By Frank Irad
The Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum reaffirmed its commitment to advancing stabilization, recovery, and resilience in the region.
The Forum made this declaration at the end of its regional meeting which had in attendance Governors from countries bordering the Lake Chad Basin was held in Maiduguri, Norno State from the 29thto31stJanuary, 2025.
The Forum in 13 point Communiqué after the meeting agreed to ensure that member states strengthen strategic support to, and operational capacity of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and/or invest in transborder security and also agreedt to ensure that member states effectively occupy the Lake Chad Islands as a means of strengthening transboundary security, with a focus on securing and controlling the waterways as well as ensure that.remnant of all Non-State Armed Groups are completely neutralized in all the member states.
They are also to intensify efforts to combat illicit trade of arms, and illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse, especially among youth abd in addition scale up climate resilient initiatives and environmental protection efforts to support the rehabilitation of the Lake Chad Basin ecosystems and biodiversity.
The three days meeting with the theme “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, security, and sustainable development for a resilient community through strengthening collaboration with traditional rulers, especially in facilitating reconciliation and reintegration processes.
The forum in the communique also identify the need to strengthen women and youth engagement in stabilization, recovery, and resilience initiatives, ensuring their needs and priorities are effectively addressed.
The regional group spoke on the need to enhance the role of civil society and traditional authorities in designing, implementing, and monitoring regional stabilization, recovery, and resilience efforts through working with the LCBC on advocacy and fundraising with partners and donors towards continuation of stabilization activities in Niger.
Other things the forum agreed to undertake include facilitating the establishment of “Free trade Zones” in the Lake Chad region as a means of promoting cross-border trade and economic connectivity as well as invest in the construction and /or rehabilitation of cross-border roads as a means of promoting transboundary trade and strengthening security.
It agreed also on uppdating and facilitating implementation of the Territorial Action Plans (TAPs) to align with the adjusted RS SRR and strengthen resource mobilization efforts through the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF), and other regional funding initiatives to drive impactful and sustained progress.
The LCB Governors’ Forum used the medium to express appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the host Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state and the people of Nigeria for their hospitality.
Also appreciated the Governor of Hadjer-Lamis, Ildjima Abdraman for her leadership and commitment in steering the LCB Governors Forum between 2023 and 2024 and commended the acceptance of the chairmanship of the LCB Governors’ Forum by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.
The LCB Governors’ Forum and the LCBC further acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the technical and financial support from the Yobe State Government, the AUC, the UNDP and the ISG, and other immeasurable support from Borno state Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the organization of the 5th Edition of the LCB Governors forum, and as well
Flexpressed its appreciation to all participants, including representatives of civil society, traditional and religious rulers, the UN system, academia, media and partner organizations, the ISG and European Union, for their participation and engagement during the meeting.
The LCB Governors forum agreed that the next meeting of the LCB Governors’ Forum shall take place next year, 2026, in the Republic of Niger.
The meeting was declared open by Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima had the participation of the Governors from the Far North region of Cameroon, the Hadjer-Lamis and Lac provinces of Chad, Diffa region of Niger, as well as the governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States of Nigeria. Also present were representatives of member states, the AUC, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, the media, embassies, technical and financial partners, including from the United Nations system, International Support Group (ISG), and International Financial Institutions (IFIs).(www.krestnews.com).