Governor Babagana Zulum has invited retired generals, police and
paramilitary officers for a strategic meeting to end Boko Haram
insurgency in Borno.
The invited generals for State’s scheduled meeting; are drawn from the
Nigerian Army, Airforce and Directorate of State Security (DSS).
Zulum announced the security meeting on Sunday; when he hosted series
of “consultative meetings” with Borno citizens and stakeholders from
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at Kanem Suits banquet hall, Abuja.
He said members of Borno Security Meeting (BSEM); will specifically
comprise retired citizens that held operational positions on security.
“The meeting; will explored ways Borno citizens with ranks of Chief
Executives, Permanent Secretaries, Directors and deputy directors at
Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) could overcome
challenges of security to lives and property,” he said.
According to him, the retired generals and civil servants could
provide inputs to the “recovery and development of decade long
insurgency ravaged state.
He said the invitation of retired senior security personnel, was in
response to comments of retired Brigadier General from Borno at Abuja
meeting.
He said the general offered to contribute with strategies on security
that could help government in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.
On how toe end terrorism, he said: “I’ll meet all the retired senior
security officers; as soon as the scheduled meeting could hold at a
convenient venue.”
Besides that, he also challenged participants to make contributions
through other means that can help Borno and its citizens in various
sectors of economy.
Speaking on Borno forefathers’ fought at different times, he said:
“Our forefathers have rebuilt territories or stood against difficult
times that threatened existence of their communities.
“All of us coming together in trying to rebuild our state will not be
something new.
“Our forefathers did the same thing in bringing back what is now Borno
state, after turbulent times.
“They fought to rebuild communities. We need to be united to end Boko
Haram insurgency, and rebuild the destroyed various communities in 22
Local Government Areas of Borno state.
He urged the retired generals and policemen to forget about 2023 and
unite for Borno’s sake.
Continued: “Each of us should see how he or she can contribute to our
search for peace. This includes the resettling of our brothers and
sisters taking refuge at various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
camps.
He said education, healthcare and jobs creation, are accorded topmost
priority in state’s economic recovery and development programmes.
While responding, participants at meeting provided insightful
suggestions by highlight existing and potential opportunities in
federal establishments they work.
They told the Governor that Borno can maximize some benefits in the
“recovery, resettlement and livelihoods of over 1.8 million IDPs in
camps.
Sunday’s meeting also created thematic working groups through which
participants were requested to choose the areas they can best
contribute.
According to Zulum; “The participants should take into account their
areas of specialization and positions they currently occupy,” noting
that this could accelerate the development of state and citizens.
