By Olukayode Idowu
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has invited retired generals, ex-top police officers and retired senior members of other security and paramilitary services from the state to a strategic meeting on security.
The state, which is the epicentre and birthplace of Boko Haram crisis, has been dealing with insecurity brought about by the decade long insurgency.
A statement on Monday by the spokesman to the governor, Malam Isa Gusau revealed that the governor at a meeting in Abuja on Sunday with indigenes of the state working at the nation’s capital, has asked that people from state who retired as Generals in the Armed Forces, and other retired top police officers, including ex highly senior security and paramilitary officers should link up with the state government to work out a strategic plan towards ending Boko Haram.
Gusau said Zulum had offered the invitation ton Sunday when he hosted a consultative meetings with Borno indigenes working at different federal establishments within the FCT, as well as other stakeholders.
The spokesman said the governor had offered the invitations especially to those who held operational positions in the the military, paramilitary and security agencies.
He disclosed that the meeting held at the banquet hall of Kanem suits in Abuja, explored ways Borno indigenes in the ranks of chief executives, permanent secretaries, directors and deputy directors at federal ministries, departments and agencies could contribute to addressing challenges of security, recovery and development of their home state.
He revealed that the Governor’s invitation to retired senior security personnels, was in response to comment by a retired Brigadier General from the state, who at the meeting, offered to contribute strategies that could help the government in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.
The governor had promised to meet the retired senior security officers as soon as the meeting can take place, at a suitable location.
The governor, was said to have, besides issue of security, challenged all participants to make contributions through other means that can help the state and its indigenes on different areas of development.
Gusau said the governor had regaled how their forefathers fought at different times to either rebuild territories or stand against threats at different times to their communities.
The governor was quoted to have said: “All of us coming together in trying to rebuild our state will not be doing something new. Our forefathers did the same thing in bringing back what is now Borno state, after turbulent times. They fought to rebuild communities. We need to be united. Lets forget about 2023 and unite for Borno’s sake.
“Each of us should see how he or she can contribute to our search for peace, to resettling our brothers and sisters that are internally displaced, to provide education, healthcare, create jobs and generally our economic recovery and development.”
Gusau, said in response to the Governor’s passionate call, attendees took turns to make insightful suggestions and to highlight existing and potential opportunities in the federal establishments they work and how Borno can maximize some benefits.
He said at the end, the meeting created thematic working groups through which attendees were requested to choose the areas they can best contribute, taking into account their areas of specialization and positions they currently occupy that can accelerate the development of Borno state and its people.