Governors’ forum to tackle insecurity, famine at Damaturu meeting in Yobe
By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu.
The six-member North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has pledged to overcome the challenges of security and food supply facing the people living in the Northeast.
According to the forum, without security, no development could take place in any of the six states, comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Borno and Yobe states.
The pledges were made on Saturday by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State at the 11th Governors’ meeting held in Damaturu.
“Today’s meeting will provide a platform to deliberate, reflect and take far-reaching decisions for, and on behalf of, our people.
“The outcome of our meeting will also promote security, peace and economic prosperity in each of the six states in the region.”
He tasked the governors to also deliberate on the lingering Boko Haram terrorism that is bedevilling the northeast.
Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, who serves as the Chairman of forum said, “Our collective action will address the harsh economic hardships facing the people in the Northeast.
He listed the measures to be taken on food security, transportation, healthcare, including the eroding purchasing powers of consumers.
Zulum also urged the governors to take concrete measures against the perennial flooding of the six states, particularly the ones along Rivers Kumadugu/Yobe and Yedzaram.
He, therefore, urged them to strictly abide by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warning, earning signals on climate mitigation.
Speaking on insecurity, Zulum urged the military and other security agencies to sustain the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the region and Lake Chad Basin.
Other governors that attended the meeting include Governors Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe and Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Agbu Kefas of Taraba, and Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Abdulkadir Mohammed.
