Gov. Buni’s Visit To Nigerian Refugees, A Hope Rekindled

Tuesday 18th August, 2026: A Call To Duty.

The flight from Abuja to N’djamena for the Chairman of the Lake Chad Governors’ forum and Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN on Tuesday 18th, August 2026, was a call to a noble mission toward a greater humanity.

The flight was generally smooth, except for a few turbulences from the thick cloud deposits that dotted the sky. The adage, let your dreams take flight, got a practical boost by that mission bound flight.

Governor Buni was in Chad alongside his Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alh. Abdullahi Yusuf Gashu’a; Special Adviser on Security Affairs, Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd); Honourary Special Adviser on Policy Delivery, Dr. Kole Shettima; Honourary Special Adviser on Lake Chad Governors’ Forum and International Investment, Dr. Said Alkali Kori; Special Adviser on Food Security, Dr. Muhammed Babagana; Permanent Secretary Liaison Services, Mohammad Ismail; Permanent Secretary/Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Alh. Liman Ibrahim, Project Coordinator,  Yobe State Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID), Suleiman Dauda and other government functionaries. As they say, you are the sum of the people you surround yourself with.

The visit was to discuss with the new Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, on the successes and challenges of the Maiduguri declaration, the operations of the MultiNational Joint Task Force and indeed, the condition of Nigerian refugees in Chad.

It was a short drive from the airport to the Headquarters of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in N’djamena. Governor Buni, started his address by appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment and contributions to the regional peace, security, stability and cooperation among the member states of the Lake Chad Basin, comprising Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic, and regretted the withdrawal of Niger Republic.

Buni said “Your support to the multilateral cooperation, the Multinational Joint Task Force and regional stabilization efforts, remain vital to our collective pursuit of lasting peace and shared prosperity.”

“The regional cooperation was necessary because insecurity, climate pressure, and economic vulnerability in one member state is a threat to all member states. Our response must therefore be rooted in solidarity, coordination and collective action. The task before the Forum and the Commission remains substantial, as the people are looking beyond declarations and commitments.

“They rightly expect tangible improvements in security, livelihoods, public services and opportunities for their children. In this regard, implementation of the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery and Resilience (RSSRR) 2.0—together with the Territorial Action Plans, must remain central to our collective efforts. These frameworks provide a vital bridge between our regional aspirations and the daily realities of communities affected by conflict.”

Buni appealed to his colleagues, governors of the member states to mobilise the political will, institutional capacity and resources required towards definitive and efficient implementation of the Maiduguri declaration.

“Our experience has shown that stabilisation becomes sustainable when communities are not merely beneficiaries but genuine partners; when recovery restores livelihoods alongside infrastructure; and when security gains are consolidated through functioning institutions, inclusive governance and economic opportunities.”

“We must also recognize that the security environment remains dynamic. While significant gains have been recorded, evolving threats require continued vigilance, timely intelligence sharing, and stronger coordination among political authorities, security institutions, and communities,” the Forum Chairman explained.

At the MultiNational Joint Task Force headquarters, the force Commander, Maj. Gen. ST Audu, briefed the chairman on the operations of the taskforce in the Lake Chad Basin, the successes, challenges, short and long term plans to improve security, stability and economic growth in the region.

Buni said although he had earlier briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the challenges he received from a privileged position, these emerging and hope inspiring details will as well upon his return to Nigeria,  be presented to Mr President.

A Helicopter Flight To Remember, August 19, 2026

On Wednesday, day two of Gov. Buni’s visit to Chad, the clouds were gathering across N’djamena, pregnant with a pending rainfall and windstorm,  an obvious  challenge to flight operations. However,  Buni remained undeterred and passionate for the visit to see the Nigerian refugees on the Islands.

As the Governor’s convoy arrived at the Military wing of the N’djamena international airport, an aged helicopter, parked at the far end of the airport was patiently waiting, staring at its passengers disembarking from the vehicles. The faded white painted  helicopter portrays an overused status of a machine that was once credible for air missions, but probably written off from flying and now discarded. Alas, the helicopter was not only still in use, but to be used for the Governor’s trip from N’djamena to Bol, and all the way back to N’djamena.

Suddenly, a humming rumble erupted. Some are still doubting and discussing the reliability of the helicopter. But before you knew it, Governor Buni had  jumped up to the stairs of the helicopter holding on to a rope tied to the staircase, and was soon seated. Left with no alternative, everyone followed suit and boarded the helicopter and ready for the flight.

