LCBC: FG Unfolds Strategy for Region’s Growth

LCBC: FG Unfolds Strategy for Region’s Growth

Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Ministers has endorsed the Regional Stabilization Strategy as a pad to bring growth and lasting peace to the region.

At the Ministerial Conference on the validation of the Regional Stabilization Strategy meeting held on Thursday 30th August, 2018 in Abuja, the Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said that the stabilization strategy meeting was convened as a result of concerns arising from intensity and expansion of Boko Haram activities in the Lake Chad region leading to massive internal and cross border displacement, destruction of lives and properties, human rights abuses, and weakening of government institutions and apparatus.

The Vice President who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, FNSE, said that the endorsement of the stabilization strategy is in line with the Resolution 2349 of the United Nations Security Council which enjoined Governments in LCBC Region to develop a regional inclusive strategy to reintegrate persons associated with Boko Haram.

Prof. Osinbajo also stated that as part of the LCBC Stabilization Strategies, a Governor’s forum was convened to act as an effective tool to foster regional cooperation on stabilization, peace building and sustainable development. The forum will serve as a vehicle for the Governors of the affected region to undertake continuous community engagement with the affected population and to coordinate stabilization activities.

“On our part as a country, returning the region to normalcy is one of the highest priorities of the present administration”, he said. He stated that the Government of Nigeria established a Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative to develop areas affected by the Boko Haram in Northern part of Nigeria.

He therefore charged member countries that stabilization efforts should be anchored on a clearly thought out strategy that reflects the community, national and regional aspirations.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon commended member countries of LCBC for the development of the Regional Stabilization Strategy which has been validated and endorsed.

“The successful adoption of the strategy is an eloquent testimony of our collective commitment and resolve to change the fortunes of the Lake Chad Basin for good and lay the foundation for a stable, resilient and transformed sub-region”, he said.

The Executive Secretary of LCBC, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, said that there was the urgent need to address the stabilization challenges facing the member countries as the success recorded by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the national operations of the four affected countries previously occupied by the terrorist now liberated has exposed a huge humanitarian gap. “We now have to urgently address the stabilization challenges before us to bring succor to the affected people”, Ambassdor Mamman Nuhu said.

Kenechukwu Offie