Buratai Urges Youth Engagement, National Unity at ACF 25th Anniversary

Retired General highlights youth empowerment and cross-sector partnerships as keys to progress

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Chairman of the occasion at the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) 25th Anniversary and Endowment Fund Launch, Ambassador Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), CFR, has called for deeper youth engagement, strengthened community resilience and increased investment in tourism, agriculture and creative industries as pathways to securing the future of northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the event held at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Hall, Kaduna, Buratai praised the ACF leadership for sustaining the Forum’s vision over the last 25 years, noting that northern development must now be pursued with a national outlook, inclusivity, and cross-sector collaboration.

Below is his address:

AMBASSADOR LT-GEN. TUKUR YUSUFU BURATAI (RTD), CFR, CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCASION AT THE ACF 25TH ANNIVERSARY ROUND TABLE 1

The protocol has been well established by the MC. We are here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, a forum formed primarily to promote an interest that is regional, but with a national outlook. Today’s celebration calls for deep reflection on what has transpired in the last 25 years and what lies ahead.

Specifically, the youth have been addressed on this occasion, and this is where the theme, Creative Economy: Engaging the Youth, plays a very important role. We look forward to robust deliberations in the various discourses to be held here for the next three days, and the grand finale with the endowment launch, which will further solidify the interests of northern youth and Nigerian youth at large.

Northern Nigeria is a microcosm of the whole country. Once you develop one part, it translates to others. Our country is no longer homogenous as it used to be; cultures, religions and peoples are now widespread across all regions. This makes today not just a northern celebration, but one with a national outlook.

I am happy with the array of personalities discussing issues pertaining to the North, coming from across different parts of the country. Let me use this opportunity to congratulate our Chairman, Board of Trustees, for putting this event together perfectly. We expect more dignitaries and more youth to populate this event as it goes on.

Once again, it is my honour to be given this responsibility on such short notice and I thank you. I assure you that the Arewa Consultative Forum is meant to carry the youth, the girl-child, men, women, and the elderly along as the years go by.

The occasion has already been declared open. Thank you for your attendance. We look forward to a highly engaging programme. Before I sit down, please take a little time for consultation. As you step out during the breaks, see the doctor just outside the hall. The T.Y. Buratai Humanity Care Foundation is providing medical outreach as earlier announced. Thank you and God bless.

SUMMARY OF ROUND-TABLE 2 DISCUSSION:

All protocols have been duly observed. I acknowledge the presence of the Honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and we thank you for coming.

The Honourable Commissioner from Yobe State, representing the Governor, spoke extensively on the nexus between tourism and security, highlighting the challenges in the Northeast and the immense potential in desert sports including camel racing, horse riding and desert car racing, which is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the Middle East. He stressed the need for infrastructure, security and strong public-private partnerships.

Architect Ibrahim Faskari shared his experience transitioning from architecture to agriculture, offering an important lesson to the youth on diversification and personal initiative. His call for deliberate agricultural investment by state governments is valid, especially given that 70% of Nigeria’s arable land lies in the North.

Another critical point raised was the need for a national branding campaign to counter negative perceptions, backed by strong marketing and community-based sustainable tourism. This also includes the need for tourism policing, which many countries already operate.

Hajiya Amina narrated personal encounters with insecurity, underscoring the necessity of community resilience. Communities must defend themselves at the early stage before government support arrives. Cases like in Azare were cited as examples of where community vigilance prevented insurgent infiltration.

The CDS representative emphasized strategic security, collaboration and intelligence primacy, while the NSA reinforced the importance of inter-agency cooperation.

Finally, I commend the Honourable Minister for Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy for partnering with ACF to expose youths to viable opportunities beyond government jobs. Young people must embrace discipline, lawful ventures, and respect for leadership as they engage with the creative economy. Thank you once again. I look forward to further engagements.