Inside the hot chopper, there was nothing close to comfort. Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd), Special Adviser on Security Affairs, was quick to inform the delegation that the helicopter was an operational chopper that does not carry any comfort. Members should be prepared to face the operational condition and risks.

As the helicopter took off for the 45 minutes flight from N’djamena to Bol, capital of Lac province, the noise from the blazing blades and the creaking “face me, l face you” seats, made it impossible for the passengers to hear each other.  Some engaged in silent prayers, while others peep through the windows to catch a glimpse of the beauty of the wilderness.

Arriving Bol

Arriving at Bol, capital of Lac Province, the Governor of the province, Gen. Saleh Tidjani, was spot on to receive Governor Buni and his delegation. The host was visibly elated, saying, “we are highly appreciative of this historic visit to Lac province.”

At the Government House, Gen. Saleh said the visit was a demonstration of great love and concern to the people of Lac Province, the Refugees and other Nigerians resident in the province. “This visit has given every Nigerian in the province a sense of belonging, and assurance that they have not been forgotten.”

He added “this visit is an honor to the government and people of the province. The collaboration and peaceful co-existence among the member states should be deepened to strengthen security and stability in the region, and your coordination as chairman of the Governor’s forum gives us a sense of direction and duty to ensure peace and stability in the basin,” Tidjani emphasized.

Responding, Gov. Buni commended the Chadian government and people for accommodating Nigerians at a challenging moment occasioned by displacements induced by insecurity concerns. He advocated for peaceful coexistence among the refugees and the host communities saying, “We must strive to promote and sustain sustainable security and peaceful co-existence among the sister-states in the region.”

Buni assured that the Governors’ Forum will intensify efforts towards opening more water ways to enhance transportation for security operations and transportation of goods and services. “Our goals as set out in the Maiduguri meeting would be pursued with vigour to boost security operations, sustainable means of livelihood to  improve regional security and stability.”

The Rough, Rowdy Drive To Kaya

The drive across the sand dunes from Bol to Kaya was dangerously speedy, rough and rowdy.

Ahmodou Ousmane, a driver with one of the International organizations, said

only special Toyota vehicles referred to as ‘San-Sar’ ply the untarred paths, meandering through the dunes and shrubs.

He said “you can only get here using this brand of vehicles with experienced drivers otherwise, you have to use camels, horses and/or donkeys to get here.

“You have to drive at high speed so as not to get stuck, and at the same time, be careful not to run into the shrubs or the scattered trees.

“You are doomed with any mechanical fault in this area. No spare parts and no alternative means of getting out,” Ahmoudou said, making the journey more scary.

The Refugees Date With History: A New Hope Initiative

A happy 64 year old Ba Bulama and Community leader of the refugees in  Kaya, said “we are starting this occasion with a special prayer to welcome our guest Governor Mai Mala Buni. He is the first Nigerian government official to visit us.

“We thought our governments had forgotten and forsaken us but, this visit gives us a new hope, a new sense of belonging, and a hope to return home to be reunited with our relations,” Bulama said.

Modu Bukar 48 and Usman Haruna 56 years, said they fled their villages in Yobe and  Borno states respectively at the height of the insurgency and had remained in Kaya for over 10 years.

The Refugees appreciated the Chadian authorities and the host community for accommodating them, and providing them with lands for agriculture as well as fishing in their waters.

Speaking in an emotion laden voice after listening to the spokespersons of the refugees, Gov. Buni said,  “you are not forgotten and cannot be forgotten. He assured the refugees that both the federal and state governments share the unfortunate situation that had bedevilled them in the past years.

Buni expressed the appreciation of the Nigerian government to the government and the people of Chad. “The federal government of Nigeria and governors of the Lake Chad region are profoundly grateful for the gesture extended to our citizens. This is the true definition of brotherhood.”

“Thank you for providing the refugees with lands on the Islands for agriculture and granting them access to the waters to fish for their means of livelihoods,” Buni added.

He called on the Lake Chad Basin Commission to liaise with the Governors’ forum to facilitate the repatriation of those willing to return home.

“To those of you willing to return home, the Lake Chad Basin Commission would liaise with you to take a census, with every detail of your profile to be submitted to the respective state governments, for your safe repatriation with dignity,” Gov. Buni assured, stressing in heartfelt passion and conviction, the Robert Schuller’s maxim, “Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.”

– Mohammed is the Director General, Press Affairs and Media,  to the Yobe Governor