By Kagana Amshi in Damaturu
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni engaged with members of the diplomatic community in a bid to strengthen partnerships across peace, security, stabilisation, and the execution of the state’s Solutions to Internal Displacement (SOLID) Action Plan.
The meeting, held in Damaturu on Thursday, November 27, focused on reviewing updates regarding the resettlement, community recovery, and reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs), alongside the critical transition from emergency humanitarian aid to durable solutions.
According to a statement released by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, the discussions underlined economic recovery, agriculture, and livestock development as core sectors requiring support for employment, food security, and investment.
Governor Buni praised the diplomatic community as reliable partners, stating, “I am pleased to inform you that we have made remarkable progress in consolidating stability and recovery, with impressive growth in peace, resettlement, and access to basic services.”
He attributed this success to robust cooperation with these valued partners.
The Governor highlighted the state’s leading role in Nigeria’s durable solutions programme. “Yobe State is at the forefront of the durable solutions programme in Nigeria,” he affirmed.
He also noted the state has recorded the highest number of voluntary IDP returns in the Northeast, with only one community, Mallam Dunari, yet to be fully resettled.
Mr Patrick Egloff, the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, lauded Governor Buni’s commitment to resettling displaced communities and affirmed the Swiss government’s willingness to partner with Yobe State.
“There is a true sense of commitment, and I would like to visit Yobe State to demonstrate our commitment to the partnership,” the Ambassador said.
He further urged the Governor to use his position as Chairman of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum to replicate Yobe’s success across member states.
The session also deliberated on donor coordination and future engagement channels to ensure the sustainability of durable solutions initiatives.
Ambassadors from Switzerland, Japan, Turkey, and the UAE were in attendance, along with representatives from the UK Development Director and the Head of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
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