The North-East Governors’ Forum, comprising the Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor, held its 11th meeting in Damaturu, Yobe State on Thursday.
The NEGF in a communique signed by Professor Babagana Zulum,
Chairman NEGF and Governor,
Borno State decried the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the region.
“Forum notes with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and calls for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.
“Forum notes that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.
“The Forum is committed to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes,” the NEGF communique partly read.
While lauding the development strides of the Federal Government, the forum lamented the poor road networks, describing them as requiring urgent concern.
The forum added, “Forum notes that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region. It calls on Mr. The President, as a matter of urgent concern to address the issue of abandoned projects which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.
“Forum recommits itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teaming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.”
The governors’ promised to boost development at the Yola campus of the Nigerian Law School, adding “Forum notes significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training.”
