By Babagana Wakil, Maiduguri
Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum and his Gombe state counterpart, Inuwa Yahaya on Wednesday, attended the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said in a statement that during the inauguration, Buhari commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his unparalleled commitment to his people and exemplary leadership. He also spoke highly of Governor Yahaya.
Buhari, the statement added, gave assurance that the North East will, in the coming months, witness a change from the protracted insurgency to peace and development in their respective communities.
The President attributed recent gains being recorded by the military in tackling the 13-year conflict and insurgency in the region and will not relent in efforts towards a return to peace and normalcy.
Adesina quoted Buhari as saying, ”At the advent of this administration in 2015, I pledged to Nigerians that I will restore peace in the North East and return it to the path of development and growth. I remain committed to this promise.
”To the people of the North-East, particularly the children and future of the North-East, we will never forget that your courage, sacrifice and endurance has been exemplary.
”I pledge to you that in the coming months you will begin to witness a shift away from a protracted insurgency to peace building, stabilization and ultimate development in your respective communities as we embark on a revised approach to addressing this conflict and return to normalcy.”
The President’s spokesman also announced that committee has been tasked to develop a concise three-year action plan by the end of March 2022 that incorporates national and state level plans, providing a clear pathway for the restoration of peace and development in the North East.
The Committee, he said, will also develop and implement a phased plan for the repatriation, return, resettlement of IDPs and restoration of livelihoods, incorporating global best practices that give dignity to the affected populations.
According to the President, they will also be responsible for the development and implementation of a coordinated peace building and reconciliation programme that is culturally appropriate and community driven.
The Committee is also saddled with the responsibility of strengthening collaboration with key donors, development partners and private sector organisations that are critical to the mobilisation of resources and implementation of programmes.
Members of the Committee comprise Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development; Interior; Foreign Affairs and Defence; the National Security Adviser, Inspector- General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, Director General, State Security, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Managing Director, North-East Development Commission, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants & Internally Displaced Persons, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Mr Adesina noted in the statement.
