Vice President Kahsim Shettima stated that President Bola Tinubu has authorized the “Pulaaku Initiative.”
Pulaaku is a non-kinetic way to dealing with insurgency and banditry in the North, and according to the VP, Tinubu has budgeted N50 billion to the program in its initial phase.
Shettima delivered his opening remarks during a two-day Roundtable on Insecurity in Northern Nigeria organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups under the topic “Multi-Dimensional Approach to Tackling Insecurity in Northern Nigeria.”
The former Borno Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Hadeija, said the now-approved initiative would begin in five states of the North namely, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna states, and would “catalyse” the fortunes of the northern region.
“Every part of the country is equal to the rest, and the government treats the needs of each region as critical.
“For the North, we are also embarking on a transformative journey to address the root causes of the challenges.
“The Pulaaku Initiative, a non-kinetic solution, has received presidential approval, with an allocation of N50bn in the first instance.
“This initiative aims to enhance living conditions and livelihoods in selected states, starting with Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna.
“The construction of residences, roads, schools and other essential facilities is set to commence, promising to catalyse the fortunes of this region,” he said.
Shettima noted that the government was committed to addressing insecurity in the nation.