Yobe State governor and host of the 11th North East Governors Forum meeting, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has called on North East Governors, the federal government, religious leaders and security agencies to fight Boko Haram insurgents in the region.
Governor Buni made the charge at the 11th Meeting of the North East Governors Forum in Damaturu.
“We must act fast to consolidate the gains achieved in peace, security and the socio-economic developments recorded in the last few years.
“My dear compatriots, we should as a matter of urgency, share our resolutions with the security chiefs and the relevant federal government agencies to deepen our working synergy, for a timely approach to halt the sad and ugly resurgence,” he said.
According to him, the forum has built strong relationships and advanced regional cooperation among the member states over the years, providing a common platform to collectively pursue common interests.
“As we settle down to commence this important meeting, it is an opportunity for us to review the resolutions of our previous meetings, reflect on how far we have achieved those resolutions, analyse the challenges, and consider workable alternatives to achieve our goals”.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing leadership to the country at this very difficult time.
“I want to use this opportunity to reassure Mr President of our support for the policies and programmes of the federal government towards building a strong, united, peaceful and economically prosperous Nigeria,” he assured.
Buni commended the bravery and courage of the officers and men of the various security organisations, Civilian JTF, Vigilante and Hunter groups, “some of whom have paid the Supreme price in the cause of defending their fatherland for us to have peace and security.
“I am optimistic that the forum will once again reflect on measures that would contribute to unlocking the region’s economic potential. This becomes necessary in view of the region’s overreliance on federal allocation, which is increasingly unrealistic and more challenging to meet our needs.
“Similarly, the need to generate employment opportunities for our youth is very necessary to avoid exposing them as veritable tools for recruitment into terrorism, banditry and other forms of social vices.
“ As leaders, we have a moral obligation to make agriculture attractive, affordable and profitable through the provision of machines, equipment and other inputs to exploit the rich, vast arable lands and the massive population in the region to enhance food sufficiency, food security and economic prosperity,” Governor Buni added.
