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LET US NOT BE TOO UNCHARITABLE TO OURSELVES.
There is an uncharitable narrative being bandied on some platforms from Southern Borno to the effect that the region’s elites of yore did little to improve the plight of the people.
As such they should bury their heads in shame. While the younger ones that are not towing the line of the collective denigration and budding “revolution” are referred to variously as; slaves, stooges, sycophants, bootlickers, betrayers, saboteurs, defenders of the status quo, crumbs eaters, etc.
And their crime? Holding a different perspective on issues affecting the region. What an infantile approach to issues and a cheap warped blackmail to get people into ill defined political and ethno-religious orbits and clichés! A voyage of conviction is premised on ideologically molded moral rectitude and the capacity to inspire and not the ability to throw tantrums at both real and imaginary voices of desent.
And to take some people’s dignified silence as lacking in response or concurrence. Unfortunately this ugly trend has become the defining feature of many platforms, with some flirting with such fanciful catch phases as fighting for the “liberation” “unity” and “transformation” of Southern Borno.
Diversity may have constrained the elites and indeed the people of Borno South for long, but history tells that they have made and are still making greater marks in terms of quality of life in comparison with their more homogeneous counterparts from Central/Northern part of the State. Especially when judged by the State’s development indices regarding education, health and even adventure.
To use Southern Borno people’s inability to elect a State Governor as a measure of failure is not only mischievous but naive. It also represents poor sense of history and appreciation of the comperative living standards of the ordinary folks of Northern/Central Borno extraction with those from the South. The same assessment could be extended to the quality of lives in the rural areas of the two regions. This comperative advantage was achieved via the efficacy of Western education, and the positive roles played by the elites of the time, in propagating same. Elites that are now called upon to bury their heads in shame for being “visionless”.
In the 1920s while other parts of Borno were resisting education, the elites and traditional leaders we paradoxically referred to as “visionless” accepted it and made the region the bastion of education, manpower and enlightenment with the attended income so derived from. Today, the variant of poverty in Southern Borno is less desperate than elsewhere in the State. Thanks to a more equitable income distribution so earned to educational and other related endeavours. An educational movement that started with such humble Native Authority (N.A) schools in Gwoza, Biu, Lassa, Askira, Uba, Kwaya Kusar, Kwajaffa, Sakwa, Marama, Dile, Tampul, Chibok, Ngulde, Damboa, Miringa, Gunda, Ngoshe, Kirawa, K/Bura, Sakwa etc that were soon to be joined by the CBM Missionary schools in Garkida, Marama, Shafa, Waka, Uba, Lassa, and many more.
The impact of these educational initiatives in unqualified terms has been the envy of sister communities. And those who made it possible .The very people that are now being termed visionless. Maybe as “visionless” as those revolutionary figures who used education and mass literacy in the Soviet Union, China and even capitalist America to transform their respective societies. A model that holds great appeal but being poorly mimicked. Furthermore, in the late 60s, (1968 to be precise), the Biu the Native Authority/Federation (with Askira and Shani), among few others in the North pioneered the establishment of Community Secondary Schools.
The Biu Community Secondary School became a reference point in the whole of the then North Eastern State of Nigeria. The products of that school are out there contributing their quota to national development. That feat was achieved by the elites and leaders we now consider “visionless”.
Down the line, the forces of history and Military politics worked unfairly for the Southern part of Borno as the region ended up with only nine (9) LGAs out of 27 in Borno State . A structure embeded in the 1999 national Constitution. The series of exercises that led to the development was done through fiat by the Military. And maybe along with some privileged local elements. To even get this 9 LGAs it took some efforts, protests and lobby on the part of the past “visionless” elites/leaders from the region. Some of them are of blessed memory while others are still alive.
For instance at one time Biu and kwaya kusar were lumped together as one LGA. So was Shani and Hawul. It was the separation of the two sets, plus the creation of the Bayo LGA that brought the current number of LGAs to nine in Southern Borno. Bayo, for security reasons (Biu-Gombe Emirates border frictions), allegedly took the slot of a LGA that was to be curved out of Gwoza LGA.It took the efforts of patriotic citizens and various Community Development Associations (CDAs) to get the two sets of the paired LGAs separated and new ones created, thus bringing the number to nine. That struggle almost cost some citizens their career progressions in both the state and the federal services. Some almost lost their lives. Today people have luxury to call such people “visionless”
Of recent the proposed Savannah State has been ranks among some of the most viable and favourable proposals for states creation. Putting up the proposal has not been a smooth sail but the determination of those involved made it possible, on more than three or four past occasions. The last outing being in Bauchi recently.Through it all, the aspirations of the people of Southern Borno to have Savannah State never dies. Ironically it was the role of the “visionless” elites/leaders that keeps the vision of the Savannah State alive and never wished away.
The Nigerian Army University (NAUB) Biu, the Federal College of Education (FCOE) Gwoza, the Urban Renewal in Biu etc were all facilitated by the elites add to the efforts of Southern Borno elites past and present. Elites, that are now referred to as “visionless”.
Development is a process with wide latitude. It is also infinite with enormous room for all to play a part, be it incremental or revolutionary. However in fast tracking the process, imagination should be stretched and intelligence employed by the very individuals and groups who volunteer to build on the past. People perform better when they move from the known to the unknown, so says wisdom. A.G.Abubakar agbarewa@gmail.com
By Fabian Apechihin
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that petrol prices could rise to ₦5,000 per litre under President Bola Tinubu’s administration if the government fails to address concerns surrounding oil revenues and public spending.
