Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for stronger collaboration and joint investment by the state, Federal Government, the United Nations, development partners, international financial institutions, and the private sector to accelerate recovery and sustainable development in the state.
Zulum made the call on Thursday in Maiduguri, at the fourth Project Board Meeting of the United Nations Offer to Support the Borno Model and the Steering Committee Meeting of the Peacebuilding Fund.
A Federal Government delegation, the United Nations, Development Partners, and Donor agencies attended the meeting.
The governor said the decision to hold the high-level meeting in Maiduguri reflected Borno’s strategic importance in national and international efforts towards peacebuilding, stabilization, recovery and sustainable development in Nigeria’s North-East.
He commended the United Nations, donor countries and development partners for their financial and technical support, noting that their interventions had improved the lives of vulnerable people and communities affected by more than a decade of insurgency.
According to Zulum, the Peacebuilding Fund and the UN Offer have helped to move support beyond immediate humanitarian relief to critical areas such as reconciliation, reintegration, livelihood support, social cohesion and institutional strengthening.
“We recognize that progress in Borno is a product of strong partnerships among the state government, the United Nations, development partners, communities, the Federal Government and other stakeholders,” Zulum stated.
He described the development of the Borno Model legal framework as a major product of the partnership between the state government and the United Nations, saying it would provide a stronger institutional foundation for peace, recovery, social cohesion and development.
Zulum said Borno was at a critical transition point, moving from humanitarian response to recovery, reconstruction, resilience and long-term development.
He identified the state’s priority areas to include rebuilding conflict-affected communities, restoring basic services, expanding education and skills development, creating jobs, supporting women and young people, strengthening local institutions, and enabling displaced and returning residents to rebuild their lives in dignity.
The governor also advocated increased investment in agriculture, small and medium-scale enterprises, vocational training, digital opportunities and value-chain development.
“With the right investment in infrastructure, skills and enterprise development, Borno can move from being viewed primarily through the lens of crisis to being recognized as a center of economic opportunity in the North-East,” he added.
The governor said the Borno State Government has committed more than 70% of its budget over the last seven years to security, support for internally displaced persons and refugees, reconstruction of schools, houses, health facilities and markets, and livelihood opportunities for people affected by the insurgency.
He said the investments aimed to restore dignity, build resilience, and sustain peace across the state.
“Our collective objective must now be to build on what has been achieved, scale up what works, and ensure that the people of Borno fully benefit from the transition from humanitarian assistance to medium- and longer-term sustainable and durable solutions,” he said.
The governor commended the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Fall; and the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, for their support and commitment to Borno’s recovery.
He also acknowledged contributions by Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders.
Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to provide the leadership, institutional support, and coordination needed to sustain partner-supported programs beyond their project lifespan.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, noted that the challenges confronting the Northeast should not be viewed solely as humanitarian crises, but also as opportunities for long-term investment and sustainable development.
He stressed the need for coordinated financing and closer collaboration among the federal and state governments, the United Nations, and development partners to achieve the desired outcome.
The Minister particularly commended Zulum for providing trusted leadership and coordinating the state’s response to the complex challenges confronting its people.
He also lauded the United Nations, development and donor partners for the continuous support to the victims of the Boko Haram conflict.
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall and UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, expressed their commitment to supporting the project and commended the leadership of Governor Zulum.
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