Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, received the new Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Patrick Egloff, at the Government House in Maiduguri.
During the meeting, Governor Zulum expressed gratitude to the government of Switzerland for its humanitarian support, particularly the aid provided during the 2024 devastating floods that affected Maiduguri and surrounding local governments.
He however, emphasised the need to scale up funding and collaboration in key areas, specifically the importance of supporting victims of Boko Haram insurgency in rebuilding their livelihoods and mediation efforts.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I wish to extend our appreciation to the Swiss government for its intervention through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund for emergencies in the North East and the 2024 flood disaster,” Governor Zulum stated.
He added, “We look forward to working with you to see how funding can be increased in some critical areas, especially in supporting the victims of Boko Haram insurgency, and how we might collaborate in the field of mediation.”
Governor Zulum informed the Ambassador that the insurgency has been reduced by 90%, with more than 300,000 insurgents and their families having surrendered over the past four years.
“Borno State is now largely peaceful. Notwithstanding the intermittent attacks in some areas, most resettled communities have been able to cultivate their farmlands and their means of livelihood have significantly improved,” he said.
The Governor detailed the success of the locally developed ‘Borno Model’, which focuses on the demobilisation, deradicalisation, and reintegration of repentant insurgents. He requested Switzerland’s support in implementing the model to ensure its continued success.
In his remarks, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Egloff noted that Borno was the first state he had visited since assuming his post.
He commended Governor Zulum’s leadership qualities, describing it as citizen-focused and inspiring. “The leadership you provide is extremely important. Your style of governance, with its proximity to the citizens, is very much in line with European models,” Mr Egloff said.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development, Partnership, and Humanitarian Support, Dr. Mairo Mandara and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement, Engineer Ali Goni.
While the Ambassador was accompanied by the Senior Program Officer at the Swiss Embassy, Aline Burki, and Senior Program Advisor, Ahmed Abdullahi.
