Feature

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, GCON At 58: A Birthday Wish And A Call For Attention

Published

10 months ago

September 2, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, GCON At 58: A Birthday Wish And A Call For Attention

By: A G Abubakar

I wish to join the millions of people of Nigeria , Borno State and especially those from Borno South in wishing His Excellency a happy birthday. We pray to Allah swt to grant him a long, long life in good health and wisdom in the service of the motherland and humanity. This birthday, coming after the first anniversary of the current Administration, is significant in more ways than one. First, the take-off challenges associated with a new Administration, would have been reasonably addressed. Second, the government vision should have been gotten clearer. We wish you and the President, C in C, well.

The onerous task of leading a huge and diverse nation like Nigeria, can not be taken for granted. But for sure, you and your principal, Mr. President C-in-C is more than capable. History, experience, and the prayers of patriots are with you. May you keep doing His will, especially when it comes to justice and fair play for all Nigerians.

This humble birthday wish, Your Excellency, is also intended to draw your attention to the challenges of infrastructure deficits in your backyard; the Southern flank of Borno State. A state you superintended its affairs for 8 years in executive capacity and much more as a member of the State’s Executive Council (Exco). As the number two man in nation, you are in a good state to enhance your home base and also leave an enduring legacy behind if you could pay attention to the physical and social infrastructure decay across Southern Borno. A region whose electoral value cannot be taken for granted. Most astute politicians take pride in flaunting their complete electoral safety on the “home front.”
Southern Borno had been veritable part of the Borno political experience. Whether as a “one party” state since the GNPP era in the 80s through to the current APC or as a victim of the decade and a half Boko Haram insurgency.

However, Your Excellency, while Southern Borno has shared the pains of the State, the opportunities that acrue to the polity has been less reflective of this fact. The Gwoza IDPs in Cameroon are still there. The majority of the Chibok girls are yet to come home and the issue seemingly getting relegated.

Biu town believed to be the defector political centre of Southern Borno has its roads and water infrastructure in complete state of ruins. Your Excellency may be in a position to attest to this fact since information has it that you had a stint in one of the post primary institutions at Biu in the 80s. And might even be conversant with the popular “gauta da yaji” (spiced garden egg) delicacy, or take a few steps of what looks like the Ethiopian eskista-themed Waksha-Waksha dance!

The Biu Dam conceived about 40 years ago is yet to deliver a drop of water to Biu Town and environs. The vision of irrigation in the circumstance doesn’t arise as the domestic needs could not be met as a matter of priority. If the Dam had come on line twenty years ago, it would have been ripe for desilting/dredging. In fact President Obasanjo as far back as 9th, July, 2000. communicated the willingness of his government to partner with the Borno State Government to complete the Biu Dam, but to no avail. The state government has not been able to prioritise it with all seriousness.

There have been symbolic concerns in the recent past, Your Excellency, but be rest assured that it could only go as far. The supply system which is one of the critical aspects of potable water delivery, hasn’t been articulated. Your government shouldn’t allow the Biu Dam to become another white elephant project in the North East. So much hope and resources shall be at stake, needlessly.

As regards roads linking Biu, the town has literally and metaphorically been at a serious crossroads. Litera, ly Biu town sits on the intersection of two major highways. One, from North to South and the other East to West. The North-South highway links Damaturu the Yobe State capital via Biu to Gombi in Adamawa state over a distance of about 225 kms. Those old enough could vividly recall with nostalgia, the project signboards at Biu and Damaturu, reading: “Damaturu-Biu-Little Gombi” as the project and the FGN, its client. The defunct “Stirling Astaldi Nig Ltd” as the contractor.

The East-West connects Maiduguri via Damboa and Biu to Gombe town in Gombe state .It covers a distance of 202 kms. Biu is 117 kms to Gombe. A feeder road also branches of the Damaturu-Biu highway to Gunda, a border town near the Southern tip of Yobe state and some parts of Gombe state.

