The North-East Governors Forum has restated that insecurity in the region cannot be resolved through military action alone, stressing the need for a multi-dimensional approach that addresses the root causes of conflict.
At the Forum’s 12th rotational meeting held in Taraba yesterday, Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, said education, healthcare, improved infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and job creation must complement security measures to restore peace and development in the region.
While commending President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts against insurgency, the governors identified youth restiveness, unemployment, poor road networks, and limited vocational and technical education as major factors fuelling instability.
“We must reiterate our call for non-kinetic solutions to the challenges. This involves tackling youth unemployment through enhanced technical and vocational education, revitalising agriculture, expanding poverty reduction programmes, and improving our healthcare and security systems. We must also take practical steps to attract local and foreign investments and support the establishment of small and medium-scale enterprises”, Zulum stated.
The Forum urged the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for investors and emphasised the need to prioritise development strategies in line with the 2025 seasonal climate predictions and hydrological outlook.
Earlier, Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, called on his colleagues to press the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to expedite reconstruction of the Namai bridge, which collapsed in August 2024, claiming several lives.
The governors also lamented the region’s humanitarian and infrastructural setbacks but reaffirmed their collective commitment to drive development and ensure long-term stability.
