According to Peter, not Peter the Apostle, but Peter the Great, “It is not life that matters but the courage you bring into it.”
Though it has become a ritual to assess leaders in their journey so far in office the first 100 days on assumption, what impact has such exercise on a leader who has a journey of four years ahead or thereabout? This, however, reminds one of the proverb that says, “A journey of a thousand years starts with a step.” A runner or an athlete that takes a faulty step at the beginning of a race is unlikely to make it to victory. Morning shows the day, just as the past informed the present and the present indicates the future. What you sow is what you will reap just as a sower of banana should not expect a harvest of guava.
When, before the All Progressives Congress 2019 Governorship primaries in Borno State, the then governor, Kashim Shettima (now Senator of the Federal Republic) recommended in writing Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as his choice of successor among the 21 aspirants, there were, as expected, hues and cries about Shettima allegedly jumping the gun. Governor Shettima who pointed out that his recommendation of Professor Zulum was based on aftermath of extensive consultations and “does not, should not and will not stop any aspirant from contesting in the primaries” gave reasons for his choice. According to Shettima, “In the last couple of days, I have come under intense pressure from many stakeholders insisting that I should anoint a successor. In all discussions, I have maintained one divine statement, which is, only Allah gives power to whom He pleases and at the time He pleases. I, Kashim Shettima, am but human, a first amongst equals. I do not and cannot give power. I can only make recommendation based on my own human but informed analysis. Even at that, my recommendation cannot foreclose the fundamental right of any legitimate aspirant to contest the primary election.
“From the generality of feedbacks, there is no doubt that what will define political debates in Borno’s 2019 Governorship election will be promises in the aftermath of brutal conflict, deaths and destructions of communities.
“Everywhere in the world, post conflict rehabilitation, restoration, reconciliation and resettlement are complex, composite and interwoven.
“With humility and absolute respect for all aspirants, I will like to say, that from overwhelming opinions and feedbacks, the aspirant with an edge in understanding the Peace-Development Nexus of Borno’s post-conflict future is Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, mni.
“As Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement since September 2015, Professor Zulum has been in the thick of our recovery and restoration efforts. He has proved to understand the dynamics. He has established enormous amount of contact in the post-conflict development sector and has earned the confidence of local and international stakeholders. Borno needs such confidence in the task of completing our ongoing social and economic recovery, rebuilding of communities and livelihoods.
“For our peculiar situation, Professor Zulum has shown the potential to take Borno State to the next level. His age is also an advantage. At 48, Professor Zulum is in his prime, he is head and shoulders above me in terms of intellect, capacity and indefatigability. Zulum is, without the slightest doubt, a workhorse!
“Professor Zulum’s story in the struggles of life will connect with electorate. Professor Zulum fought his way from grass to grace. From a humble beginning, he hawked firewood to finance his education. Through unusual courage and determination, he is today a Professor of Irrigation Engineering and member of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies,” concluded Kashim Shettima.
From the onset as governor, Zulum moved in the speed of a meteor to see, observe and act on the legacy bequeathed to him by Kashim, his predecessor. On this journey, he saw, he rewarded, reprimanded and punished outright in his 100 days sojourn. The embargo on thousands of workers’ salaries for some time before now, due to some challenges in their Biometric verification exercise, was lifted. The governor ordered the immediate payment of their salaries but made it clear that if eventually found guilt, they would be sanctioned according to the law. This period of stocktaking by the governor saw him going to the nooks and crannies of the state, where he inspected government projects, rewarded on the spot some workers, high or low, for good deeds, and punctuality and suspended some for absenteeism.
“While upgrading Kashim Ibrahim College of Education to a degree-awarding institution, he put smile on the students’ faces by ordering prompt payment of their outstanding scholarship fees, allowances as well external examination fees. Within his 100 days in office, Zulum increased the allowances of members of the Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes helping the military to build peace. He had met at least twice one-on-one with President Muhammadu Buhari on crucial matters affecting the state while also in close consultations with the Service Chiefs and Military Commanders. In the words of Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, the Secretary of Borno Elders Forum, “The Governor has left everyone without the slightest doubt that he is more than committed to our peace efforts and development. I must say that we are very impressed with the governor’s handling of Borno State”.
