The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Arewa Community Forum, Lagos, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, has delivered a strongly worded New Year message to Northern leaders and elders, calling for deep reflection, accountability, and a renewed commitment to justice and inclusive development in 2026.
In the message, Dr. Tanko lamented what he described as the steady erosion of Nigeria’s regional stability and socio-economic foundations, attributing the situation to years of poor leadership, misgovernance, and misplaced priorities by political leaders.
He noted that Nigeria’s current challenges stand in sharp contrast to the nation’s early post-independence years, when agriculture-driven economic stability, selfless leadership, and a clear focus on nation-building and social justice defined governance.
Recalling the legacies of notable Northern leaders, Dr. Tanko highlighted the contributions of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, whom he described as a pivotal figure in expanding access to education for the underprivileged through the establishment of schools, training institutions, and scholarship programmes. According to him, initiatives such as the Northern Nigeria Development Corporation (NNDC) reflected a belief that meaningful development must be inclusive and rooted in mass education.
He also referenced other prominent leaders, including Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Kashim Ibrahim, and Mallam Aminu Kano, noting that their governance philosophy was anchored on social justice, responsibility, and service to the common citizen rather than personal ambition.
Dr. Tanko expressed concern that today, multiple sectors of the economy have deteriorated, leaving millions of children without access to quality education or employment opportunities. He warned that prolonged neglect has forced many young people onto the streets, where some are unjustly profiled as security threats, resulting in tragic consequences for innocent citizens.
According to him, developmental resources meant for education, healthcare, and community growth were diverted over the years to fund criminal networks and political interests, while vital public infrastructure such as schools and hospitals were abandoned. He added that this neglect has left communities vulnerable, with resources increasingly contested and exploited by external interests.
The Arewa leader further criticized the mismanagement of oil revenues, alleging that funds were channeled into personal luxury and foreign investments instead of community development. He said this failure has entrenched poverty, produced abandoned children, and enabled a cycle where uneducated youths are exploited for political purposes.
He observed that persistent insecurity in the North has shifted the region’s focus from development to mere survival, placing it at a disadvantage compared to other parts of the country that are advancing economically. He warned that insecurity has become a tool for suppressing progress, leaving many young people hopeless about their future.
Dr. Tanko stressed that history would ultimately judge those currently in power, adding that beyond public accountability, all leaders would answer to Allah on the Day of Judgment, when wealth, power, and influence would hold no value.
He concluded by emphasizing that the message was not driven by hatred, but by conscience, accountability, and genuine love for the people of Northern Nigeria.
“This message is about justice, responsibility, and our collective duty to the people,” he stated.
