Much progress has been made in the Lake Chad Basin region in recent years which has steadily been stabilized, with voluntary, safe, dignified return and integration of displaced populations and a growing momentum for durable solutions towards the rebuilding of lives and livelihoods of the affected communities, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni said in Maiduguri Wednesday. Speaking as Chief Host at the opening ceremony of the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum at the University of Maiduguri’s Muhammadu Indimi International Learning Center, Buni said the basin however faces multifaceted challenges including a growing demographic, security threats, limited infrastructure, climate change and socio-economic disparities that demand concerted efforts.
Buni described the Forum’s theme, which is “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security, and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community” as providing another opportunity for states and provinces around the Lake Chad Basin region across Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon republics to discuss and reflect on the journey so far since the regional strategy for stabilization, recovery and resilience became operational five years ago.
The Forum, he said, “is a beacon of hope, serving as the cornerstone for strengthening and promoting good governance, cross-border cooperation, dialogue and coordinated action among the Basin’s eight territories. The conversations and commitments we make here are instrumental in shaping policies and interventions that address the root causes of instability and lay the foundation for sustainable development.”
He said, “Over the years, the Governors’ Forum in close collaboration with LCBC, African Union Commission and development partners has established itself as a leading political platform for policy dialogue among various stakeholders with a view to generate applicable policies and programmes geared towards the short, medium and long-term stabilization and development of the Lake Chad Basin Region.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, Governors of the Lake Chad Basin, the United Nations, the African Union Commission, UNDP, representatives of regional and International Support Groups, Multi National Joint Task Force [MNJF] and traditional leaders for the gathering, which he said is of immense socio-economic and security significance.
As the largest stakeholder in the Lake Chad Basin which hosts 74% of the affected population, Buni said Nigeria’s leadership reflects a profound sense of responsibility to address the shared challenges that transcend borders. He described the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS-SRR), adopted by the forum five years ago, as “a testament to what we can achieve collectively. Its localisation through the Territorial Action Plans highlights the importance of ownership and inclusion in our stabilisation efforts. Yobe State has directly benefited from the RS-SRR framework through infrastructure rehabilitation, livelihood restoration, and community cohesion projects. This reinforces the critical need for continued partnerships and innovative resource mobilization to amplify these successes.”
Buni also thanked President Tinubu for his continuous commitment to advancing national, regional and international peace, development and security agenda.