Your Excellency, these network of roads were constructed about half a century ago. Precisely, in the twilight of the 60s and early 70s. Eras that could be less demanding than now after the population and human-to-human interaction had doubled. Unfortunately, and regardless of the positive role infrastructure plays in regional and national development, successive governments left the network to go into a total state of dilapidation.

The one hour journey from Damaturu to Biu now takes more than three. The extension to Garkida-Gombi, the same thing. The Gombe to Biu, too, which should be two hours now takes more than three . The road from Biu to Maiduguri has been closed since 2016. Attempt to open it in 2018, couldn’t endure because of Boko Haram challenges and government’s half-hearted attempt to keep it accessible. A situation that emboldened the insurgents operating in the ungoverned space.

The national government’s vision that informed the Biu network of highways was to facilitate economic activities especially agriculture and livestock, plus general commerce. The South-North highway was meant to evacuate livestock and farm produce from the Mambila-Adamawa enclave to the Railway Station at Buni-Yadi and from there to the Southern parts of the Country.

There was also a cotton ginary in Biu, which, together with the ones in Gombe, fed the textiles in Kaduna and Kano. The link between Biu in Maiduguri was meant to shorten the travel time for local commuters and Eastern Nigeria-bound (through Jos) haulage of goods, especially from the Lake Chad zone. Your Excellency, all these, have but gone.

The people of Biu and most of the communities along the corridors of the now dilapidated highways have since become economically challenged over time. Widespread poverty has taken over. And the little so produced by necessity are traded with next door neighbours at ridiculous terms. The Biu area and parts of Southern Borno have been the natural food basket of Borno and other neighbouring states given its rich soil and abundant rainfall. The dearth of the physical infrastructure like roads have, however, denied the state the full benefit of the same. Especially in revenue and food self-sufficiency.

In Gunda, Your Excellency, people are forced to trade with enclaves like Ashaka and Ngalda in Gombe and Yobe states, respectively. Tons of maize and beans are taken to these markets before finding their way to Dawanau Market in Kano. Farmers in the South West part of Biu like Kwaya Kusar, Ɓayo etc depend on Gombe while those in the North East (Gwoza, Uba) go to Mubi and other markets in Adamawa.

Your Excellency, in view of this ugly socioeconomic development and also the need to relief the terrible hardships of the communities in Biu alongside with those along the affected highway corridors, you may wish to;

get the Biu Dam completed
reconstruct, (not patch) the Damaturu-Biu-Garkida highway
do all it takes to open and keep open the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road
construct the Biu/Miringa-Garubula-Gunda-Tattaba link road
put more effort in bringing back the remaining Chibok girls and
evacuate the willing Gwoza and other IDPs from neighbouring Cameroon and Chad to their ancestral homes. These are few among the numerous excruciating pains of the people.

Mr. Vice President, Sir, without doubt, you are in a good stead to address the humble challenges aforementioned and more. The capacity and support system are there to leverage. Your Excellency, you have a very capable and hard working governor at the home front. Borno State hosts the headquarters of the North East Development Commission (NEDC). You also have the NSA from the brotherly neighbouring Adamawa state

The Borno State team, comprising the VP, the Governor, Senate Chief Whip, the Senate Appropriations Chair, and other loyal legislators in the federal and state assembly, could not be more formidable. The team is also too privileged to fail. All that is needed is the political will and the compassion to do the right thing. A legacy mark is required.

Your Excellency, please, accept my assurances of highest regard.
A.G.Abubakar agbarewa@gmail.com

Vice President, Kashim Shettima, GCON At 58: A Birthday Wish And A Call For Attention

Feature

KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

Published

13 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

By: Inuwa Bwala.

Nobody is trying to force the Vice President Kashim Shettima on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a running mate in 2027.

While it remains Mr President’s prerogative to pick a working partner, it remains a fact that, he should have known the value of Kashim Shettima, having worked with him at very close quaters in the last two years.

Far beyond this, the President is so committed to his covenant with his vice and does not need the ongoing circus show to stick to it.

