Babagana Zulum, Borno State governor, on Thursday, inaugurated the Tukur Buratai Institute for War and Peace built, as part of efforts to overcome the challenges of insurgency in the North-east.
Speaking at the event, Zulum lauded the foresight of the Nigerian Army in building the institute, located in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of the state.
He regretted that insurgency has “inflicted debilitating impact” on the state and the neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
“Our dear state is the worst affected with many citizens still in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
“I’m not unaware of where we were before the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the successes recorded by the military in the war against terrorism.
“With the level of destruction of infrastructure and displacement of people from their communities, we have the task of rehabilitating them.
“The task before us now is to return the people to their communities and restart their means of livelihoods,” he said.
The governor stated that it is for such reason that the state government has been devoting its limited resources to empower and encourage villagers to return to their communities.
“The army is a reliable partner in this endeavour,” he also said, adding that the state government will work with the institute to design a template and programmes for peace building, reconstruction and development of the communities.
He appreciated the sacrifices of gallant troops, saying, “We shall continue to support the Armed Forces.
“When we occasionally criticise them, we do so with a view to improving on our successes and not out of lack of appreciation.”
In his remark, the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, lamented that one of the greatest challenges facing the world today is terrorism, which has had a huge toll on human lives.
Buratai pointed out that Nigeria has had its fair share of terrorism in the form of Boko Haram insurgency in the region.
He said that the military has been working substantially with the support of government and other security agencies, to rout terrorism and return peace to the affected areas.
The COAS stated that the success of the troops will enable the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to go back to their communities and resume their normal production activities.
“This is the surest way to put in a nail on the coffins of insurgency,” he said.
He commended the troops for their sacrifices in defending their country.
He assured that the Nigerian Army will continue to treat their welfare and families with topmost priority.
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