The Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, has said that the “madness” occasioned by the activities of radical sect, Boko Haram in the state would “evaporate” once the youths are gainfully engaged.
Mr Shettima, who spoke on Tuesday at the signing of tripartite agreement for the establishment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) in three geo-political zones, including the North-east, North-central and South-south zones, said he believed the insecurity and hardship in the state would be a thing of the past once it was able to create jobs and engage the youths.
The governor said, “We are going to partner with the CBN to see to the realisation of this very noble and lofty initiative of the central bank towards ameliorating poverty and creating employment opportunities in the northeast sub-region of the country.
“We are not going to disappoint you; we would fulfil our own part of the bargain of the EDC and create the enabling environment for the EDC in the North-east sub-region,” he assured.
“Believe me, beneath the mayhem of Boko Haram, beneath the madness, lies extreme poverty and joblessness and hopelessness of the people. Once we create jobs, once we engage the youths, believe me, this madness will evaporate,” the governor stated.
He said he believed the issue of Boko Haram would be a thing of the past within the next two years.
