The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated five projects in the education, housing and health sectors of the economy.
The projects sited in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Areas include the Doctors Quarters, a mega school, micro, small and medium enterprises (SMME) clinic, Bulumkutu shopping complex and the Abaganaram/Gonidamgari road.
Inaugurating the Doctors’ quarters, yesterday (Thursday) in Maiduguri, Osinbajo said: “It’s a pleasure to be here in Borno state with warm greetings from President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Buhari has a special place in his heart for the people of the State.”
He added that it’s always exciting to prove how Nigeria can be; despite the over a decade insurgency in the northeast.
He said that he has also seen a steady hand of progress right from Sen. Kashim Shettima administration.
Besides, he said: “Zulum proves it is possible to do incredible things with limited human and capital resources,” he said, stating that the Governor is committed to moving the state to greater heights.
He noted that every time he makes speeches, references are being made to the performing Governor.
Osinbajo, therefore, commended Zulum for the encouragement he is giving to the political class and the people.
“It is possible to good things, despite the security challenges,” he declared.
Responding, Zulum disclosed that over 221 people are taking refuge in Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
He said that the refugees are yearning to return home, after spending over seven years as refugees in the neighboring border countries.
In a breakdown of the refugees, he said that Cameroon has 66.000, while Niger and Chad have about 120,000 and 25, 000 respectively.
He lamented that the state government cannot repatriate the refugees without the federal government’s assistance.
“The number of IDPs is still of great concern to us because people want to return to their ancestral homes,” he said; hoping that before the end of next year the refugees could be repatriated into the liberated communities.
“I commended the Federal Government for the establishment of learning centres,” he said, stating that this could address the challenges of illiteracy.
According to him, illiteracy, is one of the root causes of terrorism in the Northeast.
Last week, the President inaugurated a committee headed by the Vice President to facilitate the return of 211, 000 refugees from Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
The committee is also given the mandate to manage the surrendering of about 80, 000 repentant Boko Haram terrorists in the state.
The Governor assured that: “If we can handle the issue of refugees, we are going to end Boko Haram in the state.”
Former Governor, Sen Kashim Shettima, Minister of State for agriculture, Hon Mustapha Shehuri and other top government officials were on the entourage of Osinbajo.
