Nastura Shariff Urges Northerners to Ensure Accountability in Development Commissions

By Suhaib Auwal

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Comrade Nastura Ashir Shariff, has called on the people of Northern Nigeria to closely monitor the activities of regional development commissions to ensure that development in the region is properly planned, implemented, and sustained.

Comrade Shariff made the call in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Kano, Suhaib Auwal, where he expressed deep concern over persistent security challenges, rising cases of drug abuse, and increasing youth unemployment, describing them as major threats to peace, social stability, and economic growth in the North.

He spoke shortly after attending the North West Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by the North West Development Commission in Kaduna.

The meeting brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, youth groups, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges facing the region.

According to him, insecurity has continued to discourage investment and disrupt economic activities, while drug abuse has destroyed the potential of many young people and weakened community values.

He stressed that youth unemployment remains one of the root causes of social unrest, crime, and radicalisation in the region.

“If we want peace and development to return to the North, we must first address the problem of unemployment among our youths by providing them with skills, opportunities, and access to decent jobs,” he said.

The CNG BoT chairman further advocated for the revival of local industries and the establishment of new manufacturing centres across the region, stressing that industrialisation would help reduce dependence on imports and boost internally generated revenue.

He emphasised the importance of improving electricity supply, road networks, and digital infrastructure, saying that reliable power and modern facilities are critical for attracting investors and supporting small and medium-scale enterprises.

He also appealed to political leaders to place regional interest above personal ambitions and work together in formulating people-oriented policies.

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