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My Binoculars: Memo to Governor Zulum on the state of emergencies in the Borno health sector and the perceived interventions of development partners in ending the war

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9 months ago

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My Binoculars: Memo to Governor Zulum on the state of emergencies in the Borno health sector and the perceived interventions of development partners in ending the war

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Your Excellency, I must congratulate you for the myriads of achievements you have recorded in the entire state since you assumed duty. Your development of Borno regardless of the saddening insurgent war tormenting residents is quite remarkable. For me as a watcher of this kind of persistent social engineering, the health sector comes to mind as one that has literarily risen from dry grass to grace. My binoculars cannot forget in a hurry, your nocturnal visits to the hospitals when the guards of some of the medical managers were down. Many of them were shocked when caught napping at home instead of working while some accused you of barging into general hospitals without notice when you were sworn in. You did this obviously at very odd hours to find out how you can turn things around for the common man who has nowhere to go but those existing battered facilities when sick. A template has been set for the pretenders among them and they now know you don’t get pleased by eye service.

Before your first term of intervention as Governor, almost every thing regarding this sector was done haphazardly. Principal Medical officers (PMO’s) lacked the basic equipment to average at least 3/10 marks in terms of efficiency. Patients were told to buy 95 percent of their drugs outside the hospitals while the non governmental organizations (NGO’s) feasted on the ignorance of the generality of the residents. They were seen as the only saving grace within the emergency sub sector in the ministry of Health. Some humanitarians criminally feasted on the ignorance of the people by making huge harvests by way of corrupt blood money from a war which had no reason to have lasted till this day. Some of them came in as mere money mongers claiming to want to eliminate diseases like polio which have tormented residents long before you started your first tenure. No wonder some of them rent homes for three to four years for themselves because they don’t expect the war to end very soon. They are clogs in the wheels of the non kinetic which the military insist entails 75 percent of the efforts to end the war. Many benefitted immensely from the last flood which ravaged the city of Maiduguri one year ago.

BOACSDHR’s role in managing duplication and rouge NGO’s who lack the interest of the people

And this is why you set up an agency of accountability to streamline particularly the international NGOs who did what they wanted and felt they were untouchable and cannot be criticized.
Prof, you brought accountability within the health sector when you set up the Borno State Agency for the coordination of sustainable development and humanitarian response (BOACSDHR) in 2019 as part of government strategy to streamline the influx of some of these NGOs with twisted mindsets into the state. And I must tell you some of us watchers are very proud of the cerebral inputs into its steady growth by your Chief Adviser and coordinator Dr Mairo Mandara. She has actually been whipping them into line. No cow is sacred under her watch. They either conform with your visions and agenda or are shown the way out. Indeed within the 15 years of this pogrom against the Borno people so many unexpected woes have been unleashed on residents. The last one was the bursting of the seams of the Auno Dam which supplies drinking water to the state capital.
Sadly, while many of the NGOs meant well and came in with deep empathy to help the people, some others were just out to exploit the vulnerabilities of residents by converting resources meant for their well being to their fat pockets. Some carried a puritanical air of importance as if they are even above their parent bodies in Europe and America. Some of them are so full of themselves that they forget that the government should be on the drivers seat even if they are the ones paying the piper.

Compromises within the system

Sadly your Excellency some of your appointees are also bootlickers who worship international bodies because of what they gain at the sidelines from them. They see some international bodies as angels not made from dust like the rest of us as such they cannot make mistakes. But thank God you had the political will to create the BOACSDHR to coordinate humanitarian and development activities in the state towards efficient and effective use of resources to achieve the Borno state development aspiration to restore the age old honour, dignity and prosperity of the state, while ensuring all citizens and future generations have access to basic necessities and thrive in every stage of their lives. This has also assisted in elimination of deliberate duplication of activities between the international, national and local NGOs within the health sector. With this, the mindset of your appointees are being adjusted intermittently so that the Borno residents will become the ultimate winner. We may not all be perfect but there is always ample chance to move closer to the realm of excellence which some of us can decipher that you long for in the system especially now that the state teaching Hospital is on the way.