In a statement in Maiduguri, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Usman Jidda Shuwa, announced that the Borno State Governor, Professor Zulum, had in the first one hundred days executed 120 projects, many of which are completed, with others at various stages of completion. According to the statement, “Of the 120 projects, a total of 61 are located in Borno Cetnral, 43 in Borno South and 9 in Northern Borno, where accessibility is limited due to ongoing military operations. From distribution of the 61 projects in Borno Central, Kondgua has a total of 20 projects, mostly on rural water supply. There are 14 projects in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, 10 in Jere, 5 in Bama, 3 in Mafa, 3 in Dikwa, 3 in Ngala and 3 projects in Kala-Balge. In the list of 43 projects in Southern Borno, there are 12 projects in Hawul, 8 in Gwoza, 8 in Chibok, 6 in Askira-Uba, 4 in Bayo, 3 in Damboa and 4 in Biu, one of which is the determined expansion and upgrade of Biu township General Hospital to a specialist category with more doctors and equipment.”
Shuwa added that of the nine projects in Northern Borno, there are 3 in Gubio, 2 in Kaga, 2 in Monguno and 2 in Magumeri. He explained that the projects cut across education, healthcare, water supply, post-conflict reconstruction, agriculture, rural electrification, human empowerment and governance.
It was, however, not all rosy for Zulum as the insurgents went on the prowl once more during this period in Gubio, Magumeri, Nganzai, Dalori, Konduga and other places wreaking havoc – deaths, sorrow and blood. All these were deliberate attempts by the terrorists to interrupt the wheel of Professor Zulum’s progressive move as well as provoke people’s loss of confidence in the administration. However, the governor, who in response, kept the Presidency abreast of the situation, visited the affected and directed the rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure as well provision of homes for the victims, whose houses were destroyed.
The 100days in office of Governor Zulum has come and gone. It has become another past, which will inform the future. In the past 100 days, Professor Zulum has demonstrated unequivocally the response of good leadership. He has exhibited vision, courage, inspires hope, strong will, and a sense of mission as a leader with the ability to change the course of history. He has demonstrated the qualities of a good pilot and a dependable ally of the masses. A good leader, who uses power for the benefits of the people.
With Zulum’s dynamic disposition so far, coupled with gradual and purposeful implementation of the Ten Point Agenda of the administration’s socio – economic transformation, there is hope for the people and with the support from all the stakeholders, Borno will sooner than later sing the Victor’s song as its sun will rise again.
However, there is need for restraint and due caution in public utterances, especially on sensitive issues that border on security. For example, the position and reaction of the Governor is understandable with regards to the recent attacks on Gubio and Magumeri by suspected Boko Haram invaders, who he alleged succeeded in their destructive assault on the towns following the reported earlier withdrawal of troops in the areas by the military. According to Zulum, with the recent innovation by the military where “Super camps” were created leaving freely most towns and villages open for attacks by the insurgents, it was a field day for the terrorists in their onslaught on the affected towns. Zulum holds the strong view that in creating super camps made up of large number of soldiers in designated areas, the security of other towns and villages should not be compromised as experienced in Gubio and Magumeri, which were left bare and defenceless when the insurgents struck. The Borno State stakeholders supported the position of the governor in their open letter to the Presidency.
In his reaction to this allegation, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, Major General Olusegun Gabriel Adeniyi, explained that although super camps were created, the military ensured regular patrol of the major roads, towns, places, instead of static station of soldiers in scattered formations. General Adeniyi, who further stated that super camps enhanced effective coordination of military operations, nevertheless pointed out that the military did not foreclose formations of solders in towns, villages and places.
As stated, security matters are better discussed and implemented in a manner devoid of public comment or interpretation of results and confidence building among stakeholders in particular. It sounds unwise to poison the only source of water for the people. For now, the military is the major source of defence we have and nothing should be done to create misunderstanding, communication gap or friction of any kind between it and the stakeholders. Therefore, both the government and the military must be seen to work in harmony for the ultimate liquidation of insurgency.
Victor Izekor is a journalist, public affairs analyst and writes from Maiduguri at Victorizekor@gmail.com
