By Abubakar Haruna Muhammad_ _9News Nigeria Northeast_MAIDUGURI –
Borno State is moving into a new phase of recovery with the launch of a €61 million United Nations Peacebuilding Fund Programme, as Germany pledged an additional €10 million to support peace and stabilization efforts in the state.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum announced the new funding at the close of the 4th UN Offer Board and Peacebuilding Fund Steering Committee meeting held at Government House, Maiduguri on Thursday.
He said the new two-year programme builds on the first phase, which was supported by Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and other partners.
The amount , €61m is equivalent to 99.12bn naira at the current market value of N1,600 per Euro, while €10m stands at 16bn naira.
“Another new phase of the UN offer has also been launched, amounting to about 61 million euro, which should be spent within the next two years,” Zulum said.
The governor noted that funds from the first phase were used for peacebuilding activities across Borno, and the results recorded informed the decision to expand the intervention.
Germany has already deposited about €10 million into the new basket fund.
Chargé d’Affaires of Germany to Nigeria, Johannes Lehne, confirmed the commitment during the meeting.
“We had a very successful meeting on the implementation of the Borno law model. Germany will commit another 10 million Euros to this endeavour for the next two years, and we hope under the leadership of the governor and the government of Nigeria this will be a big success and bring peace and prosperity to Borno State,” Lehne said.
Zulum said Borno State Government will also contribute to the fund to demonstrate ownership and ensure effective implementation.
He expressed optimism that the UK, Switzerland and other development partners would also make additional contributions.
The governor commended the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP, the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and other partners for their continued support.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, described the Borno model as a framework worth replicating nationwide and in other countries facing similar post-conflict challenges.
He said the model provides a unified funding mechanism and shared understanding between government, the UN and partners to address recovery needs in a coordinated way.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohammed Malick Fall, said the success of the programme depends on strong leadership and coordination.
“We cannot be successful unless we have the leadership and the vision we want, and this has been demonstrated by the Honorable Minister of Budget and Planning. It has been demonstrated almost on a day-to-day basis by His Excellency the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum,” Fall stated.
Zulum said sustained international partnership remains critical to rebuilding communities affected by insurgency and securing durable peace in Borno.
