By Abdulkareem Haruna

MAIDUGURI – The North East Development Commission (NEDC) is collaborating with the University of Maiduguri and other stakeholders to establish a Boko Haram museum, according to NEDC Managing Director Mohammed Alkali.

The announcement was made during the International Day of Peace 2023 commemoration held at the Elkanemi Hall, University of Maiduguri.

Alkali, who was honored with a Peace Ambassador Award at the event, explained that the museum’s purpose is to present the history of the Boko Haram insurgency in a way that promotes social change. The museum will preserve relics and literature to educate future generations about the impact of war on the region and the country.

“We are in discussions with the university and other stakeholders to determine how best to establish the museum,” Alkali said.

“The goal is to allow stakeholders to present the narratives in a positive light, helping future generations understand the consequences of war.”

The NEDC is committed to supporting any initiatives within its mandate to combat violent extremism in the region, Alkali added. He mentioned that he had seen some artifacts on display and expressed interest in supporting worthy projects.

Ahmed Shehu, president of the Peace Ambassadors Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment, noted that some of the innovations on display were created by children who had not attended school. He praised the NEDC for its timely support of young talent and presented the Peace Ambassador Award to Alkali.

“A few years ago, one of these talented children created a solar-powered machine. Today, his company is a strong competitor in Nigeria’s manufacturing industry,” Shehu said.