Borno State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepen collaboration with the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development (ALFOPED) in advancing transitional justice, peacebuilding, and sustainable reintegration for victims and survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency across Bama and Gwoza Local Government Areas.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, restated the government’s position during a consultative visit by the Allamin Foundation’s management and technical team, led by its Founder and Executive Director, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, on Friday in Maiduguri.
Gambo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Hamza Mohammed, praised the foundation’s ongoing work and assured the team of “strong partnership on reintegration, reconciliation, transitional justice and peacebuilding.”
The ministry’s Director of Social Welfare, Hajiya Aisha Shettima, also briefed the delegation on ongoing rehabilitation, reconciliation, and livelihood-support programmes being implemented for women and children affected by the conflict. She explained that the ministry would continue to work closely with the foundation in alignment with the state’s Post-Insurgency Transformation Strategic Development Plan, including the Borno RRRDDD Model currently in use.
Earlier in her remarks, ALFOPED Executive Director, Hamsatu Allamin, highlighted the broader framework of the initiative, noting that “The European Union (EU) is supporting the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Borno State in implementing a community reintegration, reconciliation, and transitional justice initiative in the state and three other base states of BAY.”
She explained that through UNDP’s mandate, the foundation is implementing a new programme titled “Community-Based Support for Returnees’ Reconciliation, Reintegration and Transitional Justice in Borno State”, specifically focused on Bama and Gwoza LGAs.
“This program is aimed at supporting returnees and promoting reconciliation and reintegration. The Allamin Foundation is consulting with the Ministry of Women Affairs, which has a strong track record in Borno, including family tracing, reuniting children associated with armed groups, and supporting rehabilitated women,” she said.
Allamin commended the ministry’s staff for their dedication, promising that the foundation would “build on where the ministry stopped” while ensuring continuous collaboration throughout the four-month project timeline.
She noted that implementation had been delayed due to logistics challenges, leaving the foundation with a shorter window to deliver results.
During the engagement, she also outlined the project’s target groups, expected challenges, and focus areas within affected communities, while stressing the need to strengthen existing systems. “The goal is to avoid duplication and leverage existing government structures and networks,” she said.
The ALFOPED team also visited the Borno State Ministry of Justice, where Allamin met with the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Hauwa Abubakar Isa. The meeting focused on aligning the programme with the state’s transitional justice framework.
The Attorney General expressed strong support, promising to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the project’s effective delivery. She emphasized the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with relevant institutions to meet the project’s objectives in line with state laws and existing frameworks.
Isa noted that the Ministry of Justice had already developed the legal framework guiding transitional justice in the state.
She added that the foundation has received support from the FCDO to address gaps in the peace process, and is partnering with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) to further strengthen peacebuilding, reconciliation, and reintegration efforts.
She stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in every stage of the project, from advocacy to public enlightenment, noting the foundation’s commitment to engaging community leaders, government structures, and other development partners.
