Northeast Governors Talk Better Solutions for Security and Development

Di 8th Meeting of di North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) happen for Maiduguri, Borno State on Saturday, 9th September 2023. Di governors from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, plus Deputy Governors from Gombe and Taraba later meet to discuss pressing issues wey dey affect di region. Dem express joy for di way di governors dey work together and how dem dey build better relationships for di six states.

Di Forum make some points after plenty discussions:

1. Appreciation: Dem thank Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima for attending di opening of di meeting, and dem also thank di Government and People of Borno State for hosting di program.

2. Security Concern: Di governors talk say although dem don see some success against insurgency, banditry don increase for di region. As military dey push bandits from other areas, dem don start to move towards di Northeast, especially for Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba wey usually no dey face dis kind wahala before. Dem call on di Federal Government to act fast to tackle di new security threat.

3. Traditional Rulers’ Involvement: Di Forum don notice say some traditional rulers and local leaders dey work with di bandits, giving dem cover to carry out their crimes. Dem agree to take strong actions against any traditional ruler or community leader wey dey harbour or support di bandits.

4. Mining Issues: Di Forum highlight say di way mining dey spread for di region, both legal and illegal, don become serious problem. Dem note say dis mining dey contribute to di insecurity and dem call on state governments to follow dem local consent laws for mining activities, as well as di provisions of di Land Use Act.

5. Climate Change and Environment: Di Fonum talk say climate change and environmental issues, like flooding and deforestation from di charcoal business, dey affect di people for di region. Dem call for Federal Government intervention to desilt rivers and to control deforestation better. Di Forum go join global initiatives like di Carbon Credit and di Great Green Wall to combat climate change.

6. Infrastructure Neglect: Di governors dey worried about di bad condition of roads and railway wey connect di Northeast to oda parts of di country. Di road from Enugu to Maiduguri dey in very bad shape and di railway don gather dust. Di Forum dey urge di Federal Government to fix these important infrastructure wey dey support trade and peace-building for di region.

Na so di Forum wrap up dia discussions, promising to follow up on all di issues wey dey affect di region.