AT last, governors and leaders of the 19  states of the defunct Northern Region seem to have realised that the primary responsibility for arresting the many challenges facing the region in particular and the nation at large lies with them.

After a prolonged period of silence in the face of terrorism in their major cities and communal killings on the Plateau, the governors have conducted series of meetings at the Niger State Lodge in Abuja under the chairmanship of Governor Aliyu Babangida of Niger State.

A committee of 40 eminent persons, led by Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim has been assigned to pursue reconciliation, healing and the restoration of security throughout the troubled north.

Babangida declared soberly: “We have realised that most of the challenges we are facing of poverty, unemployment, youth restiveness and violence are manifestation of rejection of the core values of honesty, equity, fairness and justice in our communities, societies and indeed the nation ….

“This is the time to restore the admirable lost values and virtues that previously distinguished us … We must show respect for and understanding with one another, irrespective of our differences.”

We sincerely hope that this moment of realisation will last and is genuinely and generally shared by leaders from that part of the country.

It is a positive and commendable development, taking into account that when the Boko Haram terrorist organisation launched its bloody campaigns about this time last year, there was what many termed a cult of silent approval among some sections of the leadership. Some even openly grovelled before the group as if eager to save themselves and families from being targeted.

There was this mistaken notion that the terrorists were fighting for the interests of a particular religion and that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan was the primary target.

As a newspaper, we knew from experience that this notion was wrong and shared our concern. We are convinced that violence and anarchy in any part of the country is a problem for all Nigerians, but the immediate theatre of violence will naturally bear the primary brunt.

We wish the Ambassador Ibrahim committee success in its assignment and urge the Federal Government and all Nigerians to render whatever assistance necessary to restore peace, security and healing to northern Nigeria.

We look forward to a new future where religion, ethnicity and regionalism will cease to divide us. Rather, our diversity should be our strength and the building blocks of a greater nation.

If the leaders of the north are sincere and apply themselves to this task, with the help of all Nigerians the problems confronting us from that end will be a thing of the past soonest.