A two-day international conference on insecurity, resettlement and reconstruction has opened in Maiduguri, the Borno state.
The conference with the theme “Insecurity, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement in the Lake Chad Basin Region” was organised by the Department of History and Strategic Studies University of Maiduguri, attracted participants from within and outside the country.
In a keynote address, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd) emphasized that Nigeria need to pay serious attention to issues of security in the Lake Chad region and the Sahel owing to instability of the area.
General Buratai recommended for critical reforms in the Nigerian Police in areas of technology, training, professionalism and integrity to effectively tackle emerging security challenges in the county.
He also called for the restoration of local government autonomy to ensure sustainable development at the grassroot level.
“Empowering local governments to take charge of their own development initiatives is essential in building long-term stability and resilience in the region, ultimately leading to a more prosperous and equitable society” Buratai observed.
Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba noted the institution was a target by the insurgents, however it has remained open even at the height of the conflict.
He called on participants of the conference to thoroughly investigate historical events such as Boko Haram insurgency and come up with better solutions needed by the society.
“I am delighted that the Department of History and Strategic Studies has organised this first International Conference in order to attract critical scholarly discussions on the Boko Haram insurgency from a historical perspective.” Shugaba said.
“I believe that more in-depth exploration of the origin and causes of the insurgency on Borno, North East and the Lake Chad Basin will feature in the discussions”
Vice Chancellor Nigerian Army University, Professor Kyari Mohammed advocated for a national legal framework for the management of mass exit and re-insertion of repentant insurgents in to the society.
About 40 academic papers will be presented during the conference.
Cov/Dauda Iliya
