News
The Pathfinder Clocks 56
The Pathfinder Clocks 56
Zulum’s age showcases life in years, not years in life
By Dauda Iliya
What matters in the life of a man is not the number of years in his life but the quality of life in those years. This should even be more applicable to leaders than to the led in all aspects of human affairs.
Every person entrusted with the responsibility of political cum public office should be rich in the capacity to uphold the trust reposed in him by his people, and discharge the concomitant duties and responsibilities to them according to their needs and aspirations.
As he ages on in life, counting the number of years he has lived on Earth, should savour satisfaction from, and build his inner peace with, his accomplishments that purposefully and qualitatively impact the life of the people whose affairs he, by sheer divine providence, has been entrusted with the management of.
How rich is he in the capacity required for the discharge of his political cum public office duties and responsibilities to the people? How much has he accomplished in the discharge of those duties and responsibilities on the scale of the resources made available for the purpose, surmounting all towering challenges, and how has he converted challenges to opportunities, obstacles to stepping stones, in the course of service to the people?
How has he towered above board in the conduct of public service? How much enviable value has he added to the service of the society according to the needs and aspirations of its people? How well has he performed in building and sustaining his personality as a compass in the search for guidance towards purposeful and qualitative public service?
How high and remarkably does he stand out among all other leaders, in person and personae, before and after him in the history of purposeful and prosperous service to the humanity?
All these considerations factor vitally in determining the quality of life in the years he has lived on Earth, not merely the number of years he has lived in life.
It is pertinent to weigh the present Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on the scale of these vital factors in determining the quality of leadership and public service to his beleaguered Borno State and its peoples, as he attains the age of 56 in life on Earth, Monday, August 25.
As a pacesetter, Zulum is the first Professor to govern the state in its history. To some, this historic educational attainment may not be striking enough to warrant any spectacular recognition that should enviably stand him out of all other personalities that governed the state before him.
However, to others, this educational attainment is remarkably striking, because it serves as the most-desired foundation for him to conceive, craft and efficiently coordinate the deployment of the most-relevant, most-potent and, indeed, cutting age programmes and projects desired for the rescue of an entity out of its epochal humanitarian crisis which, hitherto threatened to crush it out of existence.
Gifted with rare foresight and proactivity, Zulum has governed a Borno ravaged in all sectors by a global-scale terror and its attendant humanitarian crisis over the last fifteen years, steering it out of the global-scale turbulence it has been floundering in, and repositioning it for comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction for a prosperity that fast restores its pre-Boko Haram/ISWAP terror glory.
The pathfinding Zulum has purposefully and efficiently deployed his intellectual prowess to craft and drive sustainable reforms for the rapid resuscitation of Borno. The Borno Model of societal recovery he crafted earned him dazzling praises from the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
Most-spectacular of such reforms are the 25-year Development Plan, Borno State Strategy for Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement, the Borno Model for Peace, Reconciliation and Development, Transitional Justice Framework, under which he has closed all IDP camps that has littered Maiduguri over the last fifteen years, and returning the IDPs to their ancestral lands to rebuild their lives, with the prime purpose of fast-tracking the reconstruction and rapid growth of the state economy.
Faced with the stark reality that there is certainly no shortcut to the desired comprehensive restoration of the state in all sectors from the crisis, and such restoration cannot be achieved with hundreds of thousands of IDPs surviving on handouts from international donors and food palliatives by government, the Professor of Agricultural Engineering carefully coordinated the relocation of the entire IDP population to their ancestral communities to resume their farming, fishing and trading activities that built and sustained an enviable economy for Borno over the ages.
His foresight and vision led him to invest in the health sector, building quality healthcare delivery institutions, most notably the Borno State University Teaching Hospital, Orthopaedic Hospital, Dental and Eye Hospitals, and scholarship for hundreds of the state indigenes to train as medical doctors and other health related personnel.
Zulum’s six years as Borno State Governor are six years of purposeful leadership that reshaped state’s economic, social, and infrastructural landscape from the epicentre of insurgency to a hub for viable economic investments. Consequently, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) ranks Borno among the top 10 ranking states in the federation on ease of doing business.
This remark is contained in a presentation on ” Sub national ease of doing business report” by the project manager SABER secretariat Abuja Ms Aimeya Okpebholo.
His humility, generosity, perseverance, simplicity, resilience and, uncommon commitment to justice and fairness in the distribution of development across Borno State and, above all, his impeccable passion for good governance to rescue the state from the sticky humanitarian crisis breathe bubbling life to the years he has lived on Earth.
His exemplary passion for service to humanity has enabled him to write his name in gold in the pages of history with regard to leadership and good governance in Nigeria.
At 56, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State proudly exhibits that what should matter in one’s age is the quality of life he has lived on Earth in his given capacity, rather than the mere number of years he has lived.
Happy birthday, Your Excellency
The Pathfinder Clocks 56
Nigeria, China Seek Expanded Cooperation in Tourism, Heritage, Creative Industries
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and China have intensified efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in tourism, culture, and the creative economy, with both countries identifying the sectors as major drivers of economic growth, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people relations.
This commitment was reaffirmed at the weekend during the 2026 China Tourism Day celebration hosted by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCIN) in Abuja, where government officials, diplomats, tourism stakeholders, artists, and cultural enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the growing partnership between the two nations.
Speaking at the event, Yang Jianxing said tourism remains one of the most effective instruments for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening ties among nations.
