The Arewa Consultative Forum has urged political, religious, and traditional leaders in the North to tackle the several social issues affecting the region.

The forum revealed this recently at a meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

According to ACF, leaders in the region have to take quick steps to arrest the deteriorating security situation in the North while they still can.

ACF added that Northern states must take advantage of the N75 billion loan to farmers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL)

The group said, “Northern leaders must take urgent steps to enhance school enrollment and eradicate the rampant incidence of street begging which is very unhealthy for the overall development of the north.”

“Northern states should take advantage of the N75 billion loan to farmers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing in Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

“Unemployment has become a big menace to the northern region. State governors are advised to design employment schemes for our teeming youths who have become frustrated and pose an additional threat to the security of the north and the country.

“State governors are also advised to key into programmes of the federal government designed to offer employment to the youth and alleviate poverty.