Insecurity: The solution comes from northerners, says Northern group- Stakeholders in northern Nigeria have now begun discussing solutions concerning the insecurity in the region - One of such groups is the influential Unity in Diversity Forum led by Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed - The group in a communique, outlined its observations and recommendations on the crisis in the north PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! A northern group, Unity in Diversity Forum, on Monday, December 7 challenged indigenes of northern Nigeria to assist the authorities in finding solutions to the mounting insecurity in the region. The group's advice was contained in a communique it issued and seen by Legit.ng after a round table discussion themed: Survive or Surrender: The Northern Nexus in Abuja. Legit.ng gathered that the forum is a group of young people from diverse political, ethnic, religious, tribal, regional, professional, and other backgrounds and affiliations, that organises annual discussions on varying issues of topical nature on the future of Nigeria. Read also Amid calls for sack of service chiefs, DSS boss sends crucial meesage to Nigerians Speaking at the event, the convener of the forum, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed noted that this year's discussion focused on security, education, economy, and infrastructure in northern Nigeria. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! His words: Outlining its observations, the group said: 1. There is a serious challenge about national and regional identity where we are classified based on religion and/or ethnicity which has caused division among northerners. A northerner is identified by his state of origin than his state of residence. Read also We're in trouble - Ex-president Jonathan says amid rising security under Buhari, loss of unity among youths 2. There is a breakdown of and weakening of institutions that handle security, economy, education, and infrastructure. 3. There is an absence of governance at the local government level and the traditional rulers are weakened. 4. Endemic poverty in the north is caused by discrimination and the disenfranchisement of women that form a large percentage of the population in the north. Part of the group's recommendation is that: 1. The approach to education should be first prioritized on equality (improving girl-child education), availability/accessibility, then quality. 2. There should be more inclusion of women in politics for an equilibrium during national discourse. 3. There should be a pursuit of the constitutional role of the traditional rulers so as to solve security and socio-economic challenges being more accessible to the grassroots 4. There should be a reform in the election of the local government level. 5. Special elite forces should be deployed to all the known roads and highways on a 24-hour shift. Read also Buhari's govt has failed on security - Northern group spits fire, reveals its next move 6. Clearing the bushes by at least one mile away from the highways. Recall that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, recently condemned the incessant abductions and killings by bandits in northern Nigeria. Alhaji Abubakar, who is the leader of Nigerian Muslims, on Thursday, November 26 said lamented that the bandits are so daring that they now go into houses to kidnap people. Meanwhile, the Democratic Coalition of Nigeria (DCN) on Monday, November 30, alleged that some members of the opposition have continually initiated moves to undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria through the sponsorship of violence across the country. The group, in a statement seen by Legit.ng said that the wave of violence across the country is the handiwork of those that are hell-bent on truncating democracy in Nigeria. Service Chiefs must go - Nigerians to Buhari | Legit TV Read also Boko Haram, Banditry: Don't be afraid, we're in control - Military assures Nigerians Source: Legit.ng - Stakeholders in northern Nigeria have now begun discussing solutions concerning the insecurity in the region - One of such groups is the influential Unity in Diversity Forum led by Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed - The group in a communique, outlined its observations and recommendations on the crisis in the north PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng Legit.ng PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng “lt is a discussion to get the younger northerners, to be more actively involved in finding solutions to the challenges that bedevil the north in the areas aforementioned. “We have also discussed the need for conversing on national/northern identity because we mostly identify ourselves by our religion first, then our ethnicity before we consider nationality. “We have also come to the realisation the major problem of the north are the northerners themselves therefore it is only logical that the solution comes from the northerners.”