Northern Governors Say Boko Haram To End In Three Months

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) on Saturday said all elements

of the Boko Haram terrorists group would be stamped out within three

months.
Gov. Babangida Aliyu, Chairman of the forum, said this in an address at a

joint Northern States Governors/United States investors' summit held in

Abuja.
“Contrary to insinuations that leaders in the region failed to openly

condemn the rascality of the terrorists, we have instead worked subtly to

see to the end of the insurgents.
“The coming of the United States' army to rescue the abducted Chibok

school girls was as a result of the meeting the northern governors held

with the American Government.
“The 19 governors that make up this forum would continue to condemn the

invasion of the north and we are happy with the Federal Government.

“The group is equally happy with United States, Britain, France, China and

Canada which have offered support to tackle the insurgents,'' he said.

Meanwhile, a communiqué issued at the end of the summit, said the summit

was organised to accelerate the socioeconomic development of the north and

the country as a whole.
It said that, the symposium organised by the United States Institute of

Peace (USIP) and NSGF between March 17 and March 19 in Washington laid the

foundation for the summit and partnership with investors.

The communiqué, which was signed Gov. Aliyu, said strengthening relations

between the entire northern governors through the summit was the right

recipe for the development of the area.
“The summit addresses the issues of concern to the people of the region,

and particularly the challenges faced by some states presently plagued by

poverty, youth unemployment and insurgency.
“It seeks to act as vehicle through which the NSGF attracts partnership

with the international investment community and aid agencies to assist in

rebuilding, reconstructing and rehabilitating the north,'' it said.

According to the communiqué, the courage and confidence reposed in the

region in the face of enormous insecurity challenges in the country was

well-known.
It said the summit would complement the gains of the just concluded World

Economic Forum (WEF) for Africa and the far-reaching initiatives of the

Federal Government to develop the country.
It, called on all investors to have confidence in the opportunities that

abound in the region, adding that the deficit found in region should be a

motivating factor to invest.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was organised by

NSGF in conjunction with the Nigerian Embassy in Washington.

General Electric (GE), Brambles, USAID, Milhouse Engineering, Manchester

Trade, World Bank, Blumber Grains and African World Export were some of

the companies that attended the summit.
All the 19 governors made presentations highlighting areas of respective

states' potentials and available opportunities for investors to note.

(NAN)