Uncategorized

TRIBUTE: MALA KACHALLAH: DEATH AND THE LESSONS OF LIFE

Published

7 years ago

April 14, 2019

By: Inuwa Bwala

Every year, since 2007, the 18th day of the month of April has remained a constant reminder to me and several others, of the sad loss of a father, a leader, a friend and statesman per excellence, Alhaji Mala Kachallah, former Governor of Borno State, 1999 to 2003. Not everybody may recall that date now, but certainly nobody will forget Mala Kachallah, the man who made name for his style of politics, which earned him the name, “Captain of Peace”. Majority of our people may tend to agree with me that, the death of this sage, twelve years ago remains one of the biggest loss ever to Borno state.

It is not because I have anything new to add to what I may have said before about Alhaji Abdullsalam Mala Kachallah, but the urge to mention him to a world that seems to have forgotten such a great man remains irresistible. I feel, that like Pompey of the Shakespearean fame, Nigerians like the Romans have forgotten Mala Kachallah, and are rejoicing with others, who neither brought conquests nor tributaries to Borno.

And as the anniversary draws, what goes on in my mind is the lesson to learn and reality of life after death. Before I go far, I feel the need to pay a special tribute to Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, who has made it a duty to seek out Mala Kachallah’s family and assist them since he came on board as governor. He also took it upon himself to immortalize him by naming a school in the state capital after Mala Kachallah. And Shettima, though a disciple of Kachalla’s political philosophy, he never directly benefitted from the Government Kachallah led. Save for what the governor did, the Kachallah’s family was almost being forgotten, and his name fast disappearing, just like his grave is being swallowed by the cluster of other tombs around him, at the Gwange cemetry.

Mala Kachallah both in government and even outside government was the cynosure of attention. I recall with nostalgia how people fall over themselves to get the attention of the great Mala Kachallah. It was the vogue amongst his loyalists to strive to imitate Kachallah’s unique style of dressing, particular his customized caps, which caught attention even at night, with their shinny textures. Some people skipped meals in their own houses to go and dine with him. Mala Kachallah, being a “welfarist” never lacked the company of people who hang around him every day for financial handouts. I stand to be corrected, but Mala Kachallah to, my mind started the issue of “welfarism” in governance, where sets of dresses were made with accompanying huge sums of money to people either marrying, naming their children or even mourning the dead.

I will not forget how everybody around him prayed fervently for male children, so they can name them after Mala Kachallah. Where the boys fail to come, the girls were named after his wife Falmata Mala Kachallah I learnt that some of the names changed or some of the children given second names after Kachallah’s demise. I remember one man who despite knowing that Mala Kachallah was never impressed with polygamous life, offered to give him his daughter in Marriage, as a mark of his loyalty, an offer which was politely turned down.

Should Mala Kachallah have the opportunity to be around for the second time, or even for him to peep from yonder and see what some of his disciples have become, or even what has become of Borno since he departed, he may die a second death. I have always said it, that, it was not out of mere political fashion that Mala Kachallah was nick named “CAPTAIN OF PEACE”, neither was it an accident of history that Borno was christened “HOME OF PEACE”. It was not a mere coincidence either that both coinages came at almost the same time, but it is rather sad, that the “PEACE”: the value Mala Kachallah advocated, and the attribute the people of Borno have been identified with for long, seem to have taken leave.

It may not be charitable to accuse subsequent leaders of jettisoning the peace enjoyed during the time of Mala Kacahallah, as no one single man can be said to be capable of enthroning peace in a society, neither endanger it, but it remains a fact that Mala seem to have in many ways galvanized the people towards peaceful resolution to all disagreements. He died with the tranquility we enjoyed, and today we enjoy the peace of the grave yard.

Others may have forgotten him, but that we remember Mala Kachallah with nostalgia today is a testimony of how well he utilized the privilege God gave him to lead. He often told me that leadership is a privilege, what one does with such a privilege may be one’s opportunity to write one’s name in gold or on water. Mala Kachallah has written his name in Gold, even if others fail to place him appropriately in our leadership hall of fame, those who had the privilege to know him have a lesson or two to learn from his life and from his death.

Inuwa Bwala served as Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Late Mala Kachallah.

Uncategorized

TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

As 16 graduands make First Class

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality education, innovation, and globally competitive learning.

Speaking at the institution’s 2nd Convocation ceremony in Oko-Irese, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo, said TAU is living up to its ranking as the fastest growing institution in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Innovation (STEM-i) ecosystem by surpassing more than 100 percent in its number of graduating students at the second convocation.

She said: “TAU emerged on April 8, 2021, as Nigeria’s fastest-growing Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Innovations (STEM-i) ecosystem. Today, we rank 1st among the 20 private universities that were licensed in
2021, 4th among the 14 Universities in Kwara State, 5th among Nigeria’s over 170 private Universities and 50th nationally, an impressive rise reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence.

