Sam Kayode
Governor Babagana Zulum for the second time in less than two week, has hosted a generation of northern traditional leaders in Maiduguri to deliberate over the frightening deterioration of security in the region.
Even though the meeting was held in the government House of Maiduguri in a close door situation, sources alleged that it was aimed at tackling the rising bandity and insurgency challenge plaguing Northern Nigeria in spite of efforts by the federal government machinery to reverse the trend.
Almost every traditional leader whose domain is suffering from one form of security challenge or the other was in Maiduguri today for the sudden meeting which had a generation of key officials represented due to one reason or the other.
The meeting with the theme, “Enhanced Security As A Panacea For Stability and Development of the North” was declared open by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Governor Babagana Zulum.
In his remarks, Governor Zulum highlighted security and peacebuilding coupled with agriculture and youth empowerment as the critical pillars of sustainable development in the northern region.
The Governor also called on stakeholders to focus on providing opportunities for young people in northern Nigeria adding that “our youth population is large, energetic and eager to contribute, but many are without opportunities and this vacuum is dangerous.
“We must invest heavily in skills acquisition, vocational education, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“Empowered youths are not only less vulnerable to crime or radicalisation, they become active agents of development.”
Governor Zulum also stressed that agriculture had remained the economic lifeline for the north, hence a deliberate effort is needed to enhance farming activities across the region.
“With vast arable land and a population well-versed in farming, agriculture is our greatest opportunity. However, insecurity has displaced farmers and halted rural productivity.
“We must secure our farmlands and support modern agricultural practices to restore livelihoods and reduce dependency.
In Borno, we are expanding access to inputs, mechanised farming and irrigation despite the; inherent challenges, and the results are promising,” Zulum said.
He added, “On behalf of the government and good people of Borno State, I assure you of our commitment to peace, justice and shared progress. Together, with faith and determination, we will rebuild the north physically, socially and economically.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers forum and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, explained that the meeting in Borno was to strengthen unity among states in the region and to deliberate over the situation in the region which calls for urgent support by the political leadership in addressing once and for all the series of problems across the entire region.
Present at the occasion were the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector General of Police who were all represented.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum Mohammed Yahaya, represented by his Deputy, Manassah Jatau, Senator Kaka Shehu, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai, among many other Emirs across the 19 states of the northern region.
