The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh made his inaugural visit to the Shehu of Borno’s historic palace today, as he embarked on a high-level engagement of his  newly established ministry in the northeast region. 

At the palace the Minister expressed his “privilege” to be in the ancient palace with his team on a working visit. He emphasized the crucial need to engage directly with local leadership to gain a firsthand understanding of the regional dynamics.

A central theme of his address was the commendation of the Shehu for his steadfast leadership in maintaining peace and order in Borno, even amidst the persistent threat of Boko Haram.

Conveying greetings and well wishes from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister urged the Shehu to continue his pivotal support for the current administration, asserting that the President “meant well for the people of Nigeria.” He said the call for a continued partnership highlights the federal government’s reliance on traditional institutions in its efforts to stabilize and develop the volatile region.

In response, the Shehu of Borno, His Eminence Abubakar Garbai Allamin Elkanemi, a revered traditional ruler, offered a detailed exposition of Borno’s vast and intricate administrative structure. He noted the state encompasses 27 local government areas, with 16 under his emirate, supported by 59 districts, 596 village heads, and over 5,000 ward heads.

Reflecting on Borno’s rich, millennia-old history, the Shehu delved into the origins of the Boko Haram insurgency, attributing it to “alien settlers who came in disguise seeking Quranic knowledge.”

This historical perspective of the Shehu offers a nuanced view of the conflict, framing it as an external imposition on a historically peaceful region.

Optimistically, the Shehu acknowledged the substantial progress made in combating the insurgency. He credited the collaborative efforts of both the federal and state governments for significantly minimizing the problem, allowing residents to gradually return to their businesses after enduring what he described as ”the worst days of total insecurity.”

However, he also articulated pressing needs, particularly emphasizing the imperative for “prayers and jobs for the youth” across the local government areas. He lauded the Nigerian military’s ongoing efforts and commended the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for its contributions, yet stressed that the challenges confronting Borno remain “enormous.”

The Shehu underscored the sheer scale of the state, noting that travel across a single senatorial district can consume approximately eight hours.

He also highlighted the recent “grave disaster” caused by floods and expressed gratitude for the Federal Government’s “wonderfully intervened” response. Concluding the meeting, the Shehu extended his best wishes for the Minister’s successful tour of duty, signaling a continued readiness for cooperation between the traditional institution and the federal government in the arduous task of rebuilding and securing Borno.