Boko Haram: Zulum travels to Chad, meets multinational forces, LCBC
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has visited the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force in N’Djamena, capital of the Republic of Chad.
The forces, mostly military personnel from Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria, all countries in the Lake Chad region, have been deeply involved in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency in the shores of the Lake Chad, part of which are in northern part of Borno State and communities in the other countries.
Zulum, who departed Maiduguri airport Sunday afternoon, arrived the Chadian capital ahead of his activities.
The commander of the multinational JTF, Major-General I. M. Yusuf, received Zulum at their operational headquarters.
Two members of the Borno State House of Assembly, whose constituencies are located within operational areas of the MNJTF, accompanied the governor.
Among the entourage of the governor were the Secretary to the State Government, two commissioners and other relevant officials.
Zulum and the forces commander held a close-door meeting over the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of Borno State.
Later at an open session, General Yusuf, on behalf all member countries in the task force, said they were encouraged by Zulum‘s visit which, he said, demonstrated the governor’s commitment to peace building in Nigeria and other affected countries.
“Since you were a commissioner responsible for reconstruction, there is no rural area in Borno State that you have not traversed. I was GOC then and I can testify that whether security was there or not, in most cases, you risked your life to go everywhere. For some of us that know you, we are not at all surprised by the energy we see in you as you drive the peace process since you became governor. So, when we heard you would be visiting Chad and the ambassador contacted us that you would be paying courtesy call on MNJTF, we were very pleased,” Yusuf said.
Governor Zulum thanked the forces for their sacrifices and patriotism, assuring them of his support at all times.
The leaders affirmed their resolve to remain resolute in finding peace against the wish of Boko Haram insurgents.
Zulum meets LCBC’s executives
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was Monday at the headquarters of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, also in N’Djamena, capital of the Republic of Chad.
Zulum, accompanied by the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic Of Chad and officials of the Borno State Government, was received by the executive secretary of the commission, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu and other officials from different countries.
The high-level meeting focused on security around the shores of the Lake Chad, humanitarian needs and restoration of the means of livelihoods.
Issues of trans-border trade and direct road linkage between Nigeria and Chad were also discussed during the meeting and followed up on the regional stabilization facility.
At the end of the meeting, leaders reiterated commitment to regional stabilization through sustained fight against the Boko Haram insurgency and the stimulation of trans-border trade.
By PRNigeria
