Governor Zulum will continue to impress Borno citizens, Nigerians – Yusuf Adamu

Governor Zulum will continue to impress Borno citizens, Nigerians – Yusuf Adamu

Many citizens of Borno state and those who are doing business in the state as well as those who work have brought them to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on Tuesday said they were particularly happy with the position of the Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on the restoration of power supply to the state. Governor Zulum had while presenting the 2022 appropriation bill at the state house of Assembly assured members of the legislative chamber and citizens of Borno state that his administration will do everything possible to restore power in the state in the next 30 days. 

NEWSng seeks to know more on the activities of the Borno state governor, his recent activities in southern Borno, his relationship with his deputy and the 2022 budget by taking on former Political Adviser to Ex-governor Kashim Shettima and current Senator Representing Borno Central, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu. James Bwala sent Excerpt:

Q: Governor Zulum during his speech at the presentation of the 2022 appropriation bill says power supply will be restored in Maiduguri in the next 30 days. This is what many people have been itching to hear but several attempts to bring electricity in the last eleven months did not come to be. What can you say about this?

A: Yes. During the presentation of the budget today, the governor made certain what his government intends to achieve in the next 30days. This is about the issue of ensuring the restoration of electricity supply to the state. This is one area that has been a major contributor to high prices of commodities in the state. That lack of electricity in the last eleven months has also crippled many businesses. Those surviving had to spend almost all the profit they were making to sustain their businesses. This has left many people to look for alternative business to engage in but still everyone needs the light as such the last eleven months has been a nightmare for Borno citizens who are coming out of a situation hit by the conflict running into 12 years.

The governor has spoken and I believe him. Perhaps he has not spoken in this manner in the past eleven months. Now that we have heard him speak that means he has already taken steps. Zulum has been very impressive since he came on board as the executive governor of Borno state. He has demonstrated a very unique quality of leadership. What he has achieved in the last two year and some months have been speaking for him not only in Borno state but also across Nigeria. For me, governor Zulum will continue to impress Borno citizens and Nigerians. If he said there will be power supply in Maiduguri in the next 30 days, I want to say that there will be restoration of electricity. This is a working governor speaking and I hope we would all give him the needed support to achieve this.

Q: Governor Zulum no doubt has been all over Borno state. Recently he was in Southern Borno where he spent days commissioning projects. Can you share your feelings on this?

Well, speaking on the visit of the Borno state governor to southern Borno where he commissioned many projects, I want to say that is not a new thing. I believe you can recall that he has commissioned well over 500 projects when he celebrated his two years in office. Governor Zulum is a governor whose tally by measurements and evaluation presented a very clear point of analysis compared to what is happening in other states across the country today. Governor Zulum is being celebrated even among his colleagues. For me, he is at the top on every occasion. 

I always said that Zulum’s zeal has taken Borno state to another level of development looking at his records since taking the mantle of leadership in 2019. I read your article on the former Borno state governor, Senator Kashim Shettima on how he gave  Borno state a leader that is making everyone proud to identify with the state. 

Also Read: 2022: Zulum presents N267.9 billion appropriation bill for…

I have also read comments by the President and Commander in Chief when he visited Borno state to commission projects by the Zulum administration. I read an article written by Mr. Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman on Zulum’s projects in Borno. I have chatted along with politicians whose integrity is not questionable. I mean those who are known to have put truth before them and what they are saying about the Borno state governor is as good as what is happening on ground.

Zulum’s visits to southern Borno is a testament that will linger for a long time to come. When he commissioned projects in the Biu local government Council. Many had thought it was done owing to his relationship with his deputy. Such a cordiality that speaks volumes in the way they speak and follow with actions. Of course, some thought Biu will only remain his concentration point in Southern Borno. 

But looking at each local government in the nine council areas comprising southern Borno, the governor has touched all with unassuming levity that makes him a champion wherever he went. You cannot fault him in Biu as you would not in Hawul, Gwoza, Kwaya-Kusar, Bayo, Shani, Askira/Uba, Chibok or Damboa. 

Q: Talking about relationships as you mentioned. How cordial is that relationship with his deputy?

Laugh. Cordial means they are more of friends than a Boss and his subordinate. As a stakeholder in southern Borno I can claim to the top of the mounting and shout this out. Indeed I can also say that his deputy, Alhaji Usman Kadafur, who is our leader in southern Borno is heartwarming in the discharge of his duty. Playing his role and doing it well endeared him to the governor. They are both dedicated to serving the people and share a lot of similarities in their approach to governance and generally towards giving Borno state the best that government can offer and to make difference by bridging the gap between government and the people. 

Q: Governor Zulum presented a budget today before the state assembly. What can you say will be different from last year’s budget presentation?

Well, If you go through the text of the budget, you notice that the government has proposed the sum of N267,921,484,000.00 for the 2022 fiscal year made of N172,535,634,000.00 for capital expenditure and N95,385,850,000.00 for recurrent expenditure which the governor tagged budget of ” Hope for post-conflict stability.”  This according to the governor was aimed at accelerating ongoing reconstruction of destroyed communities for safe and dignified resettlements, provision of livelihoods and social support to citizens, and ensuring the completion of ongoing projects. I think the 2022 appropriation is going to be a continuation from last year’s budget. I believe that this budget is also going to bring healing for the state. And if put to use like the 2021 budget as the review has shown. We are going to see more development in the year ahead. And like the governor said, four years looks long but it is actually short, especially when there is much to be done in order to return a state like Borno to glory. 

Governor Zulum will continue to impress Borno citizens, Nigerians – Yusuf Adamu