Convener of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi, has urged political leaders and stakeholders in Northern Nigeria to confront the region's development and leadership challenges head-on. In an open letter titled “A LETTER TO THIS GENERATION OF AREWA”, Showunmi emphasized the need for collective action to address the socioeconomic and insecurity challenges facing the region. He warned that failure to do so could lead to the North missing another opportunity for growth and development.
Showunmi lamented that Northern Nigeria, despite being blessed with intelligence, history, culture, and resources, is now characterized by painful statistics of out-of-school children, farmers afraid to return to farms, and mothers struggling to feed their children. He expressed concern that young people in the region are vulnerable to violence due to lack of opportunity. Showunmi questioned what the founding fathers of the region, such as Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, would say if they saw the present state of the North.
The letter, which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta at the weekend, recalled the transformative development vision of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the unfulfilled national hope that Chief MKO Abiola represented. Showunmi noted that Nigeria is currently at another consequential moment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He argued that Tinubu’s economic reforms, though harsh on vulnerable households, must be judged by evidence and outcomes.
Showunmi challenged the North not to stand outside every difficult national conversation out of political antagonism, warning that regional identity should not be used to shield leaders from scrutiny. He emphasized that leadership must be measured not by offices occupied or crowds commanded, but by functioning schools, accessible hospitals, safer communities, jobs created, and whether a child born into poverty has a realistic chance to escape it.
In a direct appeal to young people, Showunmi told the Arewa youth that they are not just the future but the present of the North. He urged them to demand quality education, productive jobs, accountable governance, and to refuse to inherit the excuses of the past. Showunmi emphasized that the youth have a critical role to play in shaping the future of the region.
Showunmi imagined a different North where every child has access to quality education, farmers process their produce locally, businesses thrive with reliable energy, healthcare is accessible, and political leaders compete on who has improved lives rather than who occupies the next office. He concluded by asking what the present generation will tell its children when they ask what was done in this moment to address the region's challenges.
Showunmi declared that history is asking Arewa a question and its children are waiting for the answer. He emphasized that the time has come to choose transformation over political rivalry. The letter has sparked a renewed call to action for Arewa leaders to prioritize the development and well-being of the region.
Key points
- Segun Showunmi calls on Arewa leaders to address socioeconomic and insecurity challenges in Northern Nigeria.
- Showunmi urges young people to demand quality education, productive jobs, and accountable governance.
- The letter sparks a renewed call to action for Arewa leaders to prioritize the development and well-being of the region.
