Witness To Gov. Zulum’s Tour of Borno South.

Witness To Gov. Zulum’s Tour of Borno South.

By: Inuwa Bwala

The essence of leadership is to know the problems of the led, gauge their mood and respond to their yearnings. Physical presence is therefore of essence, as it not only gives the citizenry joy, but it also speaks volumes about the affinity between leaders and the led. But either rightly or wrongly, ordinary people on the streets feel that, after elections, they seldom see those they elected again, and hardly get the opportunity to state their problems or feel the government.

This is the historic myth, Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, seeks to break in his frequent tours of the hinterlands.

To many people, Governor Babagana Zulum’s visit to select Local Governments was for the commissioning of projects executed by his Government. That  is not debatable, as it is on record that he has executed more projects within the shortest time, and with equitable spread. As such, for a people that never had it so good, the commissioning of projects was the climax of his visit, but as a witness to what happened on that tour, I make haste to state that his recent visit to the Southern part of the state in particular, has redefined leadership, as it was both unique and historic in many ways.

For some of the areas visited, especially Bayo, Kwaya-Kusar and Hawul Local Government Areas in particular, it was the first time a state chief executive spent the night in their domains. But far beyond that, it accorded the Governor and the people that elusive opportunity to have very close interactions, at which everybody had the chance to speak out their minds.

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Apparently aware of his style, people cluster in groups in virtually every community he passed through. And as Governor Zulum moved along the routes from Briyel through Kwaya-Kusar to Hawul and Shani, he took time to stop by every group, however small, to hear them out and made instant pronouncements on their petitions.

Those who did not have the opportunity to talk to him were given the chance to meet him in the night in the various lodges where he spent the nights  and had their issues promptly addressed.

During that particular visit, I often sat away from public glare observing things, and my conclusion on the tour is to the effect that, Zulum is quite idiosyncratic in style and approach, and seems to have captured the real essence of governance, which is physical visibility.

What particularly moved me was the simplicity and humility he displayed in relating with people. While maintaining that principled tough stance on lucklustre attitude to matters of public relevance, Governor Zulum availed himself to be spoken to in no hold barred approach and responded to issues with rare diplomatic candour.

Elders, youths, women groups, traders, party faithfuls, farmers’ clerics, motorists and tricyclists, local Government staff and many others had the opportunity to speak directly to him, even as he empowered each group.

At every stop, Governor Babagana Zulum did not hide his zero tolerance for youth restiveness, thuggery and general rowdiness, hitherto associated with public gatherings. He pointed out that the talents and energy of the youths are better channeled into productiveness and not wasteful glorification of political office holders.

To gauge the true mood of people over the visit, one needed to stay back, and the verdict was unequivocally awesome. Governor Zulum has come and gone, but not without conquering the hearts of the people and not without leaving behind  that nostalgic desire for another visit soon.

Witness To Gov. Zulum’s Tour of Borno South.