Mohammed Mustapha Malik Faal, the new United Nations Resident Representative to Nigeria has paid a familiarization visit to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State.
Malik told Gov. Zulum that his visit is also to reiterate, strongly, the UN’s commitment to continue to support and cooperate with the government of Borno over peace restoration and development of communities affected by the crisis in the state.
‘My own is a responsibility to come and bring my contribution, not only me but the entire UN system. I want you to believe that we are here only for one thing: to understand where you want to go, read where you want to go and be behind you, be behind your back and make sure that every single step you make on the way towards improving the lives of the people of Borno, you will have us next to you in that journey.
‘Every initiative you implement or undertake, you can count 100% on my support and the support of the entire UN team,’ Malik said.
‘Even though we still have some challenges, when I look at where it was in 2015 and 2016 compared to where we are today in terms of access, in terms of population that can benefit from the services of the executive and the government, in terms of people whose well-being has been improved, in terms of services that are provided to people who need it so much, I can say that it has been a very long journey that has been made,’ Mr Malik added.
He said this while commending the effort of Gov. Zulum and his team for the steps they had taken which improved the lives of the Borno people.
‘Your Excellency, I want to commend you and your team for those steps that have been taken,’ he added.
In his remarks, Gov. Zulum expressed gratitude to Mr Malik and his entourage for the visit.
He said Mr. Malik contributed immensely to the development of entire North East especially Borno when he was the UNICEF country representative between 2016 and 2019.
Briefing him on government project concerning internally displaced persons, he said his administration is committed to resettling IDP to their ancestral home or to a safer place to source their livelihood by themselves.
‘During our campaign, we promised to the IDPs that we would do everything possible to resettle them back to their ancestral homes in a dignified manner,’ Gov.Zulum said.
He also assured his commitment to collaborate with the UN and to ensure that humanitarian and developmental services are rendered concurrently for the people of the state.
