Stakeholders Charge Borno Gov’t to Protect children, Women Affected By Insurgency 

By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri 
 
Stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, have urged the Borno state government to formulate policies that would protect children and women affected by insurgency conflicts.
 
According to them, there’s a need for governments to recognise the roles of traditional rulers in the constitution.
 
The District Head of Maisandari, Alhaji Bukar Abba, said they urged the government and humanitarian partners to implement the compiled demands, which are outlined in three chapters.
 
He emphasised the need for collective efforts towards actualising the dreams and sustainable growth of the victims and survivors. 
 
On his part, Engineer Baba Ahmed Sanda, the district head of Yerwa, suggested that the invisible children should be shared with the district heads of the communities where the children come from and be placed under their guardianship.
 
He added that the government and other agencies should empower the district heads to cater to the children; otherwise, they will grow up to become a nuisance to society.
 
Responding, the Executive Director of the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Hamsatu Allamin, during a one-day town hall meeting to “discuss the demands of survivors and victims of insurgency,” held in Maiduguri.
 
Hamsatu said the initiatives would address the plight of those affected by the insurgency and promote transitional justice and human rights.
 
Speaking, the Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, assured the participants of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commitment to partnering with the Allamin Foundation.
 
She appreciated the foundation’s activities and commended the founder’s bravery and diligence in humanitarian efforts, especially in deradicalisation, reconciliation, reintegration, and rehabilitation.
 
She pledged to support and encourage traditional leaders and government officials to participate in implementing the demands as part of women and girls’ rights.
 
Also, the Special Adviser to the Borno state Governor on security matters, Brig. Gen. Ishaq Abdullahi (rtd.), said the roles of traditional and religious leaders are important to the success recorded in the three years.
 
The participants called on the judiciary and government officials to ensure that the demands are implemented as policy documents by relevant government agencies and departments.