Support Nigerian Youths with Means of Livelihood-Zulum

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has said the root cause of insurgency in the Northeast region can be identified with poverty and that war against insurgency would be easily won if it is dealt with.

The governor, who spoke to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, however, tasked government at all levels to ensure that youths are positively engaged with jobs, to root out insurgency.

The governor acknowledged the efforts of the process and noted that peace was gradually returning to the Northeast particularly Borno State.
He said the state had resettled more than 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their homes, following the return of the security.

In his words: “I’m glad to inform Nigerians that there is the gradual return of peace to the Northeast region, particularly in Borno State as Government has started resettlement of people to their ancestral homes”.
“We have received tremendous support from the Nigerian military, from the paramilitary, the Ministry of Finance, Humanitarian Affairs, and its agencies especially NEMA, the North East Development Commission, and others.

“The gradual return of people to their respective localities is a symbol of peace. So far so good, we are doing well.

“We need continuous support from the Nigerian military. We need sustainable support to ensure that this madness is brought to an end.”
On how best to fight insurgency and ensure that people live in peace, the governor said: “The kinetic measures will not solve the problem. There must be certain political solutions.

“Among the political solutions are the issues of supporting the Nigerian youths with a means of earning their livelihood.

“As I have earlier said, there is a need for us to address the root causes of the problem. One of the greatest root causes of insurgency is poverty. So the government at all levels should give job opportunities to the youth and an enabling environment for the poor to have access to their farmlands.
“That is what I have been advocating since I assumed the mantle of leadership as governor of Borneo State.

“We want to ensure that people return to their communities, people have access to their farmlands, their livestock farms, aquaculture farms.
“I think this is the only solution; military solution alone will never solve the problem.”