Habu Kale Tijjani
Aug 22, 2017 · 4 min read

Maiduguri Is Peaceful And Full Of Life:The Wrong Perception Towards Maiduguri Must Change

Most often whenever people have something to do in Maiduguri or Borno state mostly feel very apprehensive and caught at the cross - road in making their decision - to go or not to go. This mostly affects people who have never been to Maiduguri before.

Of course one can never deny the fact that Borno was the epicentre of the insurgency that ravaged Northeast - Nigeria and it was a dangerous place for one to live. But, things have really changed. It's changed so drastically that Maiduguri is now a very peaceful place to live in.

"I thought I’d meet Maiduguri full of Sand and very few trees, but surprisingly reverse is the case. It is lively and beautiful says Amina Garuba a Fellow of The North East Intellectual Entrepreneurship Fellowship - NEIEF who was in Maiduguri alongside other Neieffellows for a capacity building on Gender and social inclusion in public policy and the principles and practice of mainstreaming peace and conflict resolution by Global Rights

Unfortunately she’s not seen even a glimpse of Maiduguri, because the Hotel the Neieffellows are residing in, is just a kilometers away from the Airport. Had it been the other Hotel is in other part of the city was used, they (Neieffellows) would have seen how beautiful, peaceful and beautiful Maiduguri is.

Another Fellow was surprised at the new level of infrastructural development that is going on. " so it seems it is all Media propaganda?" He asked rhetorically. "Look at how calm and peaceful Maiduguri is. When I said I was going to Maiduguri, all my Family and friends were not happy. Someone said do you want to go and die? How can a place without peace have the time to embark on such gigantic projects? The no doubt all the reports we're hearing is pure propaganda" He concluded.

I’ve to explain him the projects he’s referring to is only a tip of the Icebag ( some Mega Schools of built by the administration of Governor Kashim Shettima as part of rebuilding and reintegration and countering violent extremism in the bud through the eradication of illegally)

from left to right; Noa, Minta, Lady Diana, Habu and Chabiyada

Susan Myada also a Neieffellow said "I'm surprised how peaceful and beautiful is Maiduguri, people should know that the place is safe and a place to be"

In the past, when the insurgency was at its worse, most part of the city was not go area. This is either it was full of the insurgents that any stranger is at the risk of be labelled a security agent and at risk being harmed, kidnapped or being killed. Some parts on the other hand may be a risk to the stranger of either being accused of being an insurgent and risked being arrested or stigmatized.

Since the emergence of the civilian joint task force CJTF in 2013, who fish out any person or element related to the insurgents and handed them over to the Men of the Nigerian Armed forces. Any one that had any kind of shady affair with any known member of the insurgents was outrightly brought to the attention of the CJTF and was made to undergo rigorous investigation. There were times he was made to swear by the holy Qur'an ( Muslims Holy Book that all strongly believe) that he has nothing to do with them.

Hence, there's no any doubt that Boko Haram have been chased out of Maiduguri. No any Member of Boko Haram member inside Maiduguri. I cannot disagree that, there are still some elements of the Fighters in the capital, but they are not in any position to harm any one. Although they're the source of the information to the fighters in the run.

One will argue that, there are many Bomb blasts and attacks in Borno or Maiduguri, BUT none is inside Maiduguri. It mostly occurs in the outskirts of the city. Yes, it does affect the life of people, BUT surely it'll never pose a danger to any stranger.

People should know that, right now Maiduguri is very safe. Life is back and business is at its full strength. Investors should know that it is safe to invest in the state. And every one should cast aside the negative thought on our dear state so that #NotAnotherNigerian will be left out in contributing toward the rebuilding, reconstructing and Resettling of Borno, Northeast and Nigeria at large.

For Further Information and contributions please follow us NEIEF FELLOWS on the follow platforms

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Habu Kale Tijjani

Written by

I am a proud @Neieffellow and I am excited that we have united to say #NotAnotherNigerian I'm simple, straight forward but a shy Person and a Blogger

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