For the first time in 12 years since the Boko Haram insurgency began, the Borno State Government held a parade to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day on Saturday.
The ceremony which was held in Maiduguri’s Ramat Square was presided over by Governor Babagana Zulum.
The return of the state to peace and stability, he claimed, aided the event greatly.
Zulum, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Usman Kadafur, praised the military and other security agencies for their extraordinary success in various counter-insurgency operations.
Following the success of the terror campaign, the state government, according to the governor, was able to close all displaced persons’ camps in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas.
He stated that the vast majority of the displaced people had willfully returned to their towns and villages.
According to the governor, the government’s mission is to rebuild critical infrastructure destroyed during the insurgency’s 12-year reign.
“We renew our commitment to confronting the challenges of critical infrastructure destroyed by the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.
“And explore avenues to create job opportunities for our teeming unemployed youths, thereby, minimizing the upsurge of social vices in the society.
“We remain confident that with the massive investments we have made in the last three years in the expansion and strengthening of our resettlement and recovery effort, we shall succeed in our commitment to provide the dividends of democracy,” he added.
He vowed to provide essential services to the people, as well as to improve livelihoods and economic growth in communities.
“On a sustainable basis in the attainment of our policy thrust, we have a duty to improve on job creation, access to education, healthcare delivery services, security, potable water supply for both human and animal consumptions, among others.
“We can do these only in a climate of peace and security,” Zulum said.
As the 2023 general elections approached, he urged citizens to remain united, live peacefully, and reject all tendencies capable of plunging the country into chaos and anarchy.
