We will develop Borno in six months — Shettima

We will develop Borno in six months — Shettima

Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima says despite the challenge pose by Boko Haram to the North-East, the state will  look different in next six months in terms of development.

Boko Haram has wreaked havoc in  Borno, Adamawa, Yobe  and  other  states  in the North since 2009, with  over 20,000 reportedly killed by the activities of the sect.

At the Summit for the Security and Development of Northern Nigeria, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna on Tuesday, the governor  said his administration was committed to rebuilding the state,   in spite of the security challenges.

He argued that the current spate of suicide bombings by the sect was an indication that the terrorists  had been decimated.

He said the sect  had been weakened by the superior fire power of the Nigerian military.

“They are feeling the attacks by government forces more and they are becoming weaker,” Shettima said.

The governor told the gathering that  though there could  be no development without peace, his administration was set to invest  “in girl-child education, job creation for the teeming youths and women empowerment to set an agenda of progress and development for the state that has been battling terrorism since 2009”.

Shettima said, “In spite of the crisis, between six months and one year there will be a massive development in Borno state with emphasis on gender empowerment, girl child education and employment generation for our teeming youths.

“We need to invest in education, create job opportunities for the teeming youths and ensure gender empowerment for our women.

“We will definitely overcome the challenges of Boko Haram we have gone over the rubicon, we now want to tow the path of growth and development.”

(PUNCH)