VP Kashim Shettima
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to partner the Governors of the Lake Chad Basin Forum and other stakeholders to bring a lasting peace and stabilization in the region which was hitherto ravaged by over decade atrocities posed by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists Organizations.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Vice -President, Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the opening of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum being hosted by the Yobe State Government in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
VP Shettima described the theme of the forum’s meeting : “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security, and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community'”, as apt and necessary .
He however lamented that poverty, inequality and lack of opportunities for our young ones were major causes of Boko Haram/ISWAP, stressing that the present administration is determined to embrace partnership with the African and International Communities to end terrorism in the region.
“The forum which is set up to address the persistent regional challenges is not just a meeting; it is a platform to forge actionable partnerships, align strategies, and mobilize the resources needed to transform the Lake Chad Basin into a region of peace, stability and opportunity.
” Government is fully aware that poverty, inequality and lack of opportunities for our young ones were major causes of Boko Haram/ISWAP, but let me assure this gathering that the present administration is determined to embrace partnership with the African and International Communities to end terrorism in the region”, Shettima said.
He also commended all participants and wished them fruitful deliberations geared towards restoration of peace, social cohesion and development in the region.
In their separate remarks, Governor Babagana Zulum of Born State and his Adamawa State counterpart, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, commended security agencies, partners and development workers, who have put in more efforts on the ongoing stabilization and resilience processes in the lake Chad Basin region region.
Also, the outgoing Chairperson of the Governors’ Forum (Hadjer Lamis), H.E Iidjima Abdaraman, called for more funding from governments and donors to support stakeholders who are working round the clock to address the humanitarian challenges in the region.
Other remarks were delivered by the Director of Transition States Coordination Office of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Yero Baldeh, Special Representative of UN Secretary General for West Africa and Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simao, UN Assistant Secretary – General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eiakonwa (represented by Dr. Matthias),.
The Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission, Amb. Adeoye Bankole, and the Executive Secretary of LCBC, Amb. Mamman Nuhu among others.
They all commended Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni for successfully hosting the event, and for all and sundry who equally played significant roles, even as they pledged to continue to give their maximum support and cooperation to restore peace, stabilization and Livelihood in the region.
The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa in his goodwill message said, “it is not time for speech, but time for action. The military will continue to apply the kinetic and non-kinetic approach in the fight against terrorists in the region.
“I am happy that Governor of Diffa, Brigadier General Muhammad Ibrahim is here, we shall work together, challenges will always come, but we must prevail, we are determined to confront all the security challenges as together we shall succeed”. General Musa stated.
Traditional rulers from across the region including the Shehu of Borno, HRH, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, Ministers, Senators, national and states assemblies members, captains of industries, humanitarian partners among other stakeholders attended the meeting, which is expected to end on Friday, 31st January, 2025.