He explained that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Enjoying Quality Tourism, Exploring Beautiful Landscapes,” reflects the increasing global importance of tourism as a platform for intercultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
According to him, both China and Nigeria possess rich historical civilizations, diverse cultural identities, and globally recognised tourism assets capable of deepening cooperation between their peoples.
Yang cited iconic destinations including the Great Wall of China and Mount Tai, alongside Nigeria’s Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Zuma Rock, describing them as enduring cultural symbols that continue to connect civilizations across continents.
He noted that several joint cultural initiatives organised over the years by both countries, including the Happy Chinese New Year programmes and China-Nigeria Cultural and Tourism Festivals, had expanded cultural exchanges through artistic performances, traditional exhibitions, and culinary experiences.
“These activities have not only strengthened friendship between our peoples but have also promoted the spirit of harmony, mutual respect, and cultural inclusiveness,” he said.
Yang further disclosed that China was prepared to deepen collaboration with Nigeria under the framework of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, with fresh opportunities expected in heritage preservation, tourism promotion, cultural innovation, and the creative industries.
He encouraged more Nigerians to explore educational and tourism opportunities in China while expressing optimism that more Chinese visitors would also discover Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, artistic diversity, and tourism potential.
Also addressing participants, Abdulkarim Ibrahim described the event as another milestone in the long-standing diplomatic and cultural relationship between Nigeria and China, which he said has continued to flourish for more than five decades.
Nigeria, China Seek Expanded Cooperation in Tourism, Heritage, Creative Industries
Zulum Lauds Peaceful Conduct of APC House of Reps Primaries in Borno
By: Michael Mike
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, has commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the All Progressives Congress primary election for the House of Representatives across the state.
Zulum gave the commendation on Saturday shortly after supervising the APC primary election for the Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal Constituency held in Magumeri town.
Hundreds of party supporters from the three local government areas gathered at the venue to welcome the governor and APC officials overseeing the exercise.
Speaking with journalists after the primary, Zulum said the process was conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the constitution of the APC, which allows aspirants to adopt consensus arrangements.
“We are here to witness the primary election in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution, which allows for consensus arrangements among aspirants,” the governor stated.
He explained that although three aspirants initially indicated interest in contesting for the party’s House of Representatives ticket, two later withdrew in support of the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Usman Zannah.
“We have three contestants vying for the position of the House of Representatives, but fortunately, under the consensus arrangement as enshrined in the constitution of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), two of the aspirants stepped down for the incumbent member, Hon. Usman Zannah,” he said.
According to the governor, party members and stakeholders from the constituency affirmed their support for the consensus candidate during the exercise.
Zulum congratulated Hon. Zannah on his emergence and praised the aspirants who stepped down — Hon. Shettima Shehu and Alhaji Mohammed Sanda Ngamdu — describing their action as a demonstration of unity, sacrifice and political maturity.
“I want to extend my congratulations to the candidate and the others who stepped down for him,” he said. “I also want to express my appreciation to all APC supporters and the people of Borno State for ensuring a peaceful voting process.”
The governor stressed that the consensus arrangement adopted by the party was voluntary and not designed to deny any aspirant the opportunity to contest.
“Under the consensus arrangement, the government of Borno State and the party have never taken a decision to stop anybody from contesting,” he explained. “Consensus is a voluntary option, and anybody who does not wish to go for a consensus election has the right to participate in a direct primary.”
Chairman of the APC Primary Elections Committee for Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri Federal Constituency, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, also confirmed that party stakeholders agreed on consensus as the mode of primary election.
He commended Governor Zulum for creating an enabling environment for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the exercise.
Through a voice vote, APC members from the three local government areas unanimously affirmed Hon. Usman Zannah as the party’s consensus candidate for the House of Representatives seat.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and APC national headquarters monitored the exercise.
Governor Zulum was accompanied by the APC consensus gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, Secretary to the State Government Bukar Tijani, and Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe.
Zulum Lauds Peaceful Conduct of APC House of Reps Primaries in Borno
U.S., Nigerian Forces Eliminate ISIS Second-in-Command in Joint Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
The United States has announced the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of the global Islamic State terrorist network, during a joint counterterrorism operation conducted with Nigerian security forces.
In a statement issued on Friday, Donald Trump said American forces, working alongside the Nigerian Armed Forces, carried out what he described as a “meticulously planned and very complex mission” targeting the terrorist leader.
According to Trump, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki had been operating from Africa and was considered one of the most active terrorist figures globally.
“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump said.
He stated that the operation was enabled through intelligence sources that tracked the activities and movements of the ISIS commander.
Trump added that the removal of al-Minuki would significantly weaken the global operations of the terrorist group and reduce its capability to coordinate attacks, including plots targeting American interests.
He also thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and partnership in the operation.
“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished. Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation,” he said.
Neither the U.S. nor Nigerian authorities immediately disclosed the exact location or operational details surrounding the mission.
The development marks one of the most significant counterterrorism operations involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in recent years against transnational terrorist elements linked to the Islamic State network.
U.S., Nigerian Forces Eliminate ISIS Second-in-Command in Joint Operation
Nigeria, China Seek Expanded Cooperation in Tourism, Heritage, Creative Industries
Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner Linked to Notorious Terror Kingpins in Katsina
Zulum Lauds Peaceful Conduct of APC House of Reps Primaries in Borno
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