Atiku raised the alarm through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following the latest petrol price increase.
He questioned why Nigerians were paying as much as ₦1,470 per litre when crude oil was trading at approximately $102.52 per barrel.
“With crude oil around $102.52 per barrel, Nigerians are paying as much as N1,470 per litre. In 2008, when crude oil reached about $147 per barrel, petrol sold at N65 per litre under the Yar’Adua administration,” Atiku said.
The former vice president called for a reconciliation of oil revenues and deductions from 2023 to date, arguing that Nigerians should be able to establish how much revenue was generated, what deductions were made before distribution and where the funds eventually went.
“Nigerians deserve accounts they can interrogate, not accounting labels designed to discourage questions,” he said.
Atiku also questioned the use of funds saved following the removal of the petrol subsidy, recalling the government’s earlier assurances that the savings would create room for increased investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure.
“After all the pain imposed on Nigerians, they have a right to ask: where are the subsidy savings and where is the money?” he asked.
He further called for scrutiny of financial transactions involving the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, OML 143, oil production revenues and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s international liquefied natural gas trading operations.
“These allegations are too serious to be answered with press statements and political insults. Every barrel can be measured, every cargo identified and every legitimate payment traced,” Atiku said.
The former vice president’s remarks come amid continuing public debate over petrol pricing, oil revenue management and the economic impact of subsidy removal on Nigerians.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday hosted the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, in Abuja, in a meeting that has attracted attention amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Neither Atiku nor Aisha publicly disclosed details of their discussions or indicated whether the meeting centred on political matters.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of renewed interest in the Buhari family’s political influence, particularly in Katsina State.
In May, Yusuf Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in Katsina State. He secured 6,386 votes, defeating Auwal Daura, who polled 322 votes.
The outcome generated considerable interest within political circles in the Daura axis, where the Buhari family has maintained a strong political presence.
Aisha Buhari has also remained active in promoting the legacy of her late husband, who died in London on July 13, 2025.
In July, she described education and human capital development as among Muhammadu Buhari’s most important legacies while speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for a Computer Science Complex at Al-Qalam University, Katsina.
The project is being financed with proceeds from the book From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, which chronicles the former president’s life and public service.
Aisha said the initiative was aimed at preserving Buhari’s legacy through investment in education, knowledge and innovation rather than through the construction of monuments.
Although the purpose and outcome of Wednesday’s meeting between Atiku and Aisha were not publicly disclosed, the encounter has drawn attention as political actors and groups continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
- As Gov AbdulRazaq Is Turbaned As Sadauna Of Ilorin Emirate
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Vice President Kashim Shettima has stressed the need for politicians to embrace one another, play politics without bitterness and according to the rules in order to ensure an astronomical growth and development for the country.
Shettima made the appeal on Wednesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the turbaning of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, while admonishing
Nigerians to serve with humility, do good to one another and have forgiving spirit, as they, according to him, would spend more time after office.
He added: “Power is given by God to the people He so wishes and not because we are better than others. I, therefore, call on all politicians to unite themselves as one family despite their political differences.
“Take a cue from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I serve as his assistant. He is a good and decent man who has the love and interest of Nigerians at heart.”
Shettima explained that when they assumed office in 2023, the economy of the country was at the brink of collapse, but President Tinubu refused to pass blame; with courage he accepted both the assets and liabilities and moved on.
He further disclosed that during the 2023 electioneering campaign, only six out of the 19 northern governors supported Tinubu’s presidential aspiration, based on the erroneous belief that Baba (Buhari) didn’t like him, adding: “But today the President has embraced everybody as his own and things are going on well”.
He added: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a good man by all standard; he believes in the people that work with him.”
Shettima also thanked the Emir of Ilorin for the honour done to Governor AbdulRazaq, which , he noted, was based on his contributions to the development of the Ilorin Emirate and the State at large, adding that “the father of the Governor had planted a solid footprint in the Ilorin Emirate and by extension Nigeria as a whole”.
Shettima, who expressed optimism that this new chapter would create a stronger bond between the Emirate and the family of Governor AbdulRazaq, urged the people to continue to pray for the progress and development of the Emirate and the State as a whole.
He commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his efforts in the massive improvement on infrastructure to assist the people of the State, as well as for his
contributions to the actualisation of policies and programmes of government at the federal level towards providing succour to average Nigerians.
In his remarks, the Matawaliof Ilorin Emirate, Dr.Alimi AbdulRazaq, said the title of Sardauna bestowed on the Governor was well deserved, thanking the Emir of Ilorin for finding the Governor worthy of the noble recognition by the Emirate.
Dr,Alimi urged the Governor to see the tittle as a clarion call to provide more dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the State.
The turbaning ceremony witnessed large turnout of dignitaries, including the Governor of Niger state, Umar Bago, Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Imo State ,Hope Uzodinma, and Governors of Kebbi ,Katsina States.
Others are the Emir of Zazzau Emirate, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, the Deputy Governors of Sokoto, Anambra, Nasarawa, Delta, Ondo, and Oyo States.
Fuel Price May Hit ₦5,000 Per Litre Under Tinubu — Atiku Warns
2027: Atiku Hosts Aisha Buhari in Abuja Amid Political Realignment
2027: VP Shettima Urges Politicians To Play Politics without Bitterness
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