From Olukayode Idowu
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has said there is need to continue to fight poverty in the land, lamenting that some people have been recruited into Boko Haram group with just N5,000.
Speaking to the people of the state during the democracy day celebration and second year anniversary of his government, the governor said he has recognised that no plan of could succeed when hundreds of thousands of fellow citizens, especially those displaced by insurgents, live with hunger and indignity.
The governor who said a lot has been achieved in not only infrastructural development of the state but in the area of securing the people from Boko Haram attack, noted that: “From records, we have experienced instances when insurgents offered as low as between 5,000 and 10,000 Naira to recruit some spies and smugglers of weapons.”
He said this made his government to take steps ahead by making sure regularly visit was made on IDPs in all parts of the state, including remote locations, to efficiently and sufficiently deliver food, cash support, and clothing.
He added that: “We needed to ensure that our good citizens had the support they needed, and they were not exposed to potential attractions for the incentives of insurgents.”
Zulum said: there was the risk that insurgents could, after making IDPs socially and economically vulnerable, also explore that vulnerability by offering food and cash incentives to recruit fighters who could even serve as their spies in communities.
On his achievements, he said: “With shared commitments and with the strong goodwill, support and prayers from you, the people of Borno State, we are delivering 556 capital projects with 70% of the total already completed while 30% are at various completion levels.
“Our projects, done with your support, include 194 capital projects on education, which encompass rehabilitation, completion and fresh construction of Mega-size government technical colleges and primary schools in different communities. We have 63 capital projects on governance, and another 63 capital projects on roads, transport, rural and urban development. 59 capital projects are being delivered on water and environment; while on health, we are delivering 58 capital projects that include establishment of 74 primary healthcare centres across local government areas, rehabilitation of 8 General and specialist hospitals in MMC, Biu, Damboa, Monguno and Magumeri.”