize quarterly dialogue platforms and establish a network of community peace and youth ambassadors to sustain the momentum generated by the summit and ensure that its resolutions translate into concrete action.
Presenting a paper titled “Youth Empowerment as a Strategy for Preventing Violence, Extremism and Insecurity in Northern Nigeria,” the Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Professor Andrew Haruna, said sustainable security requires more than military action.
According to him, lasting peace depends on equal citizenship, accountable leadership, access to quality education, economic opportunities and inclusive governance.
Prof. Haruna advocated the immediate development of integrated security strategies across Northern states, covering education, employment, social cohesion, civic participation and peacebuilding.
He stressed the need for educational reforms that prioritise vocational and technical skills, digital competence, agriculture, entrepreneurship and technology-driven innovation.
The university administrator also called for greater youth participation in local governance, peacebuilding structures and early warning mechanisms, describing young people as critical stakeholders in promoting sustainable peace.
“The greatest investment we can make is to raise a generation of young people who are educated, employable, ethical, socially responsible and hopeful,” he said.
Also speaking, environmental expert Professor Ibrahim Saleh described the summit as timely and significant, saying it reminded young people of the values that once defined Northern Nigeria and the need to restore those ideals.
He commended the organisers and lead paper presenters, noting that they represented diverse parts of Northern Nigeria, including institutions located in areas that have experienced prolonged security challenges.
According to him, the presentations provided historical perspectives on Northern Nigeria’s leadership before and after colonial rule, highlighting the values of patriotism, selfless leadership and peaceful coexistence that once characterised the region.
Prof. Saleh urged Nigerians to reject ethnic profiling and avoid labelling entire communities because of the actions of a few criminal elements.
He argued that every ethnic group has law-abiding citizens as well as individuals involved in crime, adding that criminality should never be used to stigmatise an entire people.
“A criminal should be identified as a criminal, regardless of ethnic or religious background. We must stop branding entire ethnic groups because of the actions of a few individuals.
Criminals exist in every community, and peace can only be achieved when we judge individuals by their actions rather than their identity,” he said.
Prof. Saleh stressed that Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a source of strength rather than division.
He called on Nigerians to respect one another’s differences, accommodate one another and work collectively towards building a peaceful and united nation.
“If Nigeria is peaceful, every community will enjoy peace. That is why we must change the narrative, reject stereotypes and embrace unity, tolerance and mutual respect,” he added.
The summit attracted participants from government, security agencies, academia, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, as well as development partners, all united in exploring practical solutions to insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
