The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has called for a region-wide framework to dismantle entrenched stereotypes and secure lasting peace across Northern Nigeria.
Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya in Gombe. He asked the Governor, in his capacity as Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, to spearhead a coordinated effort that would foster unity, bridge divides, and consolidate peace throughout the region.
Rev. Hayab, who praised Governor Yahaya for what he described as an inclusive and purposeful leadership style, said the Governor had transformed Gombe into a model for peace-building and harmonious coexistence at a time when Northern Nigeria is wrestling with deepening divisions and mistrust.
He recalled the Governor’s swift and compassionate interventions in moments of crisis, particularly a recent incident in which the state government covered the medical bills of Christian victims and extended both moral and institutional support to their families. Such gestures, he said, reflect a rare quality of leadership worthy of emulation nationwide.
“At this critical point in our history, when suspicion, stereotypes, and divisions have sunk 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,” Rev. Hayab stated.
He called on the Governor to mobilise his colleagues in the Forum towards a joint programme for regional healing and reintegration.
The CAN leader proposed the creation of a North-wide peace and unity framework that would bring together traditional rulers, religious figures, youth leaders, and public officials for regular dialogue and collaborative initiatives.
He stressed that the region’s long-term stability depends on raising a generation of young people who will learn, work, and grow together without being defined or divided by religion or ethnicity, but instead bound by shared humanity and a collective vision for progress.
Rev. Hayab also commended the Governor’s record in infrastructural and institutional development. He cited signature projects such as the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, a network of mega schools aimed at redefining education, the reconstruction of the General Hospital in Kumo leading to its elevation as a Federal Medical Centre, and the upgrading of the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery which now serve as vital training hubs for the health sector.
He further pointed to the state’s extensive road network, the new High Court Complex, the State Assembly building, and the ultra-modern State Secretariat, describing them as strategic investments with lasting socioeconomic impact.
According to him, if such vision-driven and people-focused initiatives were replicated across the North and the nation, “we would have a glimpse of heaven here on earth.” He added that Gombe’s governance model demonstrates what purposeful leadership can achieve when anchored on sincerity and inclusivity.
In his response, Governor Yahaya thanked the CAN leadership for the visit and for selecting Gombe as the host for the NEC meeting of the association’s youth wing, describing it as an affirmation of the state’s reputation for peace, security, and hospitality.
He reaffirmed his administration’s belief in the unity of all people regardless of religion, ethnicity, or culture, agreeing with Rev. Hayab’s assertion that in the eyes of God, humanity is one and indivisible, and that division and hatred have no place in a society seeking progress.
The Governor urged Northerners to take inspiration from the legacy of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose vision for unity and peaceful coexistence remains relevant today.
He disclosed that upon assuming office in 2019, his administration inherited a state without a development blueprint. This, he said, led to the creation of DEVAGOM, a ten-year development plan aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and approved by the Gombe State House of Assembly, which now guides all government projects to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.
Governor Yahaya pledged to continue working with all religious, ethnic, and professional groups to build a peaceful and united Gombe, and in turn, a stable and prosperous North.
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