News

Zulum’s 100 days: a story of work, speed and diligence:

Published

7 years ago

September 6, 2019

By: Inuwa Bwala
He emerged against all odds. Not many people gave him a chance in the ensuing political battle over who should succeed Kashim Shettima as Governor in Borno State. Long after the primaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which produced Babagana Umara Zulum, a Professor of Agricultural Engineering, many had remained skeptical, even when the then Governor, Kashm Shettima openly endorsed his candidacy. Seemingly, his emergence has a sort of divine ordination and Professor Babagana Umara Zulum pulled through.
Like Nostradamus, only his predecessor, Kashim Shettima could see what tomorrow held for the Professor of Agricultural engineering. While many people were querying his political pedigree, Shettima was focused on the man’s robust academic and working credentials. At the end of it all, many more are today agreed, that, the choice of Babagana Umara Zulum was the best under the circumstances.
Because Professor Babagana Umara Zullum may have come into office with no apparent political pedigree, many politicians who have been on ground for much longer period felt he did not merit it. Even as the dark horse in the race,everybody knows that when it comes to honesty, performance and loyalty, he stands shoulders high. Even those who contested with him attest to the fact that he gave very good account of himself as lecturer in the university if Maiduguri, Rector of the Ramat Polytechnic and later as Commissioner for the newly established Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement.
It seems to me that, immediately he emerged as the Governorship standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2019 elections, knowing that the coast was clear, going by Borno’s political history, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum may have started working towards making the greatest impact within the first one hundred days in office.
Quite to the surprise of many, Professor Zulum seems to have hit the ground running, as immediately he assumed office, he embarked on certain radical review of some policies and actions, which endeared him instantly to the citizenry.
He spent so many sleepless nights trying to fashion out an agenda for the new government. Those who witnessed his inauguration ceremony may have noticed that he was so exhausted, but because of his passion for a speedy take off, he was on his foot to address what is perhaps Borno’s biggest and immediate challenge: security. At a meeting with members of the security committee, Professor Zulum outlined what has come to be known as the carrot and stick approach in prosecuting the fight against insurgency.
He did not mince words about his determination to succeed even in the face of obvious security threats. In inviting every citizen to come forward with inputs on how to resolve the lingering Boko Haram milieu, the governor offered the olive branch to repentant insurgents who are willing to embrace peace and be reintegrated into the society. This is coming at a time he also charged the armed forces, local hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force to take the battle to the doorsteps of recacilstrant insurgents, with a view to forcing them to surrender.
After a meeting with key government officials, and after due consultations, he began making unscheduled visits to government offices and facilities, including a visit to the state Secretariat where he made far reaching pronouncements on the need to reawaken the working spirit of civil servants. Shortly after this, Governor Babagana Umara paid visits to some Local Government headquarters, where he unleashed disciplinary measures on workers who were either absent or found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
Following some of his actions, civil servants, were made happier,u especially those whose regular payment of salaries were affected by an ongoing biometric reregistration of government workers. He ordered for the immediate payment of all outstanding salaries of all categories of workers who were affected. He equally ordered the payment of leave allowances to workers, with strict charges that the workers must also earn the pay, by going to work regularly. His historic visit to the Musa Usman Secretariat remains a watershed in the recent history of the State Civil Service, where he virtually took charge in offices, even as the marching orders he gave non performing workers seems to have instilled a new sense of discipline in government workers.
The highest point of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum new administration is no doubt the massive infrastructural rehabilitation he embarked upon. At every stop during his tour of ministries, parastatals and local Governments, the Governor ordered for rehabilitations and fresh construction of so many infrastructures in especially the education sector, health, roads and water supply.
On visiting the southern part of the state, especially Hawul Local Government, where I come from, the Governor ordered for the immediate rehabilitation of infrastructures in schools, hospitals and communities. As he marks his first one hundred days in office which was without the usual fanfare associated with the such period, Professor Zulum has completed the construction of houses destroyed by Boko Haram in Kwajaffa, built new classroom blocks in Kwajaffa Central Primary school and Government Secondary school Kwajaffa. He has given a facelift to the palace of the district head and has ordered the construction of the 2 and half kilometer road into Kwajaffa town. This is in addition to connecting the town to the National grid, amongst others.
Governor Zulum has ordered the newly constructed General Hospital Azare in Hawul Local Government to immediately be put to use. Work on the classrooms and staff quarters at Government Secondary schools Sakwa and Marama have been completed within a period of just 63 days.
Time and space may not permit me to under list the projects he has so far executed, most of which I can personally testify to but one of the most impressive projects executed by Professor Zulum in less than a hundred days remains the completion of the Bura Women Skills Acquisition Centre in Marama. The fact that the project is a private initiative which caught his fancy, and which he met at about 40% completion only to complete the project in 51 days speaks volumes. Again the GSS Kwaya Bura has been completed. All these projects are located in only one local Government.
Professor Zulum has broken a jinx in Biu where he relocated the Local Government Secretariat to a more suitable site and completed the new building in a little over sixty days. Staff quarters at the Biu General Hospital is at finishing stage.
Efforts are still on to document all the achievements, which unlike others are real and verifiable. I must not fail to pay this special tribute, to Professor Babagana Zulum, as a man who combined work, speed and due diligence.

