The Three Northern Regions' Youth for Development (NORYDEV), has been launched with a call on the members to eschew factionalism and petty partisanship. The association seeks to be a lobby group and aims to mobilise both human and material resources to facilitate the development of the three northern regions. Speaking at the launch, a former Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mahami Salifu warned the youth against undermining one another. That attitude, he said, created disunity among the people which was exploited by people who are not friends of the north. "Undoubtedly, northerners have proven that they are a capable people" and every effort must be made to prevent the current situation where northerner remain predominantly poor and poorly educated. "The road may be difficult but we must not allow poverty to pull us down." Madam Afi Yakubu, who chaired the occasion, expressed regret at the seeming proclivity to put emphaisis on ethnic differences. She said northerners must see themselves as one people who have common enemies; poverty, conflict, diseases, squalor and misery, and prejudice. Northerners and their friends, she argued, must be fighting these with all the strength they can muster instead of getting bugged down in needless ethnic, chieftaincy and political conflicts. Present at the launch were a representative of the Communication Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, former Interior Minister, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakuku, Alhaji Sinare, and Mustapha Hamid. The Founder Member of NORYDEV, Mr. Hafix Choggu, spelt out the vision and achievements of the association. His full statement has been published below. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com SPEECH PRESENTED BY Mr. M.A. HAFIX CHOGGU, FOUNDER OF THE THREE NORTHERN REGIONS' YOUTH FOR DEVELOPMENT(NORYDEV) DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE ORGANIZATION ON MAY 2, 2009 AT THE MIRAGE ROYAL HOTEL, ACCRA Madam Chairperson, Ministers of State, Honourable Members of Parliament, Distinguish Invited Guests, Fellow citizens of the Northern Fraternity, The Media, Distinguish Ladies and Gentlemen, Permit me to welcome you all to this important occasion which marks the official launch of The Three Northern Regions' Youth for Development (NORYDEV). Madam Chair, the purpose of this Organization is to be the focal point for identifying, harnessing and harmonizing the potentials and actions of the youth of the three Northern Regions in the attainment of peace, good governance and the developmental goals of Ghana. The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the purposes stated above, shall act in accordance with the ideals and aspirations as contained in the mission and vision of NORYDEV. Madam Chair, the organization aspires to unite the youth and if possible all the people in the three northern regions to chart a common cause. We strongly believe that it is only when we eschew violent conflict and become united that we can defeat our common enemy called squalor and abject poverty. We also intend to be the agenda setters and the leading youth development oriented organization in the three Northern Regions and beyond through research and information delivery to enhance a society made of world class youth capable of leading the three Northern Regions of Ghana to greater heights. Ladies and Gentlemen: our mission is to produce needed, relevant, reliable, accurate and timely information and practical knowledge that would boost the capacity of the youth of the three Northern Regions of Ghana to partake in issues of national development and career development for the attainment of sustainable development in the three Northern Regions and Ghana as a whole. Madam Chairperson, distinguish invited guests, the membership both associate and honorary in the Organization is open to all peace-loving citizens and non-citizens of the three Northern Regions of Ghana who believe in the aims and objectives of the organization. Ladies and Gentlemen, the world has become a global village and we as people of northern descent especially the youth cannot afford to be left out of this generational change. Our website (www.northernwingtoday.com) therefore seeks to sell the rich culture of the north to the rest of Ghana and beyond at the comfort of their homes and offices just by the click of an icon on the computer. Any information that one needs in any of the three northern regions is contained in the website. These include demographic data, culture and tourist sites in all the three regions. Our research team has been working hard to get other relevant data to put on the website for the perusal of its patrons. Indeed, today's launch of our website adds to the numerous achievements that have been chalked by NORYDEV since its inception in our quest to set a positive agenda for the youth of Northern Ghana. The following among others have been our achievements as we strive to even achieve more. We successfully mounted three Big Pre-Election 2008 peace concerts dubbed "BEACON OF PEACE" in Northern Ghana which to a large extent contributed to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in the north. Also, we have acquired Two-Acre (8 plots) of land for the construction of a state of the art Vocational Training Institution and a Recreational Centre for the three Northern Regions. Furthermore, Madam Chair, through the ingenuity of our members we were able to organize in March this year the first ever NORTHERN YOUTH DIALOGUE which deliberated on issues of major concern to the youth of Northern Ghana. We intend organizing more of this in other parts of the three Northern Regions to provide the youth with the needed platform to contribute their quota to the progress of the north. Not all, NORYDEV has produced and promoted Northern Music under the record label TARCH HOUSE. A case in point is the Peace Song titled "Tiyumtaba" (Love one another) by Sherrifa Gunu, Sherrif Ghale, Black Rasta, Abu Mohammed and Lord Wumpini which was nominated for the World Bank Sponsored Music for Development category in the lOth Ghana Music Awards. Tarch House is currently putting finishing touches to a new album by Abu Sadiq which will soon be in the market for sale. Again Madam Chair, we have made various donations to support affiliate institutions in their activities from our meager coffers. To prove a point tonight NORYDEV shall donate a whooping Two Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH ¢ 200) as part of our contribution to the educational development agenda of the Northern Students Union of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPSNSU). At this juncture Madam Chairperson, permit me to appeal to all well meaning sons and daughters of the North irrespective of the endeavor they find themselves in to marshal forces and resources in order for us to develop our motherland. It is a fact that we can never develop if we see ourselves as Kasenas, Builsas, Gonjas, Dagombas, Waalas, Sissalas, Kokombas or Dagaabas, just as we cannot wholly develop individually as Northern Region, Upper East or Upper West. We need to come together as one and forge ahead in unity. I will also like to urge the youth of the North to develop their potentials devoid of animosity and hate and to desist from over reliance on politicians since they will not be able to respond to the larger part of our needs. The North is where we are from and that is our home. As the adage goes that "No matter how high the bird flies its funeral will surely be performed on the ground". I wish to also acknowledge the overwhelming support of Hafred Company Limited and FOSDA since the inception of NORYDEV. Once again I welcome you all to the Mirage Royal Hotel for this important Launch of NORYDEV. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.