Yobe South Unity Forum committed to fight against tribalism, bad governance – Hassan B. Joda
Story by Kasim Isa MUHAMMAD, Damaturu
Hassan Bomai Joda, chairman of the Yobe South Unity Forum, a pressure group dedicated to uniting the people of Potiskum, Nangere, Fika, and Fune local government areas in Yobe State has emphasised the importance of addressing tribalism to promote transparency in Yobe South’s political landscape.
In an exclusive interview with Neptune Prime, Joda shared insights on the platform’s mission and vision.
He said, “We established this forum a year ago, to unite the people of Potiskum, Nangere, Fika, and Fune local government areas of Yobe State. Yobe South is politically backward, and we wanted to find solutions to our problems.
“Tribalism has been affecting us, and we decided to establish this platform to promote unity and shun tribalism. Our zone comprises many tribes, which has affected our political terrain and overall development. We aim to bring people together, foster unity, and address the issues hindering our progress. By doing so, we hope to create an environment conducive for growth and development.
Speaking on the role of the forum in promoting good governance and youth engagement, Joda said, “We play a critical role in promoting good governance in Yobe South. We monitor political activities, write petitions to our representatives, and prioritise youth engagement.
“Most of our members are young people, as they are the backbone of society. We believe that youth participation is essential for meaningful change. Recently, we petitioned the Yobe State House of Assembly regarding the Potiskum local government chairman’s failure to swear-in councilors and LGA secretaries.
“This demonstrates our commitment to holding leaders accountable and ensuring good governance. Our youth-focused approach ensures that the next generation is equipped to lead and make informed decisions.
“The Chairman, Salisu Mukhtari, has been out of the state since his election and failed to swear-in our councillors. We found out that all other LGAs had sworn in their executives, except Potiskum. The Chairman barely spends ten days out of 100 in the state, and basic problems remain unchanged.
“We wrote to the assembly to compel him to take action. This inaction has hindered development in Potiskum, and we’re determined to ensure that our leaders prioritise the people’s needs. The people of Potiskum deserve better, and we’ll continue to advocate for their rights.
Joda said holding leaders accountable remains the key focus of the Yobe Unity Forum.
“Holding leaders accountable is part of our agenda. We’re not politically affiliated and don’t engage in partisan politics. Our goal is to promote transparency and accountability, ensuring that leaders serve the people’s interests. We’ll continue to monitor their activities and speak out when necessary. Accountability is fundamental for good governance, and we’re committed to ensuring that our leaders are answerable to the people.
“We aim to change the political landscape of Yobe South, tackle tribalism, improve educational standards, healthcare, and infrastructural development. We want everything in order in Yobe South. Our vision is to create a united, prosperous, and developed zone where everyone has equal opportunity. We’re committed to working tirelessly to achieve this vision. We believe that by addressing these key areas, we can create a brighter future for Yobe South.
Speaking on the challenges the forum face, he said, “We face numerous challenges from political actors who are unhappy with our aim to hold them accountable. Some have sent insults on social media. Uniting people is also a challenge, as we struggle to stop tribalism. However, we remain resolute in our mission. We’re not deterred by these challenges and will continue to push for positive change. Our commitment to unity and accountability remains overwhelming.
“Our leadership style is different; we don’t expect anything from politicians. Our aim is to change the narrative. With honesty, transparency, and accountability, we’ve done incredibly well in our first year. We’ll continue to engage with the community, listen to their concerns, and address their needs. Our sustainability depends on community support and participation. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received.
Joda further encouraged like-minded individuals to join the forum and participate in promoting unity and accountability.
“Many have shown interest, but we don’t want politicians to participate. Our door is open for individuals who want to contribute to the movement. We welcome volunteers, experts, and community leaders who share our vision. Together, we can create a better future for Yobe South. We encourage like-minded individuals to join us in promoting unity and accountability.
“We’re available on WhatsApp, Facebook, and other platforms, ready to receive complaints from people. Our contact information is publicly available. We encourage everyone to reach out to us with concerns, suggestions, or ideas. We value feedback and use it to improve our services. Our commitment to accountability extends to our own organisation, and we welcome any concerns or suggestions on how we can better serve Yobe South.
“Our vision is to create a united, prosperous, and developed zone where everyone has equal opportunities. We envision a Yobe South where tribalism is a thing of the past, where leaders prioritise the people’s needs, and where education, healthcare, and infrastructure are of high standards. We’re committed to working tirelessly to achieve this vision.
“We see the Yobe Unity Forum becoming a model for community-driven change in Nigeria. We envision expanding our reach, engaging more youth, and fostering partnerships with like-minded organisations. We’ll continue to push for accountability, transparency, and good governance. Our ultimate goal is to create a lasting impact on Yobe South, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
“We should understand that politics holds us back. When we put politics aside, we’re brothers and keepers. We should shun tribalism and support this platform for a better future. Let’s unite and work towards a common goal – a prosperous Yobe South. Together, we can achieve greatness. We urge everyone to join us in promoting unity, accountability, and development,” the chairman said.
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Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
