Amisdt challenges with the Boko Haram insurgency, countries from the west have shown more concern for the sad state of Borno people than rich arab nations whose people share similarity of religion and culture with majority of Borno citizens, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has said.
Zulum declared this on Tuesday in Maiduguri when he accepted the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria Saleh Fheied Saleh in Maiduguri.
Zulum appreciated the Palestine for being one of the few exceptions, within the arab community.
“I am a empirical person. I work with the physical existence I see on ground. Amidst our confrontations over the years, we have received humanitarian prop up from the UK and other parts of Europe, the United States, Canada, from Japan and a host of others who have showed concern and have made efforts to support our traumatized citizens in many ways especially on food, medicals and livelihoods. However, that state of concern never came from Arab countries with whom millions of Borno people share similarity in religion and culture. We even have aboriginal shuwa arabs in Borno and this shows how our histories are tied. We have made severe efforts, writtens and visitations to embassies of Arab countries, especially those that are waelthy and not dealing with crises, but pellucidly most of the Arabs do not care about our situation, neither do they support us. The Arabs have not shown concern to us. Your visit however, has renewed our hope especially and we are very grateful for your visit” Zulum said.
The Palestinian ambassador had informed Zulum that of plan to support the Government of Borno State in some areas of need.
“There are a lot of Palestinian companies in Nigeria, they are willing to work with the Borno State Government, we are ready to cooperate with you, we are ready to help in anything you want us to do that we can do” Amb Saleh said.
The Ambassador also said many Nigerians are currently residing in Palestine, particularly Borno citizens , some of whom have sincerely served the government and people of Palestine. He cited that among Borno people in Palestine, a lady whose name is Fatima Barnawi was once a minister and a police chief.
