The 8th Northeast Governor’s Forum meeting in Maiduguri, Borno state capital in Northeast Nigeria, has been declared open by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima. Vice-President Shettima opened the meeting during his two-day official visit to Borno state to commission state projects carried out by Governor Babagana Zulum within the first 100 days of his second term.
He praised the Northeast Governors for banding together as one undivided force despite their differing political affiliations and urged them to collaborate closely for the Region’s development.
Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the North-East Forum, praised the Nigerian Army’s achievements in fighting insurgency. He stated that their efforts are undeniable, and their resolve to achieve is palpable.
Governor Zulum also applauded governors of the Northeast region for their determination and quest to identify and address the various development challenges confronting the region.
In attendance was the governor of Yobe State Hon. Mai Mala Buni, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, and Abdulkadir Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, while that of Taraba and Gombe were represented by their deputies.
Just touched down in Maiduguri for the North East Governor’s Forum meeting. Sharing some great moments with my brother, Borno State’s Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, @ProfZulum. pic.twitter.com/TUud52Js3M
— Senator Bala A. Mohammed (@SenBalaMohammed) September 9, 2023
Speaking further Governor Zulum said: “In our previous meetings, we’ve been able to identify most of the daunting challenges facing us as individuals and collectively and the possible causes of the actions which we’ll pursue through shared responsibility and commonality of purpose to arrive at the desired outcomes.”
After a series of deliberations, the North-East Governors issued a 10-point Communique marking the end of the 8th meeting of the Forum which is as follows.
- The Forum appreciated the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima for gracing the opening ceremony of the 8th meeting of the NEGF and the Government and People of Borno State for hosting the event.
- While acknowledging the relative success recorded against insurgency, a new dimension of growing banditry is added to worsen the security situation in the subregion. As a result of the concerted efforts of the Military to flush bandits from the other parts of the country, the bandits are now moving towards the Northeast. The case is becoming worse in Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba, places hitherto without banditry. The Forum calls on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to address this issue.
- The Forum is aware that some traditional rulers and other local authorities are conniving with the bandits, sheltering them and covering them to commit crimes within the subregion. The Forum unanimously resolved to decisively deal with any Traditional ruler or community leader that is found to be harbouring or conniving with the bandits.
- The proliferation of mining in the region is becoming a problem. This includes both legal and illegal mining. It noted the link between mining activities and insecurity, especially the abuse of the mining leases. The Forum calls on the respective Governments to enforce compliance with the provisions of local consent as contained in Nigeria’s Mining Policy. The Forum reiterated its call for strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act.
- The forum noted with great concern that Climate Change and environmental degradation is a major issues affecting the subregion. The issue of flooding that had affected the States leading to the destruction of properties and loss of livelihoods is increasing the sufferings of the people. This has been compounded by the silting of our rivers as well as deforestation brought about by the massive charcoal business. There is a need for the Federal Government’s intervention in the area of desilting the rivers. Furthermore, there is a need for effective control of deforestation with stern regulation to local authorities against compromise to granting approvals for such businesses. The Forum has resolved to key into the Global Initiative of Carbon Credit, the Great Green Wall and other initiatives that will mitigate the devastating impact of climate change in the subregion.
- Forum noted with dismay the seeming neglect of road and railway infrastructure especially along the economic corridors that link the Northeast sub-region to the rest of the country. The Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri are in a deplorable State. Equally worse is the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri which has been destroyed. The Forum is calling on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor. This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace-building and improving national unity.
- The Forum agreed that all the States within the subregion are to domesticate the Education Law 2022, as recommended by the Northeast Education Council earlier constituted by the Forum.
- The Forum charges the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be more proactive with the issues of development in the sub-region. Its intervention should be well prioritized in the short, medium and long term to take care of the sustainable development needs of the people within the subregion.
- The forum resolved to promote subregional commerce among member States. It further agreed to resuscitate the northeast trade fair to be held in Bauchi in January 2024.
- The Forum resolved to hold the 9th Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State between Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th – November, 2023.
