Governor Babagana Zulum
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Governor Babagana Zulum on Monday visited the village market in former Boko Haram Stronghold village in Cross Kauwa, which is a commercial nerve center of all the surrounding towns and villages linking the village such Baga , Monguno and Kukawa, towns which are the major urban areas of the northern Borno.
In an interview with newsmen at the market square amidst buyers and sellers as well as residents of the village and security agents, Governor Zulum who was in high mood could not hide his feelings as Chief Security Officer of the state, saying,” I feel highly delighted and impressed to be here today in this former Boko Haram stronghold , Cross Kauwa Village on their market day to observe the market with them”.
“I am happy with the number of people I saw. Am happy with the bubbling commercial activities as I went round the market and saw for myself how everybody was busy engaged in one thing or the other peacefully, calmed and activities going on smoothly and normal .
“As the security situation has improved, farming activity retuned, commercial activities returned, peace has also returned. Government will definitely very soon swing into action to reconstruct, rehabilitate and renovate all the basic infrastructural facilities and amenities destroyed by the Insurgents in the village.
“We will also carry out immediately repairs and reconstruct all schools in the village, health centers, market ships and stalls, motor park/ garage, abattoir, livestock market, boreholes and other sources of water supply, police station and barracks, mosques, churches, etc.
“I thank the military for their support and sacrifices in restoring peace in the area as well as other parts of the state. I also appreciate the concern and efforts of security agents including the CJTF and vigilante hunters for their services and bringing peace to the area
“I assure you that we will return life back to the area for the people with your continued support as if there is no peace in the area, there wouldn’t be any meaningful development for the benefit of the people and community entirely.
” I also appreciate the community, youths, women, and religious leaders as well as the farmers and traders association leaders for uniting their people and spearheading their activities peacefully. I urge you to continue to live in peace with one another and engage in meaningful livelihood activities as you resettle peacefully.
The governor further charged the residents to continue to be law abiding and live peacefully with each other while going about their normal businesses and should cooperate with the security agents as well report to the security units any suspicious element or movement in their midst for necessary and appropriate actions.
Meanwhile, our correspondent observed that most of the residents of the village were hailing the governor saying ,” Borno Sai Zulum” while others were busy shouting,” muna son ruwa”, meaning,”we need water” or “Bamu da ruwa”, meaning,” we don’t have water”.
While farmers and villagers were seen moving freely around the village to their farms and commercial vehicles undergo security checks by the military at strategic positions.