When Heads of agencies play with mediocrity

Your Excellency, I had a strange experience with one of your political appointees name withheld who castigated me recently for criticizing the world bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). I will leave his name out so that he doesn’t earn reprisal form you. But he is of the medical sector and claims to have been made in unimaid. He sounded so subservient to the development partners in his comments that I started wondering if he actually went to a university as he claimed. He is of a completely different mindset from your orientation which is to look out for excellence at all times even as you crush mediocrity. I used to think that all who work for a particular principal like you will adopt most of your characteristics. But this young fellow is a complete sell out in health health system far different from Professor Baba Mallam Gana whom he works under. He sounded so mediocre for my liking that I started wondering if the civil service is all about eye service and yes sir. If not what is it about the WHO that we can’t criticize them if they stray away from your plan? Have they become gods or the anti Christ that we should begin to fear to tell them to fall in line when they make mistakes? How much money are they spending in Nigeria that we should pamper them like some holier than thou agency who do not make mistakes? The same applies to the UNICEF and the rest of them. If you could say no to the world bank in the acresal project in the Dala swamps and they finally reached you at a common ground, does it not mean that no agency is above being corrected if they do not flow with our indigenous way of doing things?

Need for an urgent law guaranteeing emergency care for all

After what I want to describe as the careless deaths of two women at the Umaru Shehu hospital about two years ago due to alleged abandonment by the Medical Officer in charge then Dr Philibus, I agree totally that we must create a law “guaranteeing emergency care” for all regardless of ability to pay. It is important too harp on this your Excellency because we have a lot of awkward emergencies cropping up in the health sector which we are yet to fix. And some of these challenges such as neglect of desperate emergencies of residents, cut across the primary to tertiary level not only in this state but in Nigeria as a whole. We may also have to exempt the health sector from too much politics which it sometimes suffer from depending on who is in charge. In saner climes medical practitioners like Dr Philibus would be defending himself against the medical council of Nigeria by now for neglecting obvious emergencies brought right before his nose. Even if the ministry did not supply him with common cotton wool, it was not an excuse to drive those crying ladies to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) where he insisted they should go to without any first aid to keep them alive. After the medical council ordeal, the families of those late politicians would have dragged him to court.for further damage no matter who he thinks he is in the medical sector. Health managers must be more vigilant to ensure some of these perceived harmful practices of negligence does not go on in any of the sub sectors outside emergency. Keen binocular watching of local and international partners like the NGO’s should be stepped up not only by health managers but even the surveillance pillar to ensure that the common man does not die like chicken because he lacks the resources to pay for a particular service especially if he is not registered in the national or state health insurance scheme.

Medical practitioners in the 36 state management levels should also realize that issues like emergencies in the government hospitals not carried out free should bother them. And they should not necessarily bother about less important issues within the sector. We should be interested in lives of the common man other than those with the ability to go for medical tourism in Europe or Asia. This is real food for thought that should bother all progressive health managers and you and your colleagues in the 36 States of the federation.

My Binoculars: Memo to Governor Zulum on the state of emergencies in the Borno health sector and the perceived interventions of development partners in ending the war

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Columns

Radical Approach: Ways of Ending the Menace of Insecurity in Nigeria

Published

4 days ago

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June 11, 2026

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Radical Approach: Ways of Ending the Menace of Insecurity in Nigeria

By Balami Lazarus

Insecurity remains the most daunting challenge confronting Nigeria today, undermining our very existence and threatening the social and economic fabric of the nation. As a concerned citizen and observer of Nigeria’s ongoing crises, I hereby present my personal and radical perspective on how to eradicate this menace once and for all. This discourse is not an official stance of any institution but rather a heartfelt plea for decisive and transformative actions.

The scale of insecurity in Nigeria is alarming. Kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism have become the ominous triad casting a shadow over the country. Daily headlines recount stories of abductions, killings, and destruction of property, raising urgent questions: Are Nigerians truly safe? What concrete measures have our leaders put in place? Equally important, what roles are citizens playing in reversing this trend? The answers to these questions are not encouraging.

Drawing inspiration from the defiant spirit of the rock band Twisted Sister and their 1984 anthem, “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” the Nigerian people are increasingly exasperated with governmental inertia and broken promises. There is a collective realization that the status quo is untenable, and something must change radically. Yet, the fog of insecurity thickens, shrouded in layers of suspected conspiracies and opaque dealings that complicate straightforward solutions.

Having reflected deeply on the root causes and potential remedies, I propose a multi-dimensional and radical strategy aimed at dismantling the structures that perpetuate insecurity. This approach challenges conventional wisdom and demands bold leadership and citizen cooperation. It begins with the fundamental re-evaluation of Nigeria’s historical, geographical, and political arrangements—a re-examination crucial for any meaningful intervention.

