By: Gbenga Akingbule
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock, on Monday, pledged continued support to the educational and security sectors in Nigeria, stating that her country is interested in the peace and stabilization of the North East Region.
Gatekeepers News reports that Annalena, who equally pledged support to the health sector, carried out projects and programs that will give hope to residents of communities that were destroyed by non-state actors.
This was disclosed in Ngarannam, a community in Borno State where the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) with support from Germany, the State Government and other partners built 500 houses for the resettlement of displaced residents.
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum and the Germany Minister for Foreign Affairs
The German Foreign Minister stated that her country, through the Foreign Affairs Ministry, has set up a new stabilization approach that will ensure the combining of civil and military security that will better the future of residents
According to her, “this is just a starting point for future cooperation,” as she noted that ” you cannot stabilize a region without security.”
“This is really important for us. Because, giving people back their homeland, and villages mean also giving people back hope for the future of their children. We see here that not only fighting terrorism is crucial, but also working together to stabilize the region through education, hospitals and also prospective with regards to work and income.
“Therefore, it is important for us as European partners, as German partners to support peace and stabilization process here with a holistic approach- working together with security, education, health and supporting Police Stations so people can trust again in state infrastructure and in their future,” the Minister said.
The Minister who took ample time to interact with some students at Ngarannam village school was visibly encouraged by the responses to her simple test questions. She urged the students to aspire to any height in life stating that “education is the best promise for their future.”
Borno State Governor, Prof . Babagana Zulum who conducted the Minister round during the visit commended the German government for its interventions in the state.
“The Government of Germany had contributed a lot to our Regional Stability Facility. Through the regional stabilization facility, we were able to build thousands of houses, classrooms, payment and motivation of teachers, provision of means of livelihood to displaced communities in Borno State,” Gov Zulum said.
