President Muhammadu Buhari has assured citizens of Federal Government’s presence in fighting terrorism to the end and ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are fully returned to continue normal life.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari gave the assurance during his official visit to Borno on Thursday.
Buhari, who was in Maiduguri to appraise the security situation and inaugurate some development projects, commended Gov. Babagana Zulum for resilience and relentless efforts in rebuilding the state.
”We will never rest until peace is fully restored and all displaced persons are resettled in their home communities.
”I will never forget in my life that during my career as a politician, Borno State is where I got the highest percentage of votes, more than 90 per cent!
”The least I can do for you is to continue the relentless effort to fully restore peace to this state, the North East region and the country as a whole,” he said.
The president attributed recent successes recorded by the military against insurgents and terrorists at Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza to careful planning, infusion of new equipment and other war materials as well as quality military leadership.
The president said all the Service Chiefs that were appointed this year either served as Theatre Commanders or were part of the command’s operations at one time or the other.
Buhari noted that many servicemen and women as well as youthful volunteers had paid the supreme price in the fight to rid the communities and the country of terrorism and insurgency, appreciating their gallantry and their sacrifices.
He assured their loved ones that the sacrifices will not be in vain.
The president said the late President Idris Deby of Chad played a major role in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region, urging his successors to work hard in restoring democracy to the country.
He also urged him to support the processes of bringing peace to the region.
Buhari said the recent appointment of Amb. Babagana Kingibe, an illustrious son of Borno, as Special Envoy to Chad and the Lake Chad Basin, was intended to accelerate the restoration of democratic stability in Chad Republic.
The president added that the appointment was also meant to enhance cooperation among all the countries of the Lake Chad Basin.
The president noted that the effort at alleviating the suffering of displaced communities would hamper the evil attempts of terrorists and insurgents to recruit fighters and spies from IDPs and other vulnerable populations through the use of paltry material incentives.
On electricity supply, Buhari said the administration would continue to make concerted efforts towards guaranteeing energy security to all populace across the nation, saying Maiduguri cannot, and will not be left out.
The president said Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had been directed to expedite the delivery of 50MW power plant in order to ensure the prompt restoration of electricity to Maiduguri and its environs.
The president further revealed that he had since directed the Federal Ministry of Health to liaise with Borno State Government and accord the needed support to the ongoing construction of Borno State University Teaching Hospital in the areas of equipment and personnel.
“Finally, let me, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, commend His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, as well as all the other Royal Highnesses and Bulamas at all levels for their very exemplary leadership, patience, determination and wisdom during this past decade when this land was ravaged by insurgency and terrorism,” he said.
The president noted that the fact that traditional rulers now operate from their domains was evidence that peace was being restored to the communities, despite the challenges that remain to be overcome.
In his remarks, Zulum thanked the President for the relative peace enjoyed in the State, buoyed by the heavy presence of military and security men who have been engaging the terrorists.
“We have witnessed gradual return of peace to Borno State and it is our sincere hope that insurgency will soon be brought to an end,” he said.
The governor said he had already spent 750 days in office, appreciating the president for various developmental interventions, which included infrastructure, particularly the approval of 10,000 units of housing for IDPs of which 4,000 had been completed.
He also thanked Buhari for approval of a Federal Polytechnic in Mongonu after 40 years of creation (1976), urging more security presence so that farmers can return to their major occupation. (NAN)
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