Governor Inuwa Yahaya Attends 11th North-East Governors’ Forum Meeting in Damaturu
By:Usman Ibrahim Geidam
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has joined his counterparts from the Northeast sub-region for the 11th meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum currently holding in Damaturu, Yobe state.
At the opening session of the meeting held on Thursday at the Yobe State Government House in Damaturu, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, said this edition will focus on addressing the re-emergence of insurgents' attacks, poverty, social and humanitarian crises as well as the region’s infrastructure deficit.
“The recent re-emergence of attacks by insurgents is a matter of serious concern capable of undermining the successes already recorded in the theatre of war. Although we commend members of the armed forces for their effort in fighting insurgency, we must collectively work to bring this war to a successful end”, Zulum said.
“Poverty level in our region is alarming and it is imperative that we take bold step to address this Challenge. It is not just an economic issue, but also a social and humanitarian crises. To tackle these challenges, we must adopt short and medium term measures with focus on rebuilding and revitalising our agricultural sector. These includes providing supports to farmers, investing in irrigation system and promoting climate resilience agricultural practice”, he added.
He however, acknowledged that agriculture alone cannot take people of the region out of poverty, stating that governors of the region “must also focus on creating enabling environment for the establishment of small and medium scale industries in our region. Inclusive investment in infrastructure, providing incentives for private sector investment and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Governor Zulum further stated that the era of lamentation has gone, saying, “we come together not to lament our problems, but rather provide solutionas. We have the duty to provide them with basic necessities of life. To create opportunities for them to thrive and ensure they live in peace and secure environment.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the host Governor, Mai Mala Buni, stressed the need for governments across the region to generate employment opportunities for the youths to avoid exposing them as veritable tools for recruitment into terrorism, banditry and other forms of social vices.
He stated that as leaders, "wehave a moral obligation to make agriculture attractive, affordable and profitable through provision of machines, equipment and other inputs to exploit the rich vast arable lands and the massive population in our region to enhance food sufficiency, food security and economic prosperity".
He used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of his colleagues for providing the most desirable leadership to the country at this very difficult time, reassuring him the region’s support to the policies and programmes of his government towards building a strong, united, peaceful and economically prosperous Nigeria.
The governors also saluted the bravery and courage of the officers and men of the various security organizations as well as the Civilian JTF, Vigilante and Hunter groups, some of whom have paid the Supreme price in the cause of defending their fatherland, assuring of a renewed commitment to enhance their operations for the security of the region.
A communiqué outlining key resolutions and commitments is expected at the end of the meeting.
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