*security, economy top agenda
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The 6th meeting of the North East Governors’ Forum is underway in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya alongside Chairman of of Forum, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, the host Governor, Mai mala Buni and Deputy Governors of Adamawa Bauchi and Taraba States in attendance.
A statement signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs) Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, dated Tuesday December 14, said that declaring the meeting open, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum said the series of meetings by the forum has been able to identify most of the daunting challenges facing the sub-region within the context of larger emergencies.
He said the Forum was able to come with far reaching and positive suggestions on how to address such challenges in a collective desire to improve the living conditions of the people and the infrastructural deficit in the North East sub-region.
“As you are aware, one of the most formidable challenges facing the sub-region and indeed Nigeria as a whole is the issue of insecurity largely characterised by insurgency, banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling and Gender Based Violence among others. Equally worrisome is the social and economic scourge affecting the sub-region brought about by youths restiveness, massive unemployment and extreme poverty”.
Professor Zulum explained that since the inauguration of the North East Governors Forum in Gombe, it has demonstrated an unwavering commitment and determination to see to the success of the subregion through the articulation of various means and ways to tackle the challenges confronting it.
The Chairman of the North East Governors Forum noted that the untiring commitment of the his colleagues has impacted positively on the forum’s undying quest to redefine the social and economic development of the region.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the host Governor Mai Mala Buni, paid glowing tribute to the Forum for articulating ideas that have helped in bringing relative stability in the troubled North East.
He said through a peer review mechanism, his administration, like those of his counterparts in the region, are doing everything necessary to enhance the social and economic lives of the people.
A communique is expected at the end of the meeting.
