North-East governors strategise against boko haram resurgence
By Baba Dan’Iya
The 11th Northeast Governors’ Forum (NEGF) Meeting commenced in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, with renewed calls for joint security strategies and economic revival amid rising insecurity in the region.
The host governor, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State made this known in his opening remarks at the occasion on Thursday in Damaturu.
He described the resurgence of Boko Haram activities and the group’s deployment of technology in recent attacks as disturbing, stressing the need for renewed synergy between states, federal authorities, and security agencies.
“We must act fast to consolidate the gains recorded in security, peacebuilding and economic recovery over the past few years,” he said.
The governor also called on the forum to immediately share the resolutions of the meeting with security chiefs and relevant federal agencies to enhance rapid and coordinated response.
Buni expressed appreciation to his counterparts from Borno, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, and Bauchi states.
He described their presence as a demonstration of commitment to peace, unity and development in the northeast.
He noted that the Forum, since inception, had continued to serve as a platform for fostering regional cooperation, policy alignment and collective action on critical issues affecting the sub-region.
“This meeting offers us an opportunity to reflect on the implementation of past resolutions, examine the challenges we still face, and proffer workable alternatives,” the governor said.
He commended the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its leadership during challenging times, assuring the president of the forum’s support for national policies and development efforts.
Buni also paid tribute to members of the armed forces, Civilian JTF, and other security volunteers, many of whom he said had made the ultimate sacrifice for the peace of the region.
The governor said the forum would explore economic opportunities in the region, particularly in agriculture, to reduce overdependence on federal allocations and provide employment for youths.
“We must make agriculture attractive, affordable, and profitable by providing machinery, equipment, and input support to harness our vast arable lands and human capital,” he said.
He appreciated local and international development partners for their continued support in resettlement, reconstruction, and recovery programmes across the region.
Our Correspondent reports that the meeting is expected to review the progress of joint regional projects, security interventions, humanitarian efforts, and strategies for sustainable development.
