Monday, September 17, 2018

BORNO 2019: THE RISE AND RISE OF POLITICAL MILITIA




When we see young men in their flows brandishing daggers and cutlasses at the coming of some political gladiators from the Maiduguri International Airport to the Government House, what immediately comes to our minds is the story of Rwanda. This is probably how it began and in the presence of our security operatives. We are yet to deal with the issues of the nine years of insurgency, and recent attacks in Borno tell us that are yet to sing Uhuru



This is indeed worrisome even as some of them are being seen going to the Maiduguri Monday market to buy swords and cutlasses in an open day. We asked, what are they going to use these weapons for? How are they being metamorphos  from chasing Boko Haram to political foot soldiers? What kind of politics is Borno planning for 2019. Our fears are too many, and we do not want bloodshed in the land.

Yes. Our concern is on the 2019 gubernatorial election beginning with the party primaries in the state. We are not worried when people out of genuine interest to salvage Borno state came out to indicate their interest in the governorship contest. Our concern is much more on the manner at which the varying interest in being maneuvered. For example, 15 out of the current 27 APC Aspirants, who bought the form for the governorship, were being sponsored by public funds, as we learnt the money for their forms were withdrawn from the same account. This is something we are calling on the ICPC and EFCC to immediately take action.


Some of these people did not tell Borno citizens how and where they got twenty-two million naira (N22,000,000) over night to buy form for the governorship seat even when they are known to have no such amount. Others who have their mouth running faster had revealed their source of sponsorship, which is why we are calling on the anti graft agencies to come in as these are public funds intended for political chaos that may lead to another unrest in the state.

Another area of concern is the complained we are receiving from some of our wards heads, district heads and other local traditional title holders of being force to play part in the political arena. These people are not politicians and they position should be respected even if a royalty is involved in the build up for 2019 guber seat in the state. We regard this as infringement on the rights of this people.



We would like to stress that, the party at National level should beam its light more on the planned political chaos being put in place by the rise of another political militia. We are tired of bloodshed in Borno state, we have seen enough of it and have buried many innocent souls in the last nine years and are still burying.

Culled from: Borno Concern Citizens

Friday, September 14, 2018

Updates from #lakechadBerlin conference High-level conference on the Lake Chad Region Berlin



The conference is holding at the Federal Foreign Office, Berlin – Germany. The conference is jointly organised by the United Nations, Government of Germany, Nigeria and Norway.

The conference aims to increase global advocacy and increased access to funding for the UN and other Humanitarian agencies undertaking emergency, livelihoods and protection activities for victims of Boko Haram insurgency. According to the UN, millions of people in Africa’s Lake Chad region (north-east Nigeria and parts of Niger, Chad and Cameroon) are facing a profound and protracted humanitarian crisis driven by extreme poverty, climate change and violent conflict.

The crisis has led to massive internal and cross-border displacement of 2.4 million people, destruction of livelihoods, disruption of local governance systems, human rights abuses, and disruption of health, education and other basic services. More than ten million vulnerable people need life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection today. Women and children are particularly hard hit. The entire region need inclusive governance systems, better social services delivery, sustainable natural resources management and more livelihoods opportunities. A forward-looking, comprehensive response to the crises which bring together humanitarian and development actors is vital for the future of the people in the region.

In February 2017, a conference on the Lake Chad region co-hosted by Germany, Nigeria, Norway, and the United Nations took place in Oslo. Donors pledged US$672 million to emergency assistance and support in 2017 and beyond. The humanitarian response was scaled up significantly: more than six million people were reached with assistance in 2017, and a famine was averted in north-east Nigeria.

 Chinese Government has always paid close attention to the security in the region.China is having a conference currently with Africa to ensure strong cooperation the outcome of the conference will build africa's  capacity.China is willing to support the region.........no Immeadiate financial support .

United States of America donated  $170 million to the Northeast and lake Chad Region beside the sectorial support
French government is committed to uphold the Humanitarian principle and rule of law and promised $100 Million for 2019- 2022

The Sweden Government will aggressively pursue climate change in the region and girls child education. No immediate financial commitment was announced at the spot

Poland- in January Poland took up role as member United Nations security council and has donated 940,000 pieces of military to tchad in the Lake Chad Region. Poland pledged 233 million euro in addition to equipment of same amount.

African Union......no financial support😳

Canadian government has donated $60 million in 2018 in drought for Nigeria.they minister spoke on ongoing support in the region

Switzerland promised to sustain the existing support in the region.Commied to Grand bargain. We all agree that there is no military, Humanitarian, development or other solution to the problem. They have committed $20 Million to the region

International federation of red Cross investwd in building local red Cross Soceity members capacity in the Lake Chad No commitment
 Spain committed to assist the affected communities  and have committed to.support the region with 6 Million Euro.Governments in the region must develop a strategy for security coordination to allow citzens to pick up pieces of their lives.