By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has hosted a send off dinner in respect of Edward Kallon who was the UN Residents Coordinator in Nigeria since 2016 and now transferred to Zimbabwe.
Governor Zulum, who was represented by Borno’s Deputy Governor, Hon Umar Kadafur at the send off dinner which took place at the multi purpose hall of the Borno State Government House on Wednesday.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR) Engr Mustapha Gubio, while presenting his remarks said: “Indeed, am delighted to note that His Excellency Edward Kallon has been in Nigeria since 2016 overseeing and coordinating interventions to ensure that the entire Northeast recovers from the devastation of Boko Haram.
Engr Mustapha Gubio whose ministry leads the implementation of the UN activities across the state, highlighted that Edward Kallon has helped in initiating good sustainable development projects for the government and good people of Borno State, amongst these are :-
(1) Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) Phase One – Under this phase tremendous support was provided in Borno State in the area of housing project and support to rehabilitation of courts, prison offices, custom offices, immigration offices, parameter fencing and trenches in location sucha as Ngwom, Banki, Ngarnam, Monguno and Damboa which have enabled the return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes and return of civil authorities in those communities.
(2) Shelter – Similarly, UNHCR and IOM have greatly supported in the provision of shelter and other Non Food items (NFIs) in several locations
(3) Education – UNICEF has also support in the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of classroom and toilet facilities which can be classified as world class standard.
(4) Food Security and Livelihood Support – FAO, WFP and UN WOMEN have also contributed immensely to the resuscitation of the Agricultural sector which most of the affected persons are Farmers.
(5) Health – WHO and UNICEF are in the forefront in supporting the state to revitalize the health sector.
(6) Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) Phase Two (2) – Under the Phase two (2), parameter fencing and housing project are earmarked for execution in Gwoza and Ngala Local Government Areas.
The Honourable Commissioner also added that all the above achievements, were recorded as a result of the leadership style of the out going UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria.
” Another reason we are thankful and celebrating His Excellency Edward kallon is the way and manner he responds to our situation through the UN Press Release where he commiserates with the government and people of Borno State during losses and devastation, we also appreciate the fact that HE Edward kallon kept reminding all partners to adhere to conventions and declarations in the course of their interactions, Engr Gubio added .
….. Edward kallon moves to Zimbabwe
Engr Mustapha Gubio on behalf thr government and people of Borno State are no doubt very appreciative of the leadership style of HE Edward kallon and regard him as one of our closest ally in our recovery and development process. No doubt when history of the insurgency and the recovery efforts in Borno is written in Gold.
Engr Gubio added that the Government and good people of Borno State thank you sir and wish you many more successes in your future endeavors in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Those who attend the send off dinner are the representative of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Chief of Staff to the Borno State Governor, Head of Service, Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, DG SEMA Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, Head of OCHA, DHC ai/UNHCR, Deputy Director Nigeria iNGO forum, Public and Private organizations among others.
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