Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Wednesday in Maiduguri, hosted an international workshop on civil security cooperation in humanitarian interventions in the North-east.
The three-day workshop, organised by the federal government had in attendance the Minister of Defence, Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd) who represented President Muhammadu Buhari while Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, coordinated the workshop, with Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clement Agba, in attendance.
In his message delivered by the defence minister, President Buhari called for enhance cooperation between the military involved in counter-insurgency operations and humanitarian actors helping to supply aids to victims of terror attacks.
On his part, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum emphasised the need for proper coordination of all the humanitarian interventions in the state.
The governor also reiterated his administration’s resolve to understand all forms of interventions offered by the various humanitarian actors in the state.
”We must know who is working in our state, where they work and what support they offer,” Zulum stated.
Similarly, the governor acknowledged the support from international partners; including the United Nations, INGOs and all the stakeholders in the humanitarian services sector.
The governor also applauded the effort of the Nigerian military who are fighting a decade-long insurgency in Borno state.
In his remark, the UN resident humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Sir Edward Kallon, assured the federal government of operating within the frame work provided by government.
Kallon also commended the federal government for organising the workshop, which he described as timely.
Four papers focusing on strategies to enhance cooperation between the military and humanitarian aid workers were presented by officials of the United Nations and the military involved in civil-security collaboration as well as guest speakers.
