UN’s Under-Secretary-General promises more support for Borno State
By Abubakar Mohammed, Maiduguri
The United Nations, UN, Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths has promised more support for Borno State’s policies and effort to restore peace and unite the people.
Mr Griffiths made the promise when he led a team comprising the UN Representative and the acting Resident Humanitarian Co-Ordinator, Mr Mattias Schmale among some of the UN officials to assess the level of Humanitarian activities in Borno State.
He who was at the Borno State Government house to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Zulum, assessed the IDP camps in Bama Local Government Area.
The UN’s Humanitarian team visits Borno State
Mr Griffiths said; ”I had the opportunity to visit Bama, I saw people who talked freely on how devastated life was in the camp. I also spoke with the government as well as the Military base there… All the people I spoke with, confirmed to me the strategic importance not just for today or tomorrow but for years to come. We will ensure the UN’s support for you.”
He further said; ”Our vision in the humanitarian community which I lead, is to overwhelmed people in need with respect and principles but in full support of society and culture, which we have seen today in Bama where lives were disrupted and in some cases destroyed by the actions of the armed group, Boko haram.”
”I will like to end with my essential message; I lead a humanitarian community that has a privilege to life, our privilege here is to work with you and the make the best for those poor people that we saw in Bama so that they could return and start their lives with their families and become full part of this great country.”
Responding, the State Governor, Babagana Zulum acknowledged the UN’s contribution saying; “On behave of myself and the people of Borno State, we thank you especially your tremendous support we have enjoyed for the last 6 to 7 years, also the recovery effort of the devastating impact of the insurgency, we remain eternally grateful.”
”However, I will like to note that, for the past 6 years the IDPs in some camps have been requesting to go back to their ancestral homes.
“We have witnessed a relatively peace atmosphere here now in Borno especially with the dead of the Boko haram leader, Shekau. We have had a massive surrender of the fighters which has given us hope for peace,” the Governor explained.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