Those orchestrating for a change in the ticket are perhaps afraid of the evident cause for continuity, hence the desperation to create a make belief that the Vice Presidential slot is open for contest.

Several attempts have been made to drag Shettima and his supporters into needless controversies so as to make an issue out of their blind postulations.

And ever since I got the winds about plans to make an issue out of the perceived plot to substitute the Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 Presidential elections, I knew it is a matter of time for backlashes, as witnessed at the APC Zonal rally in Gombe on Sunday.

Reading the body languages of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and his praise choristers, everyone within the hall knew that, there was a grand conspiracy to downplay Kashim Shettima’s position in the endorsement: which was the primary motive for the rally.

And while the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje was quick to play safe sensing the possible consequences, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and the Zonal Vice Chairman Mustapha Umar were not so wise to recognize danger.

The governor escaped with jeers, but the APC vice chairman was not so lucky: he received the beating of his life from irrate delegates.
Those who try to link Borno state Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, with the mob reaction to the failure to endorsed Shettima were just being mischievous, as it was spontaneous

Those who witnessed it told me that, both Governor Yahaya and the APC Zonal chairman had ignored calls from delegates to recognize Shettima as an inseparable part of the ticket, which resulted in the jeers for Yahaya and the beating for Mustapha.
While it is not trying to justify the attendant violence and disruption of the rally, one should not fail to point out to leaders, the wisdom in harkening to popular demands at an occasion like this.

Of course, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State could not have done anything at the particular stage, even if they did not approve of the violence.
Common sense dictates that, as the political atmosphere becomes increasingly charged in the face of perceived plans to shortchange Shettima, who has endeared himself to Nigerians, speakers at such functions should learn from theGombe experience.

KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

Feature

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency

Published

3 weeks ago

May 26, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency
By Raphael Oni

The retirement age in Nigeria has sparked intense debate, with various government agencies and institutions operating under different retirement ages. This inconsistency raises concerns about fairness, equity, and the need for a unified approach. Recently, the organized labour sector, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has emphasized the need for a consistent policy across all government agencies and institutions.

The Current State of Retirement Age in Nigeria

Different government agencies and institutions in Nigeria have varying retirement ages, including:

National Assembly Service Commission: 65 years
Judicial arm of government: 65 years for judges
Foreign Service: 60 years for officers
Nigeria Police Force: 60 years for personnel
National Pension Commission (PenCom): 50 years, extendable to 60 years with approval

This disparity raises questions about fairness and equity. Why should employees in different agencies have different retirement ages? A uniform policy would ensure equal treatment and dignity for all employees.

Benefits of Harmonization

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria would bring several benefits, including:

Consistency and fairness: A uniform retirement age would ensure equal treatment for all employees.
Simplified administration: A single retirement age would simplify administrative processes and reduce confusion.
Improved planning: A consistent retirement age would enable employees to plan their careers and retirement more effectively.
Enhanced morale: A fair and equitable retirement policy would boost employee morale and productivity.

International Best Practices

Many countries have a uniform retirement age for public servants, such as:

United States: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
United Kingdom: 65-68 years (depending on the scheme)
Canada: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
Australia: 65 years (with plans to increase to 70 years)
Morocco: 60 years (with discussions to raise to 65)
South Africa: 65 years (new reform)

Proposed Harmonized Retirement Age for Nigeria

Based on international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context, a harmonized retirement age of 60-65 years could be considered. This would allow employees to retire with dignity and adequate pension benefits while ensuring sustainable pension obligations.

Agency-by-Agency Analysis

Foreign Affairs: Harmonizing retirement age would ensure equal treatment for Foreign Service officers.
National Assembly Service Commission: Harmonization would ensure consistency across all government institutions.
Judicial: Given the importance of judicial experience, the retirement age may be justified, but harmonization would ensure equal treatment.

