What have you been doing since the January inaugural meeting?
We have been busy drawing the group’s working document and action plan, which are now ready for the ratification of the General Assembly. Similarly, the contact and mobilisation sub-committee has been busy identifying various leaders and stakeholders from the zone, with the view to carrying them along so that we could collaboratively pursue the interest of the North Central zone.
Can I gain insight into your action plan?
Why not? The action plan is designed in line with our key objectives to among others: Strive for economic liberation of the zone, a situation where our teeming youths remained unemployed, and our people continue to wallow in abject poverty, despite the vast economic potential of our zone is unacceptable.
We are therefore working towards launching an aggressive campaign for massive foreign and local investments in our solid mineral sector (sector), to boast our economy and create jobs.
We are also working on strategic economic master plan to resuscitate all the moribund federal economic presence in our zone that have been abandoned by the government. The industries include: Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill, Itakpe Iron Ore Mining Company, Paper Mill Jebba, dredging of River Niger from Warri to Lokoja to Makurdi in Benue State.
Secondly, our action plan is also aimed at addressing the question of the marginalisation of the zone in terms of allocation of resources, appointments and infrastructural development. Considering the contributions made by the North Central zone both in terms of human and material resources, the sacrifices of our selfless leaders like Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Babangida, Gen. Abdulsalami to mention a few, for the survival of this nation, you will agree with me that the zone needs to be properly placed in the scheme of things to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Thirdly, on the issue of security, we are trying to evolve conflict resolution mechanism which will tackle and resolve all conflicts within the zone that can lead to violence in whatever form. The details of the conflict resolution initiative will be made public in due course.
What is your take on the declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States?
Oh! It is long overdue and we are in support of it. Many lives and property would have been saved if it had been declared long before now. The declaration of a state of emergency becomes necessary when there is a total breakdown of law and order, and no right-thinking Nigerian will oppose the declaration because there is a total breakdown of law and order in Borno and Yobe States in particular. The state of emergency has therefore become a necessity in order to restore peace and security.
The Boko Haram insurgency is an expression of frustration and political disenchantment of our unemployed youths from this area. While we appeal to the government to adopt an economic approach to solving the problem of Boko Haram, we will also appeal to our youths, particularly members of the sect to embrace dialogue and negotiation and put an end to this.
What is your view on the massacre of security personnel in Nasarawa State recently?
It is an unfortunate situation. When those we run to for safety are no more vulnerable than us, then, I am afraid. The government must ensure that the culprits are fished out and brought to book no matter how highly placed. That is the only way such occurrences which is now gaining ground across the country could be curtailed. Meanwhile we are consulting to see how we can intervene and reconcile the warring groups in the state and in other areas.
What is the group’s plan for the 2015 election?
Well, as you already know, the group is a socio-political organisation created to champion the cause of our people. We are putting our acts together to ensure that North Central zone is no longer a political battlefield where various presidential gladiators will come for cheap votes with unfulfilled promises.
We would encourage any of our own who profess interest in the office in 2015, failing which we would be ready to negotiate the perceived interest of the zone with any presidential candidate who desires our votes. We are already approaching our political leaders and we are getting favourable response.