Northern CAN seeks end to stereotypes, tasks Governor Inuwa on regional peace

Chairman of Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory Rev. John Joseph Hayab has called for a regional framework to dismantle entrenched stereotypes and entrench lasting peace across Northern Nigeria.

Rev. Hayab, made the call during a courtesy visit to Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya in Gombe, urging him, to use his position as Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, to lead a coordinated regional drive that will foster unity, bridge divides, and consolidate peace across the region.

Rev. Hayab, who commended the Governor for what he described as a purposeful and inclusive leadership style, noted that he has transformed Gombe and positioned the state as a model for peace-building and harmonious coexistence at a time when the region is grappling with deepening divisions and mistrust.

He recalled the Governor’s swift and compassionate interventions during moments of crisis, particularly a recent incident in which the state government fully offset the medical bills of Christian victims and extended moral as well as institutional support to their families, saying such acts reflect a rare quality of leadership that should be emulated nationwide.

“At this critical moment in our history, when suspicion, stereotypes, and divisions have crept deep into the fabric of our society, there is no better person than yourself to lead the urgent conversation and actions required to reclaim our shared values of unity, peace, and mutual respect,” the CAN Chairman declared.

He urged the Governor to rally his colleagues in the Forum towards a collective agenda for regional healing and reintegration.

Hayab also proposed the establishment of a North-wide peace and unity framework that would bring together traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth influencers, and public officials for regular dialogue and collaborative action, stressing that the future stability of the region depends on raising young people who will learn, grow, and work together without being defined or divided by religion or ethnicity, but instead bound by shared humanity and a common vision for progress.

The CAN leader also praised the Governor’s visible strides in infrastructural and institutional development, citing landmark projects such as the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, the network of mega schools designed to redefine educational standards, the comprehensive reconstruction of the General Hospital in Kumo which paved the way for its elevation to a Federal Medical Centre, and the upgrading of the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery which have now become vital training hubs for the health sector.

He further noted the state’s expansive road network, monumental structures such as the High Court Complex, the new State Assembly building, and the ultra-modern State Secretariat, describing them as investments with long-term socioeconomic benefits.

If such vision-driven and people-centred initiatives were replicated across the North and the country at large, Hayab said, “we would have a glimpse of heaven here on earth.” He added that Gombe’s governance model stands as a testament to the possibilities purposeful leadership can achieve when driven by sincerity of purpose and inclusivity.

In his response, Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed appreciation to the CAN leadership for the visit and for choosing Gombe as the host for the NEC meeting of the association’s youth wing, noting that it was a testament to the state’s reputation as a peaceful, secure, and hospitable environment.

He underscored his administration’s belief in the unity of all people regardless of religion, ethnicity, or culture, affirming Rev. Hayab’s position that in the eyes of God, humanity remains one and indivisible, and that hatred and division have no place in a progressive society.

The Governor called on Northerners to draw inspiration from the legacies of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose vision for unity and peaceful coexistence remains relevant to present-day challenges.

He revealed that on assuming office in 2019, his administration inherited a state without a development blueprint, a gap that led to the formulation of DEVAGOM, a ten-year development plan aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and endorsed by the Gombe State House of Assembly which now guides all projects and interventions to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

Governor Yahaya reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with all religious, ethnic, and professional groups to build a peaceful and united Gombe, and by extension, a stable and prosperous North.