News

Random Thoughts On Gov. Zulum @54.

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Random Thoughts On Gov. Zulum @54.

By: Inuwa Bwala

At his 52nd birthday, I wrote a piece on Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum in which I made some philosophical allussions to trends in the birth of successful men in life.
Now 54, I have a very strong urge to reproduce that write up, with slight modifications in the order of narrative, but retaining the central theme of celebrating the man.
In that piece I wrote, that, “most successful people in life are often those who have known suffering, who have known loss, who have met failures, defeats and general challenges and have found their ways out of those depths of abandonment.
I am familiar with the adage that, “success has many parents, but failure is an orphan”and I feel that, maker of above statement seem to have Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum at the back of his mind.
Perhaps, there was no significant landmark at his birth in that obsecure Mafa environment, typical of a rural setting. There might not have been signs either, that, a unique child had been born. But as the saying goes, “The year you were born marks only your entry into the world. Other years when you prove your worth are the ones worth celebrating.
What people are celebrating today is not his birth, rather his rise from obsecurity to walk in the corridors of power and affluence. Here is a man who was born into poverty, unnoticed by the world , but who turned around his fortunes for the best through sheer personal efforts.
Professor Babagana Umara Zulum’s exploits in life today have given him so many parents and siblings, each of whom want to identify with him, not only on occasions like this, but all the time.
I dare say, that, from a humble but noble background, Zulum rose from the obsecure Mafa town of Borno State to walk in the corridors and pull the reins of power in a manner that is uncommon in the country’s history.
So, I woke up this morning at a labyrinth: with the urge to write something and be amongst the many fans of Professor Zulum, knowing today marks his fifty fourth birthday, but not knowing at which point to take off.
It is further compounded by the fact that, there is no language one can use as accolade on the Governor that has not already been used by others.
The story of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is no longer new; one unique thing about it however, is the fact that, behind the fine and impressive stories told about the man is a very expensive sacrifice, which many leaders may not be able to offer, for the service of other men and the country.
Professor Zulum’s life story often elicits emotions looking back at where he came from, compared to where God has catapulted him today.
No story can be more expensive than the story of a man who had to ferry firewood from the bush, serve as motor boy, commercial bus driver and performed other minimal jobs in order to survive and to pay for his way through school to the point of Professorship.
I could imagine as a young man, when he trekked in the hot sands of Maiduguri to attend lectures from where he worked for others on empty stomach.
Everytime I mention Zulum, I never fail to pay special tribute to his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima, whom God blessed with the exceptional foresight to promote his candidature. Many people did not believe Kashim Shettima when he told stakeholders, before picking Zulum, that he was giving Borno the best. Events have vindicated him.
Of all the sacrifices Zulum has to offer, the most expensive remains his offer to die, but so that peace will come to Borno and that his people are bailed out of so many years of suffering.
Fifty times they tried to take his life and fifty times he survived. At every instance, Zulum returns to the enclave where attempts were made on his life, giving people a sense of citizenship and offers of livelihood.
Very often, his lieutanants are reluctant going with him to some of the dangerous spots across the state, but very often too, such spots are his favourite places to visit.
I do not want to delve into his developmental projects, as I believe the compendium on his media outings has adequately captured that. I also know that documentaries have covered all areas, but I could not resist mentioning some of those attributes that stand him out.
I believe that Zulum’s successes are not measured by his accomplishments alone, but by the opposition he encountered and the courage with which he maintained the struggle for peace, justice and equity in Borno state.
These could be seen in many of his actions and utterances, which have also served as the compass for members of his cabinet and his other aides.
Perhaps, his quest for a peaceful Borno remains one of the legacies Governor Zulum shall always be remembered for.
His passion for the return peace and the relocation of citizens to their ancestral abodes remain uncompromising. This perhaps informed his often dangerous forays into hitherto very dangerous enclaves.
I would have continued, but that will take me into areas, I earlier tried avoiding, but it remains an irresistible desire to always join millions of Nigerians on whose lips the name of Professor Zulum as always been the sweetest song.”
At the time I was r one above piece, I read the Governor from a distance. Having come closer, as a council Chairman under his tutelage, it is almost irresistible praising him to near point of psychophancy.
His re-election for a second time: which a walkover remains the most eloquent testimony of the love his people have for him.
The second d stanza of his leadership promises to bring for more interesting stories.
I wish our Governor a happy 54th birthday and pray, that, the God who gave him grace to succeed and who saved him from the hands of those who wished him dead, will uphold him

Random Thoughts On Gov. Zulum @54.

