The governor of Yobe State and chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, Mai Mala Buni, has assured of the commitment of the forum to sustainable security and economic growth in the region.
He gave this assurance yesterday when he visited the headquarters of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in Njadmena, Chad.
In a statement by Mamman Mohammed, the Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Buni congratulated the new executive secretary of the commission, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, assuring him of a cordial working relationship between the forum and the commission.
‘You have no doubt taken this responsibility at a consequential moment for the Lake Chad Basin; one in which our shared security, stabilisation and development challenges demand stronger political coordination, deeper institutional partnership and a renewed sense of common purpose.
‘As chairman of the governors’ forum, I assure you of our readiness to work closely with you in advancing this common agenda and to achieve our set targets,’ the governor said.
Buni appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to regional peace, security and cooperation among the member states.
‘His administration’s support for multilateral cooperation, the Multinational Joint Task Force and regional stabilisation efforts remains vital to our collective pursuit of lasting peace and shared prosperity,’ he stressed.
Gov Buni explained that insecurity, displacement, climate pressures, economic vulnerability and violent extremism do not respect administrative boundaries.
‘Our response must, therefore, be rooted in solidarity, coordination and collective action,’ he added.
The governor charged the commission to deepen engagement with the African Union, UNDP, international financial institutions, bilateral partners and other stakeholders to achieve its targets.
Similarly, Buni was at the headquarters of the Multi National Joint Task Force, where he shared their experiences and challenges in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region.
‘I pledge to share your successes and challenges with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, especially the withdrawal of Niger Republic from the task force, the inadequacy of resources, equipment and manpower, among others,’ the governor assured.