First and foremost, restructuring Nigeria is imperative. Our current centralized system breeds inefficiency and disconnects governance from ground realities. A major component of this restructuring is the establishment of state police forces across all federating units. Each state should deploy well-trained, properly equipped security personnel, armed with sophisticated weaponry and clear operational mandates to combat insurgents, kidnappers, and bandits proactively. Presently, the absence of localized policing forces handicaps rapid response and intelligence gathering, allowing criminal elements to thrive.

State police would serve as frontline defenders, customizing security strategies to the unique threats within their jurisdictions. The federal police force can then focus on broader national security tasks rather than overstretching its already limited resources. By decentralizing policing, the government would empower states to take ownership of their security challenges, fostering accountability and efficiency.

Nigeria has already paid a dear price in lives lost and properties destroyed due to insecurity. The ripple effects extend to economic downturns, reduced foreign investment, and increased poverty—factors that further entrench instability. Given the apparent lack of political will by federal authorities to decisively confront these threats, an alternative democratic mechanism such as a national referendum on regional governments should be considered. This would allow the six geopolitical zones plus the Middle Belt to govern their affairs with greater autonomy, tailoring policies and security frameworks to local needs.

Such regionalism could dilute the potency of criminal networks by disrupting their operations and reducing the power vacuum currently exploited in many areas. Regional governments would also be better positioned to address socio-economic development, a vital component in the fight against insecurity since marginalization and unemployment often fuel violence.

However, if these reforms fail or are ignored, a more drastic option looms: the peaceful separation and balkanization of Nigeria into distinct republics. While controversial, this last-resort proposal recognizes the deep divisions exacerbating insecurity and mistrust among ethnic and regional groups. Envision independent states such as Biafra, Oduduwa, Niger Delta Republic, Middle Belt Republic, and Arewa, alongside any other ethnic groups seeking self-determination. Would insecurity persist in this new arrangement? I argue capital “no.”

Fragmenting the country along ethnic and cultural lines could usher in relative peace by allowing homogeneous populations to govern themselves without imposed central authority that currently breeds conflict. While skeptics fear such a breakup could trigger further violence, history suggests that forced unity without consensus breeds chronic instability. Thus, a consensual and peaceful partition might be preferable to ongoing bloodshed and despair.

This is not a call for reckless division but a candid assessment of the realities Nigerians face daily. The government, under the leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, stands at a crossroads. It can either embrace genuine reforms and act boldly to restructure governance and security frameworks or risk the disintegration of the Nigerian state altogether.

I believe Nigeria’s insecurity crisis demands radical and multifaceted solutions beyond incremental adjustments. The establishment of state police forces, regional autonomy through a national referendum, and, if necessary, peaceful balkanization represent pathways to ending this menace. The time for rhetoric is over; the moment for courageous and visionary action is now. If neglected, Nigeria’s unity and stability will unravel, leaving behind fractured states grappling with even graver challenges.

I urge the government, stakeholders, and citizens alike to consider these proposals thoughtfully and engage in frank discussions about the future of our nation. Only then can we hope to reclaim the peace and prosperity that every Nigerian deserves.

Balami Lazarus

Publisher/Columnist

08036779290

Radical Approach: Ways of Ending the Menace of Insecurity in Nigeria

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Holdings in Three Arm Business Investments, a Path to Financial Freedom

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2 weeks ago

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May 29, 2026

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Holdings in Three Arm Business Investments, a Path to Financial Freedom

By: Balami Lazarus

Long-term investments have never been the likes of most Nigerians. In fact, few have come to realize the secret of letting my money work for me through my investments in some going concerns (businesses).

Good and profitable investments in the three businesses

Arms will go a long way for financial independence and freedom.

Let me draw your attention to life in the jungle where rules are conditioned based on territorial control. The honey badger, the most fearless of all animals, has no respect for territories, including the swamps where crocodiles are kings. The Honey Badgers have long realized that their physical strength and ability do not lie in their size but in their biological capacity and anatomical system to do what they are used to doing at ease among other animals in the wild.

Similarly, if you invest and take a position in the three business investments, no doubt your returns on investments (RoI) will give you the desired results to control and rule without territorial limits in your domestic affairs and the environment.

