Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Northern Borno, has commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s unwavering dedication to combating insecurity in Borno State.
The Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Monguno, made the commendation on Saturday at the venue of a workshop he organised in a parallel effort to bolster local peace and security infrastructure.
The intensive three-day workshop held at the Barwee Hotel in Maiduguri focused on peacebuilding, early warning systems, and conflict resolution for 150 security operatives drawn from his constituency’s ten local government areas.
The training targeted a diverse group of frontline security actors, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence, Immigration, Civilian JTF, and various vigilante groups.
Addressing the participants, Senator Monguno explicitly linked his initiative to Governor Zulum’s ongoing efforts to restore peace and rebuild livelihoods in the region ravaged by insurgency.
“This training is a direct complement to the tireless work Governor Zulum is doing on the ground,” stated Senator Monguno.
“Building the capacity of our local security structures is absolutely critical to supporting the government’s broader strategy in the fight against insurgency.”
The senator emphasised the necessity of community-driven security measures and highlighted the importance of empowering local actors to effectively contribute to the overall security architecture.
He further stressed that the fight against insurgency demands a cohesive and collaborative approach involving all levels of government and the active participation of citizens.
Beyond strengthening the security apparatus, Senator Monguno also invested in the economic resilience of the community by providing skills training in soap making to 150 women and youths.
He underscored the interconnectedness of security and economic empowerment in stabilising communities recovering from conflict.
Dr Emmanuel Mamman, a representative from the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, lauded Senator Monguno’s initiative as particularly timely given the recent security challenges experienced in parts of Borno State.
Beneficiaries from the Nigerian Army and Police who participated in the training expressed their appreciation to both Senator Monguno and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, noting the practical value and morale-boosting impact of the workshop.
At the conclusion of the training, Senator Monguno provided each of the 300 participants (both security operatives and those trained in soap making) with a financial support of one hundred thousand naira (N100,000), demonstrating a significant personal investment of thirty million naira (N30,000,000) in the future of his constituency.
Looking ahead, Senator Monguno announced ambitious plans for infrastructural development exceeding one billion naira in both his Northern Borno constituency and the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).
These projects include vital road network construction, perimeter fencing at the Federal Polytechnic Monguno, the reconstruction of the crucial Marte–Monguno road, the construction of a town hall in Monguno town, the implementation of mega water projects across Northern Borno, and the construction of lecture theatres at Ramat Polytechnic and Borno State University.
Senator Monguno’s multi-pronged approach, focusing on both immediate security capacity building and long-term socio-economic development, signals a comprehensive strategy to support Governor Zulum’s efforts in fostering lasting peace and stability in Northern Borno.