Zulum Decorated With Society For Peace Studies Fellowship, Lauded For Post-Conflict Reconstruction

The Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) awarded Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, a fellowship on Monday in recognition of his contributions to peacebuilding and development in the state.

Governor Zulum received the honour from SPSP President Nathaniel Awuapila at the ceremony, which was held at the Government House in Maiduguri. Professor Isaac Albert, representing the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, assisted him.

Governor Zulum, who is already a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Architects, expressed gratitude for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to working with the SPSP to achieve long-term peace and development in Borno State.

He emphasised the effectiveness of his government’s non-kinetic measures, citing the surrender of over 200,000 repentant insurgents and their families.

The event was attended by key state officials such as Dr. Bukar Tijani, Secretary to the Borno State Government, and members of the Borno State Executive Council.

Professor Jude Momodu, SPSP Vice President, and Dr. Lanre Yusuf, Secretary General, were also in attendance.

The SPSP’s trip to Maiduguri was not solely for the fellowship award. President Awuapila announced plans to commission a study to investigate the positive impact of Governor Zulum’s leadership, particularly in post-conflict reconstruction and peacekeeping.

He described Zulum as a “model” for post-conflict societies in the Sahel region, citing the state government’s significant infrastructural development and peace efforts.

Professor Albert echoed these sentiments, praising the governor’s commendable projects and stating that the SPSP’s award was as much a recognition of Governor Zulum’s accomplishments as it was an honour for the society to be associated with them.

He emphasised that society had personally witnessed the effects of these projects.

The study’s goal will be to analyse the success of Zulum’s strategies and potentially provide a model for other regions facing similar challenges.