From Yahaya Wakili & Sani Gazas, Damaturu
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that all efforts will be made to improve the livelihood of Nigerians, starting with providing adequate security to them.
He reiterated that he owes Nigerians a debt of gratitude for the opportunity to serve them.
Speaking at the palace of the Shehu of Borno in Maiduguri, Borno State, yesterday, President Buhari noted that he started his administrative career as a military officer in Borno State as a governor for seven months, under Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammad, before he was appointed Minister of Petroleum by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was then a military Head of State.
“My commitment to serve Nigerians is a payback for the love shown to me. I started my political adventure in Maiduguri and I always look forward to coming here,” he added.
President Buhari commended the governor of Borno State for his forthrightness, resilience and drive in bringing development to the state, despite security challenges.
He noted that very few leaders will take the risks Governor Babagana Umara Zulum had taken over the years to protect his people and promote peace and development, especially in putting his life on the line by spending nights with vulnerable people.
On his part, the governor thanked the President for visiting the state to appraise the security situation, and commission some of the completed projects in the last few years.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, thanked the President for consistent response to the plight of the people in the state, pointing out that the security situation had improved significantly.
He said resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would improve their economy as many would return to the farms to further boost food security, while others would continue with their trade.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has assured citizens of the Federal Government’s presence in fighting terrorism to the end, and ensuring that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are fully returned to continue normal lives.
“I am here today first and foremost to appraise the security situation in Borno State and the North East region in order to move full speed ahead and conclude the work of restoring permanent peace to the region.
“The attacks launched by cowardly terrorists against military and civilian targets last month and in previous months were a pointer to us that the work of defeating insurgency and terrorism and of restoring permanent peace to this region is not yet over.
“We will not rest until all the millions of Internally Displaced Persons are able to return and resettle in their homes and rebuild their shattered lives,” he said.
The President said all the Service Chiefs that were appointed this year either served as Theatre Commanders or were part of the command’s operations at one time or the other.
“All of them are therefore personally familiar with the challenge of insurgency. I fully expect them to bring this wealth of personal experience to bear as we move to end this scourge once and for all.
“No doubt, these successes owe a lot to the role played by volunteers of the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes. These good people include women, who are making huge sacrifices and patriotic contributions to our peace-restoration efforts,” he added.
The President noted that many servicemen and women as well as youthful volunteers had paid the supreme price in the fight to rid our communities and our country of terrorism and insurgency, appreciating their gallantry and their sacrifices.
He assured their loved ones that the sacrifices would not be in vain.
“I must also acknowledge the very important role and the sacrifices made by parents, guardians and other loved ones amongst the people of Borno State, the North East region and the country as a whole, who support their sons, daughters, husbands, brothers and sisters in going to battlefields to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and its peace.
“I thank and commend them for their resilience and assure them success is in sight,” he stated.
Buhari said the recent appointment of Amb. Babagana Kingibe, an illustrious son of Borno State, as Special Envoy to Chad and the Lake Chad Basin was intended to accelerate the restoration of democratic stability in Chad Republic and enhance cooperation among all the countries of the Lake Chad Basin.
“Let me also assure the people of Borno and the North East that we have taken decisive measures to safeguard IDPs and refugees who recently returned from Cameroon and Niger Republic. They are engaged in the task of rebuilding their communities after more than a decade of war and terrorism.
“It was part of these measures that I gave approval for the Federal Government to build 10,000 resettlement homes in Borno State. 4,000 of these homes have already been completed. “Furthermore, I approved for constant release of food intervention by Nigerian Customs Service and the North East Development Commission in order to support displaced persons.
“I have directed these agencies to sustain and deepen this support. I also wish to specially commend His Excellency Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his tireless efforts in directly supervising the distribution of food and economic empowerment to IDPs in all Local Government Areas,” President Buhari said.
The President said Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had been directed to expedite the delivery of 50MW power plant in order to ensure the prompt restoration of electricity to Maiduguri and its environs.
He said: “Furthermore, in the light of the current improvement of security in the state, I have also issued directives for the immediate resumption of Oil & Gas exploration activities in the Lake Chad basin. This is part of our overall effort to restore the state back to normalcy.”
