By Abubakar Abdullahi
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says some of the challenges that necessitated the formation of the North East Governors’ Forum, NEGF still persist, calling for sustained synergy to tackle the lingering issues.
In a statement signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli
Director-General, (Press Affairs) Government House, Governor Inuwa Yahaya stated this while welcoming Governors of the zone to the 7th meeting of the North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) in Gombe listed some of the lingering issues to include “Boko Haram insurgency and the resultant humanitarian crisis; Evolving security threats posed by criminal activities like banditry and kidnapping; Climate change disasters especially the recent floods and their debilitating effects on the livelihoods of our people; Staggering infrastructure deficit as well as the sorry state of human capital development in our subregion. Other contemporary issues of common concern also make this meeting particularly important”.
The Governor observed that over the past two years, the Forum has developed the understanding, conviction, steadfastness, and cooperation needed to address the common problems undermining the growth and development of our subregion.
“We have been able to collectively engage, mobilize and sensitize stakeholders at the highest level both nationally and internationally”.
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Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the formation of the NEGF as a tremendous success where for the first time in the history of the zone, Governors of the sub-region were able to forge a common front for the overall benefit of the people irrespective of ethnic, religious or political considerations.
He observed that the presence of Governors in the 7th edition of the North East Governors Forum meeting symbolises the growing strength of cooperation, collaboration and cordial relationship among the governors of the six states of the subregion.
“To borrow from Nigeria’s first national anthem: ‘though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Our strength lies in the sheer determination of each and everyone of us to set aside primordial differences in order to pursue a common vision aimed at improving the lives and wellbeing of our people.”
“You may all recall that the NEGF was formed following our first meeting here in Gombe on the 5th of March 2020. Since then, we have had subsequent meetings in Maiduguri, Yola, Bauchi, Jalingo and Damaturu. During each of those meetings, we engaged relevant stakeholders and deployed great energy and resources to brainstorm on common issues facing the subregion with a view to finding effective solutions. At the end of each meetings we issued communiques with actionable items and plans that we are following up through the Forum’s Director-General who heads the NEGF secretariat, in order to ensure timely implementation”.
He said the meeting, which is the first in the second round, is special one for a number of reasons as it offers the Forum an opportunity to take stock of its achievements since its first meeting in Gombe as well as to reflect on the challenges and obstacles confronting it since the inception of the Forum.
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Governor Inuwa Yahaya further remarked that the 7th edition of the North East Governors Forum is coming at a time when the region and the entire country continue to grapple with multiple challenges that require urgent solutions.
He used the occasion to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring commitment and strong leadership towards the security and stability of the North-East subregion and Nigeria at large.
Chairman of the North East Governors Forum and Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum said since the formation of the Forum, Governors of the sub-region have painstakingly discussed issues of common interest which has so far led to the decimation of Boko Haram insurgency and other crime and criminalities through shared intelligence.
He observed that the non-kinetic approach initiated and adopted by the Forum with support of the Federal Government to address the menace of Boko Haram insurgency has come a long way to opening up a corridor for many members of the sect to lay down their arms.
The NEGF chair said it is a matter of necessity for Governors of the sub-region to maintain a strong and unwavering position towards addressing the menace of kidnapping that is fast becoming a new normal across the country.
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Professor Zulum used the occasion to paid special tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment and members of the Armed Forces for their relentless efforts towards ending insurgency in the North East and other crimes and criminalities across the country.
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Read the Communique issued at the end of the 7th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), Held in Gombe, Gombe State.
Friday, 16th- September, 2022.
Preamble
The Northeast Governors’ Forum (NEGF), comprising of the Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, held its 7th meeting in Gombe, Gombe State. It expressed delight at the growing strength of the cooperation, collaboration and cordial relationship between the Governors of the 6 States of the region. It reiterated its commitment to foster a common ground and pursue collective course for the benefit of the region. After exhaustive deliberations, it resolved and presents the following Communique:
1. The Forum, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies for the effort in combating the Boko haram insurgency. It noted the improvement in the security situation in the region which had largely been achieved through kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
2. The Forum, noted the relative peace being experienced in the subregion, especially the reduced incidences of Farmer-herder clashes, as encouraging. However, there is increasing vulnerability of the region to insecurity due to the mass movement of the bandits who are gradually being pushed out of the Northwest by the security forces. On the influx of the bandits, there is an urgent need to launch a coordinated security road map in conjunction with the security agencies and the Federal Government.
3. The Forum, noted the link between mining activities and insecurity especially the abuse of the mining leases. It therefore resolved to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act.
4. The Forum, again expressed concern on the parlous state of power supply in the north-east region, which at present receives less than 5% of national allocation of grid energy while accounting for 14% of the population and 30% of landmass. While noting the direct correlation between energy security and high level of poverty and our GDP status, it called on the Federal Government to introduce innovative strategies by investing in the production of comparatively cheaper hydropower and renewable energy.
5. Related to this, the Federal Government is called upon to accelerate the execution of the Mambila hydroelectricity project.
6. The Forum, noted the need to harness the vast untapped resources of the subregion by fostering integration in commerce as well as holding trade fairs with a view to attracting foreign investments. Forum therefore, urged the North-east Council of Chambers of Commerce to revive the Northeast Joint Trade Fair and commodity markets to stimulate economic activities.
7. The Forum thanked the Federal Government for establishing the University of Health Sciences, in Azare to address the huge manpower deficit in the health sector and pledged to support the University to deliver on its mandate.
8. The Forum, expressed grave concern about the devastating effect of flooding which is destroying homes and livelihood including road infrastructures. The Forum therefore calls on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency direct its relevant agencies to immediately deploy all necessary interventions to ameliorate the situation in the affected areas.
9. The Forum appreciates the Government and People of Gombe State for hosting the meeting. It resolved to hold the 8th Meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State on Friday, 25th November, 2022.
Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, FNSE, mni
Chairman NEGF and Governor,
Borno State.
