Adamawa State Government reaffirms readiness to combat border challenges around its territory.
By Babangida Galleon
Adamawa state government has reaffirmed its readiness to support all plans and initiatives aimed at addressing the protracted border challenges in the country.
Adamawa state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, stated this while declaring open, a one day workshop for the creation of Nigeria’s platform for local border authorities along Nigeria – Cameroon international boundary with the theme “transforming borders from barriers of separation to bridges of cooperation and integration” which took place in yola, the Adamawa state capital.
Declaring the workshop which was organized by the National boundaries commission In conjunction with Adamawa state Government open, Governor Ahmadu umaru Fintiri said the security implications of unresolved border issues cannot be overstated as the absence of clear demarcation poses risks and challenges, especially in areas lacking adequate security infrastructure.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri said creating such platforms can effectively improve peaceful coexistence and security for the border communities, stressing that their voices and concerns in the process of finding a lasting solution is very important being those whose livelihoods and sense of security are directly linked to the resolution.
He expressed gratitude to the National Boundary Commission for taking this step which according to him will help in ensuring peace, security, and prosperity for the people of Adamawa State, while calling for a collaboration between the Adamawa State Government, and all other stakeholders as he wished them a successful deliberation.
In her remarks, the deputy governor of Adamawa state, who is also the chairman, Adamawa state boundary committee, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta said Adamawa state has the longest stretch of international boundary which made the state one of the major stake holders of the project.
Earlier in his welcome address, the director general, National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji who was represented by the director, Research and Planning, Amina Nyako said the workshop was designed to improve trans-border relations between composite regions and local border authorities as well as the traditional rulers along Nigeria Cameroon international boundary.
Also, the executive secretary, Border communities development agency, Captain Junaid Abdullahi who was represented by the director planning, intergovernmental and community relations of the agency, Sadik Isa Abdullahi commended the National Boundary commission for organizing the workshop which he described as a commitment towards the implementation of the African Union border government strategy.
Participating states in the one day workshop includes Borno, Taraba, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Adamawa state as the host.
