Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, has tasked politicians for governorship in the state to adopt and implement policies that could address poverty and unemployment. The policy thrust, according to him, should accord topmost priority to rebuild dilapidated roads in 27 Local Government Areas of the state. El-Kanemi made the call on Friday, while receiving the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship aspirant, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam at his Maiduguri palace. “You should develop policies and programmes that will create jobs for unemployed and fix the ruined public infrastructural facilities that were built since 1980,” he said. He said the nine-year insurgency has not only taken devastating tolls on people’s lives and property, but has also left public infrastructures in poor state of disrepair. According to him, people seeking public offices must prioritize the rebuilding of Borno above any other interest or concern. Imam, a two-time governorship candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting in 2011, is among 25 aspirants to succeed Governor, Kashim Shettima on May 29, 2019. Speaking on Imam’s aspiration, the Shehu said: “For being the Mutawalli (finance minister) of Borno, you should distinguish yourself as a worthy ambassador of the people to be transparent and accountable.” He said Imam has been supportive to the traditional chiefs and the good people of Borno even as a private citizen for over four decades. “The palace and good people of Borno are indeed very happy with your aspiration and wish you all the best in your campaign,” he assured. On leadership qualities, he said: “Since your assumption of office as the Mutawalli many years ago, you have not only supported us at all times but your philanthropic gestures has been legendary. “You have always reached out to us during the Ramadan and other Sallah celebration, and you have shared in our times of joy and in occasion of sorrow. “Apart from that, you are also the brain behind the completion of our grand Central Mosque that before now had been in the state of being uncompleted for over 30 years. “You donated N200 million in 2011 for the completion effort, and today with the ample support of the state government the mosque in fully completed,” Continuing, he added, “All the roads in Borno are in the state of disrepair and inaccessible,” lamenting that the people are suffering, where the Boko Haram insurgency has made it worst. According to him, job creation for youths could prevent them being lured to imbibe alien culture of Boko Haram. “The alien culture of Boko Haram has already encroached into our land,” he said, warning that youths may continue to be lured to imbibe culture of terrorism. Responding Imam said his vision hinges on three thematic areas that cut across free and compulsory education for all, job creation and rebuilding Borno to rise again. He added: “If we are given the mandate and with the blessings of the Royal Palace, we shall convene a critical stakeholder’s conference from where we are going to first take stock of human and infrastructural loses. “I’ll also convene a donor conference here in Maiduguri at the national and international levels to raise a minimum of $30 billion (N10.8 trillion). “WE are also going to tackle the problem of lack of education and the economy.” He noted that poor economy and lack of education gave birth to Boko Haram insurgency that claimed many lives and property.
