Once again, residents in Borno State have witnessed an independent anniversary celebrations, twelve years after insecurity forced the government to cancel Independence Day celebrations.
The Borno State Government held the 62 years Independent Anniversary celebration at the Ramat Square Maiduguri with fanfare, and parades to the delight of citizens.
The Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum tagged the event as historic.
He said ” “my dear compatriots, today, is another threshold in the history of our great country, Nigeria, as we converged here this morning to commemorate the 62nd Independence Anniversary of our nationhood. I believe this occasion is worthy of celebration by all well-meaning Nigerians home and abroad.”
Zulum who spoke through his Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur Zulum said ” regrettably, this auspicious occasion could not hold in Borno State for quite sometimes, due to the peculiar security challenges bedevilling the State. Notwithstanding, today’s celebration is indicative that peace is gradually returning to the State and the country at large, as a result of the successes recorded by the gallant troops of the Nigerian Military and other sister security agencies which steered the State Government to closed down all IDP camps in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local GovernmentArea as well as voluntary resettlement of many communities across the State,” .
” They sacrificed their personal comfort, energy, time and wealth for the country to be independent, united and indivisible entity. As such, we shall not allow these sacrifices to be in vain. It is evident that the administration,” he added.
He said ” on this day and in the spirit of rededication,.we renew.our. commitment to confronting the challenges of critical infrastructure destroyed by the decade long.Boko.Haram insurgency and explore avenues to create job opportunities to our teeming unemployed youths thereby minimizing the upsurge of social vices in the society.”
“We remain confident that with the massive investments we have made in the last three years in the expansion and strengthening of our resettlement
and recovery effort, we shall succeed in our commitment to provide the dividend of democracy on a sustainable basis and attainment of our Policy Thrust.
We have a duty to improve on job creation, access to education, healthcare delivery services, security, portable water supply for both human and animal consumptions, among others. We can do these only in a climate of peace and security”, the governor further said.
