Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has been nominated as the new Chairman of Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum (LCBGF) from a unanimous endorsement of the state governor’s at their Thursday’s meeting in Maiduguri.
As the Chief Host of the 5th LCBGF meeting, in his acceptance speech immediately after taking over the Chairmanship from his counterpart , Her Excellency, Ildjima Abdraman, Governor of Hadjer Lamis province, Chad Republic said: “I pledge to work tirelessly with my fellow governors, regional stakeholders, and our international partners.”
” Together, we will foster a unified approach that ensures no community is left behind. I specially thank the outgoing chairperson of this forum, Her Excellency Ildjima Abdraman, Governor of Hadjer Lamis province, Chad for her leadership.
“Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to my esteemed colleagues, the Governors of the Lake Chad Basin region, for your confidence in me. I am deeply honored by this trust and humbled to accept the responsibility of chairing this distinguished Forum for the next two years.
“This nomination is not merely a recognition of my personal commitment but a testament to the collective resolve of all stakeholders to forge a resilient, peaceful, and prosperous Lake Chad Basin,” Buni said.
The new LCBGF Chairman further noted that at the center of our recovery efforts lies a commitment to durable solutions that go beyond temporary relief while the resettlement of displaced persons must be accompanied by comprehensive strategies that restore livelihoods, rebuild infrastructure, and foster social cohesion.
He urged his colleagues to ensure that returning populations have access to essential services and economic opportunities is key to preventing further displacement and securing long-term stability.
He noted that equally important is the drive for socio-economic recovery, which requires deliberate investments in trade corridors and agro-pastoral initiatives to revitalize local economies while the inclusion of women and youth in these efforts remains a priority, as their active participation in economic and social development will accelerate progress and build more resilient communities.
Buni suggested that: “as we conclude this Forum, it is imperative that we move beyond dialogue to concrete and collective action. Let us ensure that the resolutions adopted here are implemented at all levels. “
“As leaders of the Lake Chad Basin region, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening security and stability by facilitating the reinforcement of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and expanding community-based security initiatives. We shall actively advocate for increased financial and technical support.
“Furthermore, we are committed to strengthening cross-border collaboration as a driver to economic recovery, and stimulate commerce to enhance regional integration and cooperation.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his leadership and commitment to peace, security, and development of the Lake Chad Basin region.
“As I accept this honor to serve as Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, I reaffirm my commitment to the ideals of this Forum and to work diligently to achieve the vision of a peaceful, stable, and thriving Lake Chad region.
“Over the past few days, we have deliberated extensively on how to address the challenges facing the region while building on the gains we have made so far.
“Our discussions have reaffirmed the critical need to strengthen governance and stabilization frameworks as a foundation for lasting peace and security in the Lake Chad Basin.
“We recognize that effective governance, supported by inclusive policies and coordinated efforts, is essential in restoring stability to affected communities,” Buni said.
