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

Scores killed in Boko Haram/ISWAP renewedclashes in Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forest

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Scores killed in Boko Haram/ISWAP renewed
clashes in Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forest

By: Zagazola Makama

Scores of fighters were reportedly killed in a week-long surge of violent infighting between rival factions of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) across the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the renewed hostilities erupted on Jan. 3, following a coordinated ISWAP raid led by two commanders, identified as Jundullah and Ibn Hataf, targeting camps loyal to the Boko Haram faction around the Ali Ngulde axis of the Mandara Mountains.

The offensive, according to the sources, was met with stiff resistance as Boko Haram elements mounted a counter-ambush under the coordination of a field commander known as Abu-Rijal, also called Ba-Sulhu. Dozens of ISWAP fighters were reportedly killed in the encounter, while many captured alive, with weapons seized by the defending faction.

Footage that resurfaced during the week and said to have been obtained by Zagazola Makama, showed captured ISWAP fighters being executed before other combatants, amid claims of victory by the Boko Haram faction.

While the video reflects the brutality that has characterised inter-group rivalries in the forested enclaves of the Lake Chad in Borno State. Heavy weapons including AK-47 rifles, a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG), an anti-aircraft gun and assorted ammunition, were
recovered during the initial clashes.

However, the balance of power appeared to shift days later. On Jan. 6, ISWAP fighters were said to have launched a retaliatory assault on a Boko Haram stronghold in the Sabil Huda axis, triggering a prolonged exchange of heavy gunfire that lasted several hours.

Sources said ISWAP forces eventually overran the position, killing at least 12 Boko Haram fighters and seizing additional weapons.

The aftermath of the fighting reportedly forced the relocation of Boko Haram families, women and children from contested camps to perceived safe havens around the Yale General axis.

Night operations were also said to have been conducted to track fleeing fighters, though no further confirmed engagements were recorded as of Wednesday.

The renewed clashes are consistent with a long-running rivalry rooted in ideological differences, leadership disputes and competition over territory, resources and fighters. Both factions, according to sources, are re-arming and repositioning for possible further attacks.

Scores killed in Boko Haram/ISWAP renewed
clashes in Mandara Mountains and Sambisa Forest

News

Zulum begins construction of 2 mega schools in Hawul

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Zulum begins construction of 2 mega schools in Hawul

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commenced the construction of two new mega schools in Hawul Local Government Area on Wednesday.

A 48-classroom High Islamic College is located in Shafa. It will operate under the accredited curriculum of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), designed to provide a holistic and modern Islamic education.

Zulum explained that the construction of High Islamic Colleges is part of his campaign promise, which will blend formal education with the study of authentic Islamic knowledge and allow learners to study digital knowledge, numeracy, literacy, and vocational skills.

The second mega school project launched by the Governor is situated in Marama and is aimed at expanding access to quality educational facilities across the LGAs by the Zulum administration.

During his visit, Governor Zulum also announced a plan for the recruitment of additional teachers, stating, “I am happy to lay the foundation of a mega school in Marama town. We are going to support you in all ramifications. In line with my campaign promises to deliver and transform the education sector, this government will construct a befitting two-storey building with 36 classrooms, in addition to other facilities.

“Due to a shortage of teachers, we must recruit competent teachers who are indigenes of Marama to teach in this school,” Zulum stated.

Zulum was assisted with the foundation-laying by the Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum visited the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, also in Hawul Local Government Area, a facility that was rehabilitated and donated by the State Government to fast-track the take-off of the hospital.

Governor Zulum also commissioned projects executed by Hawul Local Government, including a shopping complex and market stalls.

The Governor was accompanied by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South); former Deputy Governors, Usman Mamman Durkwa and Ali Abubakar Jatau; Hon. Bukar Talba (House of Representatives); the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abdullahi Musa Askira; members of the State Assembly; commissioners; local government chairmen; and other stakeholders from Southern Borno.
End

News

BORNO MECHANICS’ ASSOCIATION APPOINTS PCC COMMISSIONER AS PATRON

Published

3 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

BORNO MECHANICS’ ASSOCIATION APPOINTS PCC COMMISSIONER AS PATRON

By: Our Reporter

The Borno State Motorcycle, Tricycle and Generator Mechanics Association has paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Borno State Hon. Yusuf Adamu in his Office, during which he was formally appointed as the Patron of the Association.

The visit provided an opportunity for a robust and interactive engagement between the leadership of the Association and the Honourable Federal Commissioner. In his remarks, the Commissioner expressed appreciation for the visit and the confidence reposed in him by the Association. He used the occasion to urge members to, with immediate effect, take advantage of the Mechanic Village allocated to them by the Borno State Government by relocating their operations accordingly. He emphasized that the initiative was aimed at enhancing orderliness, professionalism, and safety within the sector.

The Honourable Federal Commissioner further admonished the Association to remain law-abiding and loyal to constituted authority, stressing that peace and progress can only thrive in an atmosphere of respect for the rule of law. He also charged members to uphold the principles of justice, equity, and fair play in the discharge of their duties, and to desist from any form of sharp practices, particularly cheating unsuspecting members of the public.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, the leader of the Association expressed profound gratitude to the Honourable Federal Commissioner for his warm reception, fatherly advice, and willingness to serve as their Patron. He assured the Commissioner that the Association would adhere strictly to his counsel, particularly on relocating to the Mechanic Village and maintaining high ethical standards in their operations.

The courtesy visit was rounded off with special prayers for peace, progress, and prosperity for the Patron, the Public Complaints Commission, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The event concluded with the taking of group photographs to commemorate the occasion.

BORNO MECHANICS’ ASSOCIATION APPOINTS PCC COMMISSIONER AS PATRON