Guterres Wants Borno’s Humanitarian Model Adopted by UN

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has expressed his desire for the UN to adopt Borno State’s successful humanitarian model.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, in Geneva, Switzerland, for discussions over the resettlement of internally displaced persons and their livelihoods.

According to a statement yesterday by the Borno State Government House Press Unit, the meeting, which was held on Thursday, focused on “IDP solutions plans” with specifics on “Government leadership, community-driven approach, and voluntary return, relocation, and integration.”
The statement revealed that as part of the meeting, Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres expressed his desire for the UN to adopt Borno State’s successful humanitarian model.

Guterres’ statement was made at a meeting hosted by the Centre International De Conference (CICH) and the Office of the Special Adviser, William Chemaly.
The Borno Model is a non-kinetic approach aimed at handling counter-insurgency efforts and addressing humanitarian crises for over one decade, the statement said.

Zulum, at the meeting, highlighted the successes achieved in Borno State through the implementation of his administration’s novel approach to the humanitarian situation tagged “Borno Model”.
Zulum had previously attended a breakfast Strategic Country Update on North-east, which was organised and hosted by the famous Graduate Institute, University of Geneva.

The governor engaged over 20 academics, humanitarian, peace, security, and development actors, think tanks, and researchers analysing Borno’s practical experiences on the Boko Haram crisis and how the non-kinetic approach yields results.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Yahya, also spoke with the Nigerian Ambassador to Geneva making a presentation on Nigeria’s stand.
Zulum also attended meetings at the UN Palais hosted by Raouf Mazou, the Assistant High Commissioner Operations at the United Nations High Commission on Refugees.

The governor, according to the statement, was accompanied on the trip by Borno’s focal person for the World Bank’s Multisectoral Recovery and Peace Building Project (MCRP), Babazanna Abdulkarim, Principal Secretary at the Governor’s Office, Mustapha Busuguma and the Governor’s high-level associate on Sustainable Development Partnership and Humanitarian Support, Dr. Mairo Mandara