Kehinde Fajobi
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday called for a multifaceted approach to tackle terrorism, insurgency, and other security threats in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Speaking at the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Tinubu stressed the need for military power to be complemented by addressing the region’s socio-economic issues, including poverty, inequality, and limited opportunities for youth.
The forum, hosted by Yobe State, brings together governors from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and the Republic of Niger, as well as humanitarian organisations, to discuss security challenges and solutions for regional stability.
Tinubu acknowledged that while military force is vital to counter security threats, it must be paired with strategies that address their underlying causes.
“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our response to these threats must be multifaceted.
“While military solutions are indispensable, they must be complemented by strategies that address the root causes of insecurity – poverty, inequality, and the lack of opportunities for our youth,” Tinubu said.
He expressed concern over Africa’s youth, who often become vulnerable to destructive ideologies, stating, “It is a tragic irony that Africa, a continent with the youngest population in the world, sees its youth become cannon fodder for destructive ideologies and the drivers of conflict.”
The President emphasised the importance of “soft power,” such as diplomacy and cultural cooperation, in building regional unity.
He also pointed out that global military spending had reached $2.4 trillion in 2023, without significant signs of decreasing.
“Hard power, detached from the moral imperatives of justice and diplomacy, only widens the very divide it seeks to bridge,” he noted.
Tinubu called on the forum members to stay focused on their original mission and build partnerships for the collective benefit of the region, including supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed that the decisions made today would shape the region’s future.
He praised the collaborative efforts of member countries in repelling terrorist threats but warned against allowing global geopolitical tensions to interfere with regional cooperation. “The salvation of the Lake Chad region is neither in Europe nor in the Americas. It lies in the hands of all those gathered here today,” Tinubu said.
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, the host state, highlighted the forum’s role in fostering dialogue and collaboration across the region. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in overcoming regional challenges, while Governor Umaru Fintri of Adamawa noted the environmental decline of Lake Chad, which has shrunk by 90% in six years due to climate change and population growth.
Amb. Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, reiterated the forum’s commitment to addressing the region’s challenges, while Ms. Cynthia Rowe, Development Director at the British High Commission, pledged continued support from international partners to achieve the forum’s objectives.