By: Babagana Bukar Wakil Ngala, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday met minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to conclude intergovernmental efforts for voluntary repatriation of thousands of Borno citizens currently taking refuge in parts of Cameroon, after fleeing from Boko Haram attacks in the last six years.
The meeting which was held at the federal ministry of foreign affairs in Abuja, was a follow up to Zulums series of meetings with minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, top executives of the National commission for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, among and other stakeholders.
The meeting was attended by Nigerias serving Ambassador to China, Ambassador Baba Ahmad Jidda, who was there as a statesman from Borno state.
More than 60,000 Nigerian refugees majority from Borno and some from Adamawa states are believed to be in Minwao camp in Cameroon, which Zulum had visited and supported with social protection relief.
The governor has also approved the ongoing construction of thousands of houses in which repatriated refugees will be permanently resettled in safe communities.
