Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has felicitated with Christians in the state and the rest of Nigeria at Easter.
Zulum, in a statement by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, called on citizens to pray and reflect on key messages of Easter which align with the Borno Government’s programme that welcomes the mass surrender of insurgents.
The surrendered insurgents are already undergoing security profiling, disarmament, demobilization and safe reintegration procedures that can guarantee the full return of sustainable peace in Borno State.
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Zulum said, “on behalf of the Borno State Government, I felicitate with our Christian brothers and sisters in Borno State at the ongoing Easter festival. To my understanding, some of the main reflections of the Easter festival are the importance of making sacrifices, for the greater good of humanity, having the strength to forgive offenders, and being able to re-emerge stronger from difficulties.”
“All of these appear to speak to the realities of our situation in Borno State.”
“In over 12 years of our battles with insurgents, (Boko Haram and later, ISWAP), Borno State, for the first time, has a golden window that has the potential of ending the insurgency.”
“The mass surrender of over 35,000 fighters and commanders, is certainly one of Allah’s many miracles, towards healing Borno and the rest of the northeast.”
“This mass surrender is a product of the endless prayers the citizens across Borno, the northeast, the rest of Nigeria and indeed the world, have been offering, seeking God’s intervention, to heal Borno State. It is the product of immense sacrifices by the armed forces and volunteers. It is a product of repeated calls by political leaders, clergies, elders and traditional rulers, asking insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.”
“We must therefore be optimistic in welcoming the likely benefits of disarming, demobilizing, rehabilitating and integrating the mass-surrendered insurgents.”
“However, we must welcome them without disregarding the risks associated with the programme, hence the need for sustained stringent security profiling and other procedures, that can ensure the overall safety of the programme.”
“I, therefore, urge all citizens to fervently pray for the success of the mass surrender of those who seek peace, and for the successes of our armed forces and volunteers in the front lines against those who insist on violence.”
(Editor, Omor Bazuaye)
