By: Gbenga Akingbule
The Executive Chairman of Kukawa Local Government Area( LGA) of Borno State, Hon. Mustafa Muhammed Kukawa, recently said Governor Babagana Zulum’s sustained resettlement drive and improved security have restored hope and economic activities across communities in the local government.
Gatekeepers News reports that Kukawa LGA , one of the largest in the state by landmass, was severely affected by over a decade of Boko Haram insurgency, which displaced thousands of residents and disrupted farming, fishing, education and other economic activities. However, according to the Chairman, the situation is gradually improving, with residents returning to their communities and economic activities picking up.
This was disclosed during a media chat with Hon. Kukawa in Maiduguri , the state capital where he stated that residents had been successfully resettled in several communities, including Kukawa town, Baga, Kekeno, Cross Kauwa, Mile 90 and Dondoram, following the governor’s determination to return willing displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
According to Hon. Kukawa, security had also improved considerably, noting that incidents of roadside ambushes and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) had drastically reduced through close collaboration between the local government and security agencies.
The chairman said the improvement in security is allowing farmers and fishermen who fled to neighbouring states to gradually return and reclaim their livelihoods.
” Governor Zulum’s commitment to restoring security and returning willing displaced people to their ancestral homes is yielding results. Our farmers and fishermen are gradually coming back, and this is helping to revive economic activities across Kukawa.” Hon Kukawa said .
He also pointed out the education interventions in the area, including the construction of a Mega School in Baga, provision of uniforms and learning materials, as well as daily meals to encourage children to return to school.
Hon. Kukawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Zulum on Security, attributed his approach to grassroots governance to the governor’s hands-on leadership style.
He described Zulum as a courageous and visionary leader, saying his commitment to restoring communities affected by insurgency had made a significant difference in the lives of residents.
” Borno will deeply miss Governor Zulum because he is not just a leader, but an institution and a masterclass in purposeful leadership. However, we are glad that our party’s -;All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, is also a capable leader who can build on the achievements of Governor Zulum,” Kukawa said.
