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Random Thoughts On Gov. Zulum @54.

Published

3 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

NISER, NiDCOM Advocate Stronger Diaspora Policy to Boost National Development

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NISER, NiDCOM Advocate Stronger Diaspora Policy to Boost National Development

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), in partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has called for a more robust and coordinated diaspora policy framework to enhance Nigeria’s development prospects.

This call was made on Tuesday during a high-level validation workshop convened to review findings from a comprehensive diaspora study spanning six continents. The initiative aims to strengthen engagement with Nigerians abroad and maximize their contributions to the country’s economic and social growth.

In her opening remarks, NISER Director-General, Antonia Taiye Simbine, described the Nigerian diaspora as a critical national asset, noting that annual remittances exceed $20 billion—one of the highest in Africa.

She emphasized that beyond financial contributions, diaspora Nigerians bring valuable expertise, innovation, and international networks that can significantly enhance national competitiveness.

Despite these advantages, Simbine pointed to persistent challenges hindering effective engagement, including inconsistent policies, weak institutional coordination, regulatory constraints, and trust gaps between stakeholders.

She stressed that the validation workshop provides an opportunity to refine the study’s recommendations, ensuring they are practical, inclusive, and capable of driving meaningful impact.

Also speaking, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, urged a strategic shift in how diaspora remittances are utilized. According to her, Nigeria must transition “from remittances for consumption to remittances for investment.”

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the global competitiveness of Nigerians abroad, noting their contributions across key sectors such as healthcare, technology, and governance. She explained that the study’s findings would help shape a structured roadmap for diaspora engagement, anchored on improved policy coordination, investment-friendly systems, and technology transfer.

She further underscored the need for data-driven policymaking, adding that Nigeria must intentionally transform the challenge of “brain drain” into opportunities for “brain gain” and “brain circulation.”

Contributing to the discussion, representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) emphasized the growing role of diaspora professionals in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. Speaking on behalf of the association’s president, Dr. Bala Muhammad Audu, Dr. Idris Liman noted that innovations such as locally available in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services—once largely accessed abroad—demonstrate the impact of knowledge transfer from Nigerian experts overseas.

He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to fostering collaboration with diaspora medical professionals to improve healthcare delivery and reduce the need for medical tourism.

Participants at the workshop collectively stressed that sustained and well-coordinated diaspora engagement could be transformative for Nigeria’s development. The validation process is expected to yield refined, evidence-based policy recommendations to guide government efforts in integrating diaspora contributions into national planning.

NISER, NiDCOM Advocate Stronger Diaspora Policy to Boost National Development

News

UK Launches Creative Fund to Strengthen Nigeria’s Film, Fashion, Music Industries

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

UK Launches Creative Fund to Strengthen Nigeria’s Film, Fashion, Music Industries

By: Michael Mike

The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub has unveiled a new Creative Fund aimed at boosting local production capacity across Nigeria’s film, fashion, and music industries.

The initiative, backed by the UK Government, is designed to address critical gaps in technical skills, infrastructure, and access to modern production tools within Nigeria’s creative sector.

The fund aligns with the goals of the UK-Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Creatives Working Group, launched in 2025, and follows commitments made during Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026.

Speaking on the launch, Director of the Tech Hub, Oyinkansola Akintola-Bello, said the initiative represents a shift from policy discussions to practical action.

She noted that while Nigeria’s creative industry already contributes significantly to the economy, more support is needed to enable creatives to produce high-quality work locally rather than outsourcing key technical processes abroad.

Funded under the UK’s Digital Access Programme and implemented by Tech4Dev, the Creative Fund draws on findings from a 2024 study of Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. The research revealed that the sector employs about 4.2 million people and contributes roughly $3 billion annually to the country’s GDP, despite facing structural challenges.

These challenges include limited access to formal financing, heavy reliance on self-taught skills, and the outsourcing of high-value technical work outside Nigeria.

The fund will support projects across film, fashion, and music, particularly those with strong potential for scalability, job creation, and local impact. It will also help cover technical gaps by funding access to specialists such as visual effects artists, sound engineers, and post-production experts, as well as digital tools like content delivery systems and AI-powered production technologies.

Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa at Tech4Dev, Abraham Akpan,, emphasized that the initiative prioritizes inclusion by supporting women-led and youth-driven ventures, as well as underrepresented groups in the creative economy.

He added that the fund is intended to ensure Nigeria’s creative growth is backed by sustainable local talent and infrastructure.

Applications for the Creative Fund are currently open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants include creative companies, studios, production houses, fashion enterprises, and music labels with clearly defined technical needs and a commitment to co-investment.

The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s creative value chain and position the country as a hub for high-quality, locally produced creative content.

UK Launches Creative Fund to Strengthen Nigeria’s Film, Fashion, Music Industries

News

NESREA Shuts Down 30 Non-Compliant Facilities Over EIA Violations

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NESREA Shuts Down 30 Non-Compliant Facilities Over EIA Violations

By: Michael Mike

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), alongside members of the press, carried out an enforcement exercise in Abuja, sealing 30 facilities over non-compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements in the construction sector.

In a speech delivered at the briefing, the Director of Environmental Quality Control, Elijah Udofia, said the affected facilities were found to have violated environmental regulations guiding construction activities, prompting decisive action by the agency.

“These violations were identified through NESREA’s routine inspections and compliance monitoring activities. In addition, these facilities also demonstrated unwillingness to fully comply with regulatory requirements relating to environmental documentation and responsiveness to compliance engagements. Where regulatory communication is clear, time-bound, and evidence-based, failure to respond constitutes a serious breach of compliance obligations and poses risks to both the environment and public health,” he said.

Udofia explained that the construction sector, while vital to national development, poses serious environmental risks when safeguards are ignored, including improper waste management, building on floodplains, uncontrolled emissions, and unsafe handling of materials.

He stressed that NESREA’s actions were in line with its mandate to enforce environmental laws and ensure public safety.

“Environmental compliance is not a choice. The regulations are designed to prevent harm before it occurs and to ensure that construction activities are managed responsibly from the start,” he stated.

He added that the agency moved from engagement to enforcement after the facilities failed to meet compliance requirements or respond adequately to regulatory concerns.

The director outlined the measures taken by NESREA, noting that the enforcement actions were aimed at stopping or curtailing environmentally harmful activities, compelling compliance through regulatory interventions, and ensuring that corrective measures are implemented within stipulated timelines.

“These enforcement steps are consistent with the agency’s powers under the NESREA Act and the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011,” he added.

Sending a strong warning to developers and contractors, Udofia emphasized that environmental documentation is mandatory and must be submitted as required by law. He also urged operators to respond promptly to compliance notices and implement proper environmental safeguards on-site.

“Dust control, waste management, erosion prevention, and safe site practices must be integrated into project execution—not added after problems arise. Compliance is part of project success,” he said.

NESREA also reassured the public that its enforcement actions are based on evidence and due process, not sentiment.

“We will continue to enforce the law fairly and consistently across the country,” Udofia noted.

He further called for cooperation from stakeholders to improve environmental performance across the construction sector.

“While we enforce compliance, we also call on stakeholders to cooperate with NESREA. Communities deserve clean and safe environments, and developers deserve predictable regulatory processes,” he said.

The agency concluded that the enforcement action should serve as a clear warning, reaffirming its commitment to strict enforcement of environmental regulations, especially where violations pose risks to public health and the environment.

NESREA Shuts Down 30 Non-Compliant Facilities Over EIA Violations