Returning to this subject of regional development programmes, I believe the North East Governors Forum should actually be compelled to come up with a plan that looks like this

Ayo Akinfe

[1] For starters, they should launch a public works programme that involves getting millions of youths across the geo-political zone to participate in a tree-painting programme. They should plant rows of trees along the country’s borders with Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic to actually tell us where Nigeria starts.

[2] In Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, the governments need to offer free uniforms and school meals to all youths to encourage education.

[3] Given the abundance of wildlife in the area and the potential for huge parks and reserves, the training of wildlife rangers, veterinary doctors and animal specialists should be stepped up

[4] At least four mega cattle ranches should be built in the geo-political zone. Given that Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Bauchi are among the six largest states in Nigeria, they should be home to purpose-built ranching towns

[5] Under a United Nations programme, we then need to get the Lake Chad Basin Authority to create 30,000 jobs in the northeast. This will be achieved by turning the lake into a major tourist attraction similar to say Niagra Falls, building a mega solar farm in Borno State and also opening the world’s largest cattle ranch in Sambisa Forest

[6] Our federal government then needs to build six special high security prisons for Boko Haram fighters across the geo-political zone where they can be trained and equipped with vocational skills

[7] Nigeria then needs to ask its military partners like the US, UK, Germany, France, Russia, etc to help her establish a special paramilitary force which will be trained in rescue missions to deal with matters like the Chibok girls. We need a battalion similar to the US Navy Seals or the British SAS. It should be based in Maiduguri

[8] Our federal government then needs to establish a special anti-terrorist brigade in say Damaturu. No armed group should be able to hold the country to ransom as herdsmen, kidnappers and bandits are currently doing

[9] President Tinubu should then double soldiers allowances and offer a special bonus to anyone asked to serve in the northeast

[10] President Tinubu should designate Taraba State as an ecological national park. We should aim to make it the world’s largest wildlife zone bigger than the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara

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