Challenges and Considerations

Implementing a harmonized retirement age policy would require careful consideration of:

Pension sustainability: Ensuring sustainable and adequately funded pension obligations.
Employee morale: Balancing the needs of employees affected by changes to their retirement age.
Economic context: Considering the economic implications of a harmonized retirement age policy.

Conclusion

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria is a necessary step towards ensuring fairness, equity, and consistency across all government agencies and institutions. A uniform retirement age policy would promote simplicity, improve planning, and enhance employee morale. The government should consider adopting a consistent policy that applies to all, taking into account international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context.
Raphael Oni a seasoned journalist, Editor-in-chief of Diplomatic Extra, a Specialized Magazine

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency

Feature

WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER

Published

1 month ago

May 10, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER

BY: Yamta Bulama Bata Mshelia.

Amidst the very wide acclaim, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has been getting for his leadership style; a news item captioned ” Borno South Residents Urge Action Against Discriminatory Politics “, authored by one Ishaya Malgwi, writting on behalf of a self styled group; BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS, caught my attention in the social media.

In the said piece Ishaya Malgwi, the convener of Borno South Stakeholders: an amorphous socio-political group comprising mainly Southern Borno elites in diaspora, tried painting the people of Southern Borno as ungrateful for the present government in Borno state under Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

I had earlier read another write-up by Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, expressing appreciation to the governor for the numerous projects executed in Southern Borno: Biu in particular.
With Alhaji Yusuf Adanu’s piece, one would have been happy that contrary to Ishaya Malgwi’s postulations, the governor has done something worthwhile in the southern part and one can afford to ignore the Borno South Stakeholders under Ishaya Malgwi, but for the fact that as a stakeholder by all ramifications, and I am from Southern Borno residing in Biu, I could not resist the urge to correct the the erroneous impression being created by the so-called Borno South Stakeholders.

As a witness to some of the projects executed across Southern Borno which run contrary to the claims by the self styled group called Southern Borno Stakeholders, I have always had my suspicion about this group, which registered as agents of unity and development, but which has metamorphosis into an opposition: that does not see anything good in the government of Borno state.

I have interacted with so many people who were unsuspecting lured to join the group, most of whom opted out after realizing that it was more of a selfish self serving assemblage much more than a collection of development strategists.

I have also keenly followed their programmes and shall expose their real motives in the fullness of time.

I hasten to state that no governor, in the recent history of Borno state, has done what governor Zulum has done or is doing in Southern Borno in terms of development.
I stand to be corrected, but I am also aware that Southern Borno has its fair share of representation in the government, and I know that so many projects have been completed and are ongoing in Southern Borno.

I have made contact with like minds, and we are compiling the list of projects executed in each local government area in Southern Borno.
I am sure that, except perhaps those working in Ishaya Malgwi’s conclave, most Southern Borno stakeholders may not agree that we are mere onlookers on the political scene either.
It is needless to clarify that in Zulums government, the chairman of the ruling party is from Southern Borno: and one will wonder what political relevance Malgwi is talking about.

To my limited knowledge, I know that the Deputy Governor is from Southern Borno, the Deputy Speaker of the state Assemnly is from Southern Borno, the Deputy Chief of Staff is from Southern Borno, there is a Commissioner from each Local Government, except Gwoza and Chibok which had problems, there is a sizeable number of Advisers, SSAs, SAs and Technical Advisers from each Local Government and untill recently the Head of Service is from Southern Borno and many others.

I know, as a matter of fact, that many Southern Borno State indigenes have gained appointments through the instrumentality of the Borno State Governor.
We may concede it to Borno South Stakeholders as a right to express their opinions and orchestrate their sentiments because we are approaching another political phase, and the polity is already heating up.
But it is completely inaccurate to state that Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is running a government of exclusion to the detriment of Southern Borno.

We should learn to appreciate that which is good even when it does not favour us, just as we are previledged to also criticize.

Mshelia is an indigenes of Hawul Local Government.

WHITHER BORNO SOUTH STAKEHOLDERS: A REJOINDER