The Borno State Governor has received the United Nations special envoy on a mission to the four lake-chad countries.
The delegation was led by the United Nations Secretary General Special Representatives to the West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif and his counterpart of the Central Africa (UNOCA) Mr. Francois Lounceny Fall.
The two special envoys were in Maiduguri to reaffirm the support of the United Nations and the EU, to the Lake Chad Basin States in their fight against terrorism.
Accelerate the implementation
The visit was also to enhance joint high-level advocacy between UN-EU and LCBC inorder to accelerate the implementation of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy of the Lake Chad Basin and engage with affected communities to get first hand appraisal of the situation on ground.
The Secretary General’s Special Representative-UNOWAS, Mr. Mahamat Saleh said, their mission covered the four countries of the Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria, Chad Niger and Cameroon Republics.
Root causes of insurgency
Governor Zulum in his remarks, urged the United Nations and the International community to support the states in the Lake Chad Basin to address the root causes of the insurgency within the region.
The Governor also called for the international support to recharge the Lake Chad through some identified water sources, which he said, when completed would provide employment opportunities to millions of people across the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
“ I would like to urge your two distinguished offices to join us in championing the recharging of the Lake Chad through already identified water sources from within Nigerian territory which will not only help rebuilding livelihood in the Lake Chad region, but also reduce flooding in parts of Nigeria and encourage irrigation along the rivers. This reduces other humanitarian crises and increase food security. This is central to attainment of peace and stability in the region.” Zulum said.
Mr. Francois Lounceny Fall who is the Special Representative of the Secretary General to Central Africa (UNOCA) commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his exemplary leadership.
“I would like to commend the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as Governor, I know the positive role he has played to put in place the forum of Lake Chad Governors and recently also, he demonstrated during the third meeting of the Governors in Younde that we have to sustain this forum. The proposal he made at the forum meeting was very relevant. ” Mr. Lounceny said.
The delegation also consists of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator – Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, Senior Political Affairs Officer UNOWAS, William Lifongo, Political Affairs Officer UNOCA, Souleymane Beye, Political Affairs Officer UNOWAS, Franklin Ngochi, Military Adviser UNOWAS, Gerard Nikuze and Military Adviser UNOCA, Patrice Rugambwa.
Lateefah Ibrahim
