By: Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The North-East Governors’ Forum has raised N15.8 billion for the establishment of a regional airline to boost economic connectivity and transportation in the zone.
Chairman of the Forum and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, disclosed this at the opening of the 13th meeting of the forum in Maiduguri.
Zulum said he was optimistic that other member states would make additional contributions before the end of the year for the take-off of the project and urged sustained collaboration to make it a reality.
He said improved connectivity remains a key pillar for the development of the North-East.
The Forum, according to Zulum, also agreed to generate 10 megawatts of solar power in each state, while a committee of experts is working on an integrated power plant to provide sustainable electricity for the region.
He said the region must invest in quality education, vocational skills, entrepreneurship, digital technology and job creation to give young people legitimate opportunities to build meaningful lives.
The meeting was attended by the governors of Borno, Adamawa and Gombe, and the deputy governors of Bauchi and Yobe.
