North Must Unite to Unlock Economic Prosperity –  Bala Mohammed

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has said the prosperity of Northern Nigeria can only be secured through purposeful partnership among government, businesses, financial institutions, development partners and communities.

Mohammed stated this on Friday at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Coalition of Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA), held at the International Conference Centre, Bauchi, with the theme, “Turning Point: From Northern Potential to Shared Prosperity.”

The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Hashimu Yakubu Kumbala, said Northern Nigeria was endowed with vast arable land, livestock, mineral resources, a large population, strategic commercial centres and historic links to markets across West and Central Africa.

He, however, said the major challenge was converting these resources into productive enterprises, decent jobs, competitive exports and sustainable prosperity.

He stressed that the region could not achieve meaningful transformation by exporting raw materials and importing finished products, insisting that industrialisation, reliable infrastructure, affordable energy, access to finance, innovation and modern technology were critical.

Mohammed also called for stronger regional cooperation, urging Northern states to avoid pursuing economic development in isolation.

He said Northern Nigeria must become a region that not only produces but also processes, manufactures, innovates and trades competitively within Nigeria, Africa and the global economy.

The governor charged chambers of commerce to serve as a bridge between government and the private sector, investors and viable opportunities, entrepreneurs and finance, and Northern producers and national and international markets.

He said the government had a responsibility to provide security, infrastructure, sound policies and an enabling environment, while the private sector must contribute capital, enterprise, innovation, efficiency and employment.

Meanwhile, the newly elected CONSCCIMA President, Alhaji Ahmed Ashemi, pledged to work closely with federal and state governments to ensure that policies on agriculture, mining, trade and industry reflected the realities and potentials of Northern Nigeria.

Ashemi, in his acceptance speech, identified insecurity, infrastructure deficits, limited access to finance for MSMEs and disrupted value chains among the challenges facing businesses in the region.

He described his election as a call to service and pledged to make advocacy and policy engagement a major focus of his administration.He said CONSCCIMA would continue to work towards protecting the interests of businesses and promoting inclusive economic growth across Northern Nigeria.e to Unlock Economic Prosperity – Gov Mohammed