Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has led a delegation of colleagues to Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, for the 11th North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) meeting focusing on regional security, boosting agricultural development, and addressing other emerging challenges.

The high-level meeting brings together governors from the six Northeastern states, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, to discuss collaborative strategies for tackling the resurgence of Boko Haram hostilities and revitalising agricultural activities amid other ongoing challenges.

In his opening remarks, Zulum, who is chairman of the forum, emphasised the need for a unified approach to combating terrorism, banditry, and other security threats destabilising the region.

“Your Excellencies, our Forum’s determined efforts in collectively tackling all issues affecting our region have further made us a force to be reckoned with in the nation. I urged all well-meaning citizens of our region to support and work with us in the interest of the development of our people,” he said.

The Borno helmsman added: “As governors, we have a sacred responsibility to our people; we must provide them with the necessities of life, create opportunities for them to thrive, and ensure that they live in a peaceful and secure environment. But we cannot do all these alone.

“We need each other’s support, cooperation and understanding. We must recognise that our successes are tied to the success of our region. We must acknowledge that our collective progress depends on our ability to collaborate to share our resources and leverage our strengths.”