News

West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference

Published

5 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference

By: Michael Mike

Leaders from several West African countries have agreed to pursue a new, structured approach to regional cooperation aimed at tackling terrorism, cross-border crime, and deepening insecurity across the sub-region.

The commitment was reached at the end of a two-day High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security held in Accra from January 29 to 30, 2026.

The meeting was chaired by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, with Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Joseph Boakai of Liberia leading their respective delegations.

Representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo also participated.

Discussions at the conference focused on the worsening security situation in West Africa, which leaders described as facing an alarming rise in terrorism and violent extremism. Participants noted that the frequency of attacks and loss of civilian lives now pose a serious threat to regional stability, economic activity, and social cohesion, making coordinated action unavoidable.

The conference followed earlier technical sessions involving Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security, as well as intelligence chiefs from participating states. Development partners, including the African Union Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside civil society organisations, contributed to the deliberations.

Leaders agreed that existing responses to insecurity have been too fragmented and largely reactive. As a result, the conference resolved to work toward a permanent framework for cooperation that would strengthen collective responses, improve information sharing, and address the structural drivers of insecurity across borders.

A key outcome of the meeting was a renewed emphasis on a human security approach, recognising that military measures alone cannot deliver lasting peace.

The leaders pledged to prioritise governance reforms, job creation, access to education and healthcare, and community-based peacebuilding as part of national and regional security strategies.

On counterterrorism, the conference agreed to enhance intelligence and information sharing, harmonise legal frameworks to support cross-border prosecution of terrorism-related crimes, and expand deradicalisation programmes while upholding human rights standards. Measures to combat trafficking in arms, narcotics, and persons were also highlighted.

To strengthen border security, participants committed to exploring joint operational measures, including possible “hot-pursuit” arrangements through bilateral or multilateral agreements. They further agreed to develop a foundational Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and security within six months, with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs tasked with leading the drafting process.

The conference also addressed humanitarian and climate-related challenges, recognising climate change as a factor that intensifies conflict and displacement. Leaders agreed to integrate climate and food security into regional peace planning and to work toward a shared disaster preparedness and humanitarian response framework.

At the close of the meeting, participants agreed to institutionalise the consultative conference as a bi-annual platform and to establish a mechanism for tracking and monitoring the implementation of agreed decisions.

The conference ended with a renewed pledge by regional leaders to translate commitments into concrete actions that safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen stability across West Africa.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu led the country’s delegation to the meeting.

West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference

News

Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold

Published

10 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have stormed the camp of a notorious bandit leader, Gwaska Dan Karmi, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, neutralising 20 terrorists and destroying the stronghold.

A military source told Zagazola Makama that the decisive, well-coordinated offensive followed credible intelligence that over 100 bandits had converged at the camp to plan coordinated attacks on communities and logistics movements.

According to the source, the troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes, conducted week-long surveillance before moving to intercept the terrorists.

“Contact was established on Jan. 31, 2026, as the terrorists advanced. They engaged the troops in a fierce firefight and attempted a flanking manoeuvre, but this was repelled by superior firepower,” the source said.

He said 20 terrorists were neutralised in the encounter, while several others fled with gunshot wounds. Follow-up operations, the source added, were ongoing to assess further casualties and recover additional items.

The raid yielded significant recoveries, including assorted weapons and ammunition, bicycles, food supplies, medical drugs, clothing, detergents and other logistics materials.

“The Gwaska Dan Karmi camp was completely destroyed,” the source said.

He noted that troops remained highly motivated, with combat efficiency assessed as strong and unwavering.

Troops storm bandit leader’s camp in Zamfara, neutralise 20, destroy stronghold

News

Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara

Published

10 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Army troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Police Command, have rescued an abducted man in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Jan. 29, when armed bandits invaded the residence of Abdullahi Isah Nagari on the outskirts of Tsafe town and abducted him to an unknown destination.

According to the source, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tsafe Division promptly mobilised to launch a coordinated rescue operation.

“During a thorough search of the surrounding bushes, the victim was successfully located and rescued. He was found tied to a tree with a machete cut injury on his hand,” the source said.

The sources added that the victim was immediately taken to the General Hospital, Tsafe, where he was receiving medical attention.

The source said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators, while security patrols had been intensified in the area to prevent further occurrences.

Army troops, police rescue abducted victim in Zamfara