News

“Nigeria’s Biggest Ever Coalition, Civil Groups, Professionals, Labour, Artisans, Declare for Bola Tinubu”

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

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In what is being described as an unprecedented political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, a broad-based national coalition cutting across civil society organisations, professional bodies, labour groups, artisan associations, and other grassroots networks has announced plans to formally endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The coalition, spearheaded by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, now extends far beyond the traditional civic space, bringing together over 1,500 groups from diverse sectors of the Nigerian society. Participants include human rights organisations, medical and legal professionals, trade and artisan unions, community-based organisations, and influential labour leaders, reflecting a wide national spread and multi-sectoral backing.

The historic convention is scheduled to hold on May 17, 2026, where leaders and representatives of the various groups are expected to converge in what organisers say will be the largest endorsement gathering in Nigeria’s history. The event will serve as the official platform for the coalition to collectively declare support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a major demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the coalition also revealed plans to submit a compiled total of 20 million signatures of Nigerians who have endorsed the President’s candidacy. The signatures, gathered through extensive nationwide engagement, are being positioned as a clear indication of public support cutting across regions, professions, and social strata.

Organisers of the event stated that the decision to back President Tinubu is driven by what they described as tangible strides in economic reforms, governance, and national stability. They emphasised that the inclusion of non-traditional actors such as artisans, market groups, and labour unions underscores a broader national consensus that transcends the usual civil society framework.

Political analysts say the scale and diversity of this coalition mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, where support structures are no longer confined to political parties and elite stakeholders but are increasingly driven by a fusion of grassroots and professional constituencies.

As momentum builds towards the May 17 convention, observers are keenly watching how this expansive alliance will shape political narratives and influence voter sentiment in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Further details on the convention and breakdown of participating groups are expected to be unveiled in the coming days.

News

How ISWAP killed Army Col. Six others in Borno.

Published

4 days ago

April 14, 2026

Our Reporter

☆☆☆As Troops Foil Series of Ambushes.

Troops of the Nigerian Army under operation Hadin Kai have foiled a series of ambush by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (I SWAP) terrorist along the Monguno in Borno state.

Islamic state of West Africa province (ISWAP) have attacked the Nigerian army from Monguno 242 Battion Barrack in Borno State on their way to reinforce the camp.

A serving Nigerian Army Colonel was reportedly killed in an ambush by insurgents in Monguno, Borno State, during a reinforcement mission

Source added said that colonel I.A. Muhammad was ambushed by ISWAP and killed along with four other soldiers.

Community confirmed that the troops who were on a fighting patrol as part of operation,came under fire from suspected terrorists

As of the time of felling this report, there has been no official statements from the Nigerian Army regarding the accident.

News

Dogara Felicitates Dangote at 69, Applauds His Enduring Impact on Africa

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2026

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Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC), has joined Nigerians and the global business community in celebrating Alhaji Aliko Dangote on his 69th birthday. In a detailed tribute, Dogara described Dangote as “a visionary whose life’s work has become a cornerstone of Africa’s economic transformation.”

Dogara emphasized that Dangote’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience and foresight. From humble beginnings, he built the Dangote Group into Africa’s largest conglomerate, with investments spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertilizers, and the landmark Dangote Refinery. These ventures, Dogara noted, have not only revolutionized industries but also created millions of jobs, strengthened Nigeria’s economy, and reduced dependence on imports. “Alhaji Dangote is not just an entrepreneur; he is a nation-builder whose vision has redefined what is possible for Nigeria and Africa,” Dogara said.

He pointed out that the Dangote Refinery, in particular, represents a turning point in Nigeria’s energy sector, offering the promise of self-sufficiency in petroleum products and positioning the country as a major player in global energy markets. “This singular achievement underscores his commitment to solving Africa’s most pressing challenges through bold and innovative solutions,” Dogara remarked.

Beyond his industrial empire, Dogara praised Dangote’s philanthropy through the Dangote Foundation, which has invested heavily in healthcare, education, and humanitarian relief. From building hospitals and funding scholarships to providing aid during crises, Dangote’s generosity has touched countless lives across the continent. “His philanthropy reflects a deep commitment to humanity. He has shown that true greatness lies not only in building industries but also in uplifting lives,” Dogara added.

Dogara also reflected on the inspirational power of Dangote’s story, stressing that his rise from modest beginnings to global prominence serves as a beacon of hope for young Africans. “His journey proves that with hard work, faith, and determination, Africans can build enterprises that rival the best in the world. He remains a shining example of African excellence,” he concluded.

As Dangote celebrates his 69th birthday, his legacy continues to resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders. His life stands as a testament to the transformative power of vision, enterprise, and compassion—an enduring reminder that Africa’s future can be defined by innovation, resilience, and generosity