Zulum Urges Investment in Recovery for Displaced Persons as IOM Marks 25 Years in Nigeria
By Ali Mohammed Zanna, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for increased investment in housing, livelihood support and infrastructure to enable conflict-displaced persons in Northeast Nigeria to rebuild their lives and achieve self-reliance.
Zulum made the call on Wednesday during the 25th anniversary celebration of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, where he joined other dignitaries to unveil the organisation’s roadmap for the next 25 years.
The governor commended IOM for its humanitarian interventions and efforts to improve the living conditions of displaced families in Borno State and other parts of the Northeast.
He recalled that the insurgency forced thousands of families to flee their homes, farmlands and communities, leaving many dependent on humanitarian assistance in internally displaced persons’ camps.
According to him, the crisis also affected neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, highlighting the need for stronger regional cooperation among governments and international development partners.
Zulum emphasised that emergency relief must be complemented by long-term recovery programmes that address the root causes of displacement and enable affected families to regain their livelihoods.
He called on humanitarian organisations and development partners to prioritise the provision of permanent and semi-permanent shelters, livelihood opportunities, infrastructure development and environmental restoration.
The governor noted that such interventions would help displaced persons rebuild their lives, restore their dignity and become economically independent.
He reaffirmed the Borno State Government’s commitment to working with IOM and other development partners to accelerate recovery, improve living conditions and strengthen stability in communities affected by conflict across the Northeast.
The anniversary brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners and other stakeholders to assess IOM’s contributions to Nigeria and discuss future collaboration in migration management, humanitarian assistance, recovery and sustainable development.
