Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has pledged to resettle over 20,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to seven liberated communities in Bama Local Council of the state.
Zulum announced the resettlement of IDPs recently in Bama while presenting the staff of office to the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi.
He said: “Our plans are underway to resettle over 20,000 displaced persons into liberated communities of Daral Majal, Tarmu’a, Mayanti, Bula Yobe, Abbaram, Goniri, and Kumshe this year.
He stated that the seven border communities with Cameroun were attacked between 2013 and 2017, displacing the people to live in various IDP camps for over seven years. Besides closing the Bama IDP camp, along Mubi road, he added that the state government would sustain the implementation of policies and programmes that improve the living conditions of people.
“The resettlement project also aligns with the state’s 25-year development framework and a 10-point strategic transformation plan,” he noted.
The governor pledged to release funds to restore electricity to Bama township, stating that Gwoza would be electrified before the end of the year.
Highlighting the roles of traditional rulers in nation-building, he stated: “Your collective contributions are appreciated and rewarding in the mobilisation of your subjects to complement our efforts in improving the living conditions of people.”
He, therefore, expressed confidence that the second Shehu of Bama would consolidate on the already laid solid foundation of his late father, Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi.
In his acceptance speech, Umar El-Kanemi promised to continue to build bridges of understanding and unity by supporting government policies and programmes for a sustainable peace and development.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, and over a dozen of emirs from Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Katsina and Kaduna states attended the presentation and turbaning ceremony.
Others that attended the event include Senators Kaka Shehu Lawan, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Monguno and 40 federal and state lawmakers.
