Gboyega Adejumo, the former Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, a prominent Yoruba socio-political organization under the leadership of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has clarified that his recent comments regarding the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and its criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies were made in his capacity as an individual, not as a representative of Afenifere. He emphasized that since vacating his official position, he no longer speaks on behalf of the organization. His intent, according to him, was to address the narrative surrounding the economic challenges facing the North in the context of Tinubu’s presidency.
The ACF had publicly condemned President Tinubu’s economic strategies, arguing that they lack a human dimension and have exacerbated poverty in the Northern regions. Adejumo responded to this critique by asserting that while he recognizes the inadequacies in the President’s economic policies, attributing the lasting poverty in the North solely to the current administration overlooks deeper-rooted issues. He underscored the historical nature of poverty in the North and emphasized that solutions to this persistent challenge are required beyond partisan blame for the present leadership.
Adejumo pinpointed a significant contributor to poverty in the North: education. He noted that approximately 40 million children in the North are out of school, a situation he attributes to inadequate educational infrastructure and societal practices. He criticized traditional practices such as the almajiri system—where children are sent to religious schools often with the expectation to beg for survival. Adejumo expressed concern that this legacy continues to perpetuate cycles of poverty, rendering the region vulnerable to exploitation, including recruitment into factions such as Boko Haram and ISWAP.
Moreover, he raised a critical inquiry about the northern leadership’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. Referring to the past initiative of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who established roughly 150 almajiri schools aimed at tackling this educational gap, Adejumo questioned whether the northern elite actively leveraged such opportunities to uplift their communities. He suggested that a refusal to embrace these educational initiatives stems from a desire within the northern leadership to retain power dynamics that favor a select few—a feudal system that continues to marginalize the broader population.
In his assessment, Adejumo positioned the educational plight of the North at the heart of its poverty crisis, urging that without significant investment in education, future generations would remain entrapped in a cycle of deprivation. He heeded the need to reform outdated practices that, instead of nurturing, contribute to societal issues. By rejecting adverse legacies, he advocates for a more proactive approach in shaping the future of Northern children, thus empowering them for transformative opportunities.
In conclusion, although Adejumo’s remarks stemmed from a personal perspective rather than an organizational stance, they contribute to an essential conversation about accountability and the multifaceted dimensions of poverty in the North. His call for educational reform and an end to the entrenched practices of child marginalization resonates as a critical component for addressing the socioeconomic landscape in Nigeria. As the discourse continues, it becomes increasingly vital for all stakeholders to foster genuine collaboration and actionable solutions that prioritize the welfare and empowerment of Northern children for a better, sustainable future.