”What a Moment of Extraordinary Significance today, we stand at a crossroads far more significant than words can adequately capture. Exactly one year ago, we gathered at this very Auditorium to celebrate our inaugural Convocation, a ceremony that marked the graduation of 26 pioneering students who dared to believe in a vision when others saw only impossibility. Those 26 trailblazers proved that Thomas Adewumi University was not just a dream, but a reality rooted in excellence. Today, as we honour 63 outstanding graduates, we witness something far more profound than numerical growth.

“This 142% increase in our graduating class is not merely a statistic to be recorded in annual reports, it is a declaration that Thomas Adewumi University has transcended the realm of promise and entered the domain of proof.

“We have moved from potential to performance, from aspiration to achievement, from vision to velocity.
This year, 63 graduands from 4 Faculties and 11 academic programmes are being conferred. It is noteworthy that we have 16 First Class graduates, 40 in Second Class Upper Division, and 7 in Second Class Lower Division. These results reflect the quality of training and mentorship provided at Thomas Adewumi University, and we are proud to contribute these innovators to both the Nigerian and global workforce, confident that they will make a meaningful
impact.

”Preparing Globally Competitive Graduates, these 63 graduands are not merely degree holders, they are comprehensively prepared global professionals equipped with exceptional advantages that set them apart from their peers nationwide. Through our international partnerships, these graduates have obtained additional microcredentials from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Berkeley, and Yale, world-class certifications from Alison, UK, RUDN professional University, Russia, World Bank’s Saylor Academy, Google, ICAN, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development initiatives in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

“Our Coursera collaboration provided them with additional industry certifications, while partnerships with Microsoft, IBM SkillsBuild, and MIT OpenCourseWare through our Global Campus initiative democratize access to cutting-edge knowledge. They are thus fully equipped to embark on meaningful and innovative careers in today’s technology-driven world.”

Earlier in his Convocation Lecture, titled “Crowdfunding Opportunities forstartups: Equiping Nigerian graduates for a sustainable future”, Dr. Bayo Williams Olugbemi charged the graduads on the mindset of job creation, saying “as a graduate, your future is not defined by what Nigeria gives you, but by what you create. The idea of crowdfunding is the idea of hope. It is proof that when people come together, ideas once impossible become achievable.

“I urge you not to think only about searching for jobs. Instead, think about creating value, and if capital is a barrier, remember: “The crowd can be your first investor.”

In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, represented by Esther I. Eyo, Esq commended the resilience of TAU management said “NUC acknowledges TAU sustained progress in advancing quality teaching, impactful research, innovation, and community engagement, all of which align with our national aspiration for a globally competitive and knowledge-driven university system.

“It would interest you to know that, in the accreditation exercise conducted in 2023, Thomas Adewumi University achieved a 100% Full Accreditation status across all programmes assessed a laudable feat that reflects the University’s strong commitment to maintaining high academic standards.”

Also speaking, the Founder/Chancellor of the institution, Dr. (Engr) Johnson Adewumi, urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the University, adding: “Remember that your degree is not an end but a beginning, go forth with courage, humility, and a sense of responsibility. Strive to illuminate whatever space you occupy with the light of integrity, excellence and service.”

Highlight of the event was the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on two distinguished personalities; Engr Oluseyi Afolabi and Pastor Oladokun Olatunde.

End

Uncategorized

photo

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

L-r Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the dinner for members of the National Assembly by the First Lady yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office.

Uncategorized

JUST IN: Even Tinubu moves with too many police escorts – Senator Ndume

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

Senator Ali Ndume has criticised what he described as the excessive use of security convoys by top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, warning that the practice leaves ordinary citizens exposed and vulnerable.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Ndume said many public office holders move with security details that are unnecessarily large, even when their positions do not warrant such heavy protection.

He recalled visiting the residence of a colleague and finding “more than 10 policemen” attached to him, despite the lawmaker being junior to him in the National Assembly.

Ndume further argued that the presidential convoy itself is excessively large, stressing that security efforts should be focused on protecting the overall environment rather than individual personalities.

He said: “I went to one of my colleagues’ house for dinner. And I saw more than 10 policemen. He is even my junior in the National Assembly. Some of them, if you see them coming, you will pull back thinking that maybe it’s the President or the Vice President that is coming.
“

You can see even the president, the convoy that the president goes about with is too much. Secure the place and when the president goes, you withdraw. Secure Abuja and the president can even drive out, you know, himself.

But when you secure personalities, and this is what is happening in Nigeria, then others, common people, as we call them, become vulnerable, and we don’t care. So if you secure Abuja, then you can drive at night. And let me tell you, this is what is happening in most countries”.

The lawmaker’s comments come just days after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive was aimed at redeploying police manpower to core law enforcement responsibilities.