Townhall Advocates Attitudinal Change, Social Reorientation For Sustainable Peace, Development in Postinsurgency Borno

By Abdulkareem Haruna

The maiden Zonal Town Hall meeting for Social Reorientation in Borno State concluded with a powerful communique that has set the tone for a significant socio-cultural transformation.

The meeting, which was held at the Conference Hall of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri, on Monday, December 4, 2023, was attended by key stakeholders from the Borno Central Senatorial District.

The communique, adopted unanimously by the participants, called for a change of attitude among Borno people towards a return to traditional virtues of discipline, respect, dignity, tolerance, industry, creativity, and self-sustenance.

It further urged the Borno State Government to invest in not only infrastructural development but also in the creation of a social fabric that will reinforce the State Government’s drive towards establishing an agricultural and industrial base, and a self-sufficient and export-oriented economy in Borno State.

The Townhall attended by over 200 carefully selected participants that represents all the strata of state’s members, was a hub of constructive dialogue and collaboration, aimed at fast-tracking the Borno Restoration Project.

Discussions at the event, ably facilitated by Ambassador Ahmed Shehu, of PACHE revolved
around how to restore the pride in Borno’s values and resuscitate the age-old honour, dignity, and prosperity of the state through attitudinal change.

The Executive Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Information & Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, highlighted the Borno State Government’s commitment to reviving the state’s values, morals, and dignity.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Mairo Mandara, a Chief Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized the importance of a new culture of peace and prosperity emerging from the aftermath of extreme violence.

Dr. Hassan Zanna Boguma, in his lead paper, underscored the importance of cultural identity and inclusivity in governance.

The panel session, themed “Rewriting the Narratives Through Social Reorientation,” enabled a rich discussion that dug up numerous ideas and recommendations for the social reorientation program in Borno State.

Significantly, officials from the NDLEA proposed mandatory medical certification for drug tests for young people aspiring to marry as a potential strategy to combat the rising drug abuse in the state. The NDLEA representative argued that drug abuse has been a major catalyst for crimes and extremism in the state. It was emphasized that addressing drug abuse directly could potentially reduce youthful crimes by 70 percent.

The event attracted a diverse group of attendees, including government officials, security agencies, academics, media organizations, civil society organizations, religious bodies, and community leaders.

The town hall meeting of the Borno State Social Reorientation Programme is part of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s efforts to enhance Human Capital Development, which is one of the main focus of Borno State’s 25-year Development Framework and 10-year Strategic Transformation Plan.

This town hall meeting, according to Dr Mandara, is a key component of the government’s broader initiative to encourage important discussions about restoring the state’s fundamental values and cultural identity following the over a decade insurgency.