…Meets Swiss, Japanese, UAE and Turkish Ambassadors
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, has engaged members of the diplomatic community in a high-level interactive session aimed at strengthening partnerships on peace, security, stabilization, and durable solutions to internal displacement.
The meeting, which brought together ambassadors of Switzerland, Japan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the UK Development Director and the Head of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), focused on advancing collaboration in line with the Yobe State Action Plan on Solutions to Internal Displacement (SOLID).
During the discussions, updates were shared on resettlement efforts, community recovery, reintegration of displaced persons, and the state’s strategic transition from humanitarian aid to sustainable and durable solutions. The meeting also highlighted economic recovery, with particular emphasis on agriculture and livestock development as critical sectors for employment generation, food security, and long-term investment.
Participants further deliberated on donor coordination mechanisms and engagement channels between the Yobe State Government and diplomatic missions to enhance support for durable solutions across the state.
Governor Buni commended the diplomatic community, describing them as reliable and committed partners in supporting Yobe State’s recovery and stabilization programmes.
“I am pleased to inform you that we have made remarkable progress in consolidating stability and recovery, with impressive growth in peace, resettlement, and access to basic services,” Governor Buni said.
He attributed these achievements to strong cooperation with development partners supporting the state’s programmes.
The Governor further noted that Yobe State is at the forefront of the durable solutions programme in Nigeria, recording the highest number of voluntary returns of displaced persons in the North-East. He explained that only Mallam Dunari community remains to be fully resettled.
In his remarks, the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Egloff, commended Governor Buni for his commitment to the resettlement and recovery of displaced communities. He expressed Switzerland’s readiness to partner with Yobe State, noting, “There is a true sense of commitment, and I would like to visit Yobe State to demonstrate our commitment to this partnership.”
Ambassador Egloff also encouraged Governor Buni to leverage his position as Chairman of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum to help other member states replicate the successes recorded in Yobe State.
The engagement reaffirmed Yobe State Government’s openness to international collaboration and its commitment to sustaining peace, accelerating recovery, and delivering durable solutions for displaced and affected communities across the state.
