Governor Zulum Changing the Narrative
By Ahmed Aliko Ahmed
What sets apart great African leaders in history was their pursuit for progress and peace on the continent. Of course, there are challenges that these great minds faced daily. They placed themselves at the front of developmental matters and justice for their people and the state. One thing all the leaders have in common, was their love and patriotism, anywhere you come across their names in history. Some of the greatest political leaders in Africa had their own stories to tell: Stories of pain, sacrifice, and most at times, of turbulent times while running the affairs of their countries. Typical example is the Nelson Mandela’s sacrificed. A sacrifice of a great deal for South Africa. He spent the greater part of his life in Robben Island as a prisoner for 28 years. General Muhammadu Buhari went to prison for his efforts to make Nigeria better as a military Head of State. He contested three times for the Nigerian presidency. Today, he is doing a great job to put a troubled and battered country back on course. Ad for the two great leaders, here at home, in Borno, there is a leader who is putting in his best to provide the much-needed leadership in the state at a time when it is most needed.
Governance all over comes with a lot of sacrifice. Sacrificing family life, privacy, personal need and others. And again, being in government comes with privileges too. The ability to balance one’s personal need and abusing the privileges of office defined a leader’s position in the history books.
Before now, for more than a decade, we have been battling insurgency in Borno state. We have lost relations, family and friends. Villages and towns have been destroyed and our people have witnessed a dramatic turn of events in their lives. From the once proud and industrious people that we once were to destitute overnight.
With all these, all hopes are not lost. A new Borno is nigh. Borno state has a leader today. like the late Sardauna of Sokoto, he is a man with vision a man of action and wisdom. An academician cum politician. Professor Zulum has turned Borno to the lime light. For the first time in years, Borno is associated with progressive development rather than the insurgency. Like some of the greatest leaders in history, he has sacrificed his comfort and pushed aside the life of luxury that comes with the office. He travels to areas considered dangerous to provide and commune with the people he is leading.
Governor Zulum is no doubt leading by example and building confidence of the people in government. Spending night anywhere out of Maiduguri is something else but Governor Zulum has not only changed the narratives of security in Borno but has also succeeded in moving some of the Internally Displaced Persons back to their communities in places long forgotten and written off as Boko haram territories- All thanks to our gallant troops of the Nigerian armed forces.
With these sacrifices, the Government of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has embarked on infrastructural development to close the gap. Within 2 years of the Zulum led administration, the state has witnessed the commissioning of at least 556 projects 7 of which were commissioned by his Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari. There is no single local government area in Borno that has not witnessed a project in this short period. The state capital for instance has been turned into a giant construction site. Governor Zulum came with a plan and Borno is on the march again.
For the aforementioned reasons, I would like to say a big hearty cheers to His Excellency Prof Babagana Umara Zulum Mni,FNSE (GCON Niger Rep).
I cant end without saying: Happy 52nd birthday. May you live long to witness many more prosperous years in the service of Borno, Nigeria and humanity.
