By Hassan Umar Shallpella (Regional Correspondent)
The Borno State Ministry of Local Government and Emirate Affairs has pledged the full commitment of the Ministry to support the processes that would lead to the successful implementation of the Transitional Justice Project flagged off by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with the support of the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2021.
Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Tahiru Shettima, disclosed this while receiving the project team in his office in Maiduguri, and said the cardinal philosophy of his ministry is openness, partnership, and commitment to move the state forward.
“We are open to partners who are willing to help salvage our situation, as such, we will give you a hundred percent support in the implementation of your Project.
“Human rights are part of human existence and no society thrives where the rights of people are not respected, when the insurgents begin to surrender, the government realized the need to use the best approach to achieve the desired goal of bringing lasting peace to the region, where those surrendering and those already living in the communities will find a common ground to co-exist. “Human rights must not be violated to achieve this.
“What happens when they surrender? They come back to their communities and it is naturally difficult for people to accept them back into these communities; it also becomes very difficult to encourage them to live among the people who had committed some grave human rights violations, this is where you come in,” he emphasized.
“Your project will no doubt educate people and encourage them to embrace peace and reconciliation especially when crucial stakeholders like traditional rulers, imam, and clergymen are carried along, we will therefore support you more than ever before as this will not only encourage peace, it will also ensure sustainable development in Borno State,” he said.
In a similar development, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), Executive Secretary of NHRC has lamented the destruction caused by a decade of insurgency in North East Nigeria saying the people cannot continue the war forever.
He was speaking in Maiduguri, during the second meeting of the Borno State Project Advisory Committee (SPAC) on Promoting Reconciliation, Reintegration, and Transitional Justice in some parts of the North East.
“A lot of havoc has been caused by Boko Haram insurgency to the affected states and communities, and the commission through its Project on Promoting Reconciliation, Reintegration, and Transitional Justice in the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, which is supported by the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has begun to lay a foundation for a sustainable, peaceful and developed society where consideration will be given to the victims and the communities, and not undermining the necessity for justice with regards to the perpetrators.
“Although the road to reconciliation is long, tough, and rough, the fact remains that it is only through true reconciliation that we can move the country forward. Therefore, we need to have a sense of justice and restitution, this may not come in terms of cash, but our readiness to put the wounds and pains behind us, in the interest of the nation and a great future is very important for our society,” he said.
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