I’m Now Borno’s Lead Advocate For Donor Supports – UN’s Guterres Declares
“…for what I have seen here and I Want to strongly appeal to the international community to understand Borno as a state of hope.”
– UN Secretary-General
Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres had Tuesday, May 3, declared a commitment to be a leading advocate in seeking support for war wrecked Borno state within the International community.
Guterres was in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state Northeast Nigeria on an official visit to the staate.
The Humanitarian Times gathered that the UNSG arrived Nigeria after taking off from Niger Republic where he visited on similar working visit.
The top UN humanitarian had upon arrival at the Airport at about 2pm visited a Maiduguri holding facility where he met with the surrendered terrorists before he later moved to Gubio IDP camp to interface with displaced persons.
Speaking on his visit and what he made of the situation he met on ground, the UN secretary general said his coming to the front line state symbolises the international community’s commitment ending terrorism and building peace.
“The fact that I came to Borno state is symbolic of our priority to fight terrorism in the world and to create solutions to the victims of terrorism,” he said.
“What I used to read since my time as UN High Commissioner on Refugees was a Borno state of terrorism, displacement and violence.”
“This is not the Borno I found today. I found a Borno of hope; a Borno with a future.
” I am very impressed with policy put in place here recognising that you don’t fight terrorism by military means, you fight terrorism by addressing the root cause of terrorism. And the policy of the governor aiming at establishing fully the confidence between the people and the government is an essential element that could be implemented in reality.
” It is essential that in situations like this it is not enough to even provide basic assistance.
But the people I met today want more than that. They want to go back to safety and dignity. When one look at the state we have to understand the to address terrorism effectively is to provide not only hope but a future of reality, is to invest in livelihood; is to invest in the reijtegratiin of those that in the past have been recruited into terrorism by Boko Haram.
“I was amazed to see today in the center those that have been terrorists now want to be in the society; they want to contribute to the society.
This is a laudable policy you have here; a policy of reconcikiatikn, a policy of reintegration, policy aimed with development perspective to allow for terrorism to be eliminated so that the people are able to construct their future in confidence.
“I want to congratulate the governor for what I have seen here and I Want to strongly appeal to the international community to understand Borno as a state of hope.
“To support humanitarian action in Borno; we must recognise the humanitarian challenges Borno face – climate change, Boko Haram, and to invest in the Borno of hope. To provide support to the project of government of Borno, to the civil society in Borno in order to create a safe society for real development in which schools work, hospital work and people can live in peace and in solidarity.
“So I will be your advocate Mr Governor within the international to support and invest in the Borno of hope.”