I am not a business owner but a part owner of some businesses. One thing I know, and I always do, is to continue to develop and improve myself with knowledge in business investments for financial freedom and independence, considering my attitudes for self-freedom for when to do and/or not to do. Reasonably, you can exhibit this financial freedom through your returns on investments (RoI).

This has taught me what to do and when. It has further educated me on how, when, and where to invest—short or long-term period. I have also learned to develop some businesses and lease them out to other people to run them.

The information age has these days made making money through investments much easier and cheaper for those who want to be financially independent if tomorrow comes, most times with a modicum of health.

challenges.

Investment benefits will improve and

stabilized your mental and social life; an alibi to aging gracefully when the body is tired, weak, and fragile.

What are these three (3) arm investments? The phrase is my coinage, which simply means property (real estate), agriculture, and stocks. While some called it business streams. However, the good

The thing about investments is that an investor is making money in other businesses and is free from being part of the management of the business.

Therefore, the objective of every business investment is to translate them into financial gains. That is why core investors are always on the lookout for investment opportunities to put their money in and become part owners of the business concerns.

This piece, I believe, will be food for thought for wise minds. Better late than never.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist 08036779290

Holdings in Three Arm Business Investments, a Path to Financial Freedom

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Companies: Season of Dividends Declaration and Payments for Her Shareholders Worth Billions of Naira

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2 months ago

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April 21, 2026

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Companies: Season of Dividends Declaration and Payments for Her Shareholders Worth Billions of Naira

By: Balami Lazarus

This piece made me recall my attempt to write the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) examinations years ago that I cannot remember now. I deliberately failed to continue with no reasons to give or shift blame as an escape route, which humans many do to console themselves of their failures. I (the writer) have learned never to do that.

However, no knowledge or experience is a waste for a wiseman. Hence, this work is derived from the knowledge gotten from the handouts and books I read on capital, equity, and/or stock market investments, where patience is the guiding principle as an investor taking into consideration this formula: Money > Units (Stocks) × Time + Patience = capital appreciations/dividends.

Many Nigerians are unaware of this equity/capital market. And if they do, they lack knowledge on what to do and how to invest in this market (kasuwan hanun jari).

It will shock you to know that there are so many share certificates in the hands of the citizens, amounting to thousands of units of shares worth billions of naira put together, laying fallow, not knowing what to do with them.

For I have seen many and assisted friends and relatives on what to do. Thanks for the digitalization of the market; it has made things much easier for investors and traders, including dividend payments currently taking place.

And surprisingly, there is over $190 billion in unclaimed dividends in the coffers of the federal government under the watch of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is the regulatory body.

This large amount of money came as a result of some shareholders not knowing how to claim their dividends. While others may be due to the attitudes of procrastination.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), now officially Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, which is run as a public liability company guided by the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), with its nomenclature as (NGX), also has her stocks traded on the exchange floor at Lagos.

I will not say much on the NGX. But be informed it is the trading floor of public companies’ stocks listed with the exchange where traders and investors can buy and sell their stocks or simply shares from Mondays to Fridays (5 times) in a week from 9am to 2pm daily.

Every year most companies hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM), informing their shareholders of the progress of their companies and whether or not to declare dividends to their shareholders depending on the strength of profits after tax (PAT) to those whose names appear on the list of the company registrars before the date of declaration.

The season of dividend declarations is most times done in April through June of each year. However, companies’ dividends vary in the sum of money paid to their shareholders depending on their units’ holdings in each company as part owners.

Dividends have added monetary value to shareholders and, by extension, improved the capacity of small- and medium-scale businesses in the economy because of the large amounts of money that have been paid into their various accounts either as individuals or as business enterprises.

Investors and capital market watchers are one group in society that is better informed on this segment of the Nigerian economy. And the investing group of citizens are making millions upon millions of naira from their investments in the market.

Take Guaranty Trust Company (GTCO) Plc, owners of Guaranty Trust Bank, as an example. Having declared a dividend of 11.67kobo per share for her shareholders. And assuming you, the reader, have a shareholding of only 1 million units. #11.67k x 1m = to #11,670,000 less 10% withholding tax (WHT), you will be credited with #10,503,000 your dividend as return on investment (RoI) on 28th April 2026 payment date.

What a profitable investment/dividend payment season.

Balami, Publisher/Columnist. 08036779290

Companies: Season of Dividends Declaration and Payments for Her Shareholders Worth Billions of Naira

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