The efforts of Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in restoring peace and resettling Internally Displaced Persons in their ancestral homes are highly commendable. These initiatives have significantly contributed to reviving the lost glory of Borno State.
Borno State endured over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency, during which countless lives were lost, properties worth billions of naira destroyed, and millions of people displaced. This reign of terror left thousands of women and children vulnerable, with many children orphaned and resorting to street begging as their only means of survival.
In Maiduguri, a common sight on the streets is that of out-of-school children wandering helplessly, begging to make ends meet. These children lack access to basic necessities such as clothing, shelter, and education. Their vulnerability poses a grave threat to societal peace and stability, as they risk being recruited into criminal activities, thereby exacerbating security challenges. Additionally, these children face physical and emotional risks, including violence, hunger, health issues, and accidents, while begging on major streets.
If urgent action is not taken to address this issue, the ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in Borno State may be in vain, as these children may grow to become a destabilizing force in the society.
One viable solution to this problem is for the Borno State Government to establish skill acquisition centers on a large scale to cater to the needs of these street children. These centers can empower them by providing vocational training, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial skills. Such programs can boost their self-confidence, encourage self-reliance, and make them more productive members of society.
By constructing and expanding skill acquisition centers and enrolling thousands of street children, Governor Zulum can significantly reduce unemployment rates and foster economic growth in Borno and Nigeria as a whole. These centers will not only transform the lives of vulnerable children but also contribute to community development and the sustainability of peace and stability in the state.
It is imperative for Governor Zulum to prioritize the establishment of these centers as a strategic approach to addressing the root causes of insecurity and ensuring lasting peace in Borno State.
Governor Zulum: Borno Needs Skill Acquisition Centers to Address Street Begging
The efforts of Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in restoring peace and resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their ancestral homes are highly commendable. These initiatives have significantly contributed to reviving the lost glory of Borno State.
Borno State endured over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency, during which countless lives were lost, properties worth billions of naira destroyed, and millions of people displaced. This reign of terror left thousands of women and children vulnerable, with many children orphaned and resorting to street begging as their only means of survival.
In Maiduguri, a common sight on the streets is that of out-of-school children wandering helplessly, begging to make ends meet. These children lack access to basic necessities such as clothing, shelter, and education. Their vulnerability poses a grave threat to societal peace and stability, as they risk being recruited into criminal activities, thereby exacerbating security challenges. Additionally, these children face physical and emotional risks, including violence, hunger, health issues, and accidents, while begging on major streets.
If urgent action is not taken to address this issue, the ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in Borno State may be in vain, as these children may grow to become a destabilizing force in the society.
One viable solution to this problem is for the Borno State Government to establish skill acquisition centers on a large scale to cater to the needs of these street children. These centers can empower them by providing vocational training, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurial skills. Such programs can boost their self-confidence, encourage self-reliance, and make them more productive members of society.
By constructing and expanding skill acquisition centers and enrolling thousands of street children, Governor Zulum can significantly reduce unemployment rates and foster economic growth in Borno and Nigeria as a whole. These centers will not only transform the lives of vulnerable children but also contribute to community development and the sustainability of peace and stability in the state.
It is imperative for Governor Zulum to prioritize the establishment of these centers as a strategic approach to addressing the root causes of insecurity and ensuring lasting peace in Borno State.
Musa Muhammad Dugge wrote from the department of mass communication, University of Maiduguri.
