Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday at the United Nations (UN) House Abuja signed a jointed memorandum at the inaugural Board meeting of the UN Support for Borno Model of Reconciliation and Reintegration, and the establishment of the Steering Committee for supporting the management of mass exodus of surrendering Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the State.
The meeting was co-chaired by Governor Zulum and Mr Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
The inaugural meetings provided a platform for key stakeholders, including key supporting partners in the UN system – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) – and local MDAs to discuss and adopt a draft terms of reference for the “One UN Offer Programme Board” which manages a dedicated fund for supporting the Borno State Mass Defection Programme.
Those at the meeting include Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and representatives of the European Union (UN), Germany, Switzerland and other donors nations and institutions.
According to a statement from the meeting, they reached an agreement on the broad principles, terms of reference and membership of the UN Board for supporting the Borno Model.
Participants also deliberated on the need for local ownership of the Mass Defection Programme, and welcomed the UN Peacebuilding Fund which provides resources to support the Borno Model.
The highlight of the meeting was the signing of the reconciled programme document by Governor Zulum and UN representative in the company of Minister of Budget and National Planning; the Chief of Defence Staff and other key stakeholders.
