From Dauda Iliya
Civil society, humanitarian organisations, media and security agencies in the Northeast region have converged in Maiduguri, Borno state to develop strategies for building sustainable peace in the region.
Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum charged stakeholders in the peace building process to support and participate in the recovery effort of the state.
The first civil society security summit was aimed to develop a roadmap that would catalyse action, improve synergy among different organisations and address concerns of vulnerable groups in the region.
Currently, One point nine million people are in need of assistance and livelihood support to improve their wellbeing.
Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum represented by his Chief of Staff Professor Isa Hussaini said collaborative effort was critical to address security challenges in the northeast.
Governor Zulum charged civil society and non governmental organisations to key into the development drive and focus more on the empowerment of IDPs at the community level.
He commended security agencies for their resilience and sacrifice in securing lives of people in the state.
Also speaking, Shehu of Borno Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi represented by the District Head of Dusuman Alhaji Abba Kyari Terab attributed rising insecurity in the region to total collapse of traditional and cultural values.
Head of Office UN OCHA Mr Trond Jensen, representatives of state governors Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe and security agencies promised to work together to achieve sustainable peace.
Chairman Northeast Civil Society Forum Ambassador Ahmed Shehu said the forum was concerned with scale of insecurity in parts of the country, hence the summit.
The Northeast Peace and Security Summit has as its theme ‘Developing Civil Society Agenda’.