Zulum: A Colossus in Modern Leadership

Zulum: A Colossus in Modern Leadership

By Ibrahim Balami

During the 2003/2004 academic session while studying at the University of Maiduguri, I was then a 200 Level student of Mechanical Engineering. And of course; just getting to be introduced to the real engineering world. I came across a young lecturer with an unparalleled zeal to transfer knowledge. Zulum possessed the knowledge any student would need as a starter in the engineering profession.

The first time I entered his class, I had a soliloquy on what could this man possibly offer? This was because he was still very young and most young lecturers then were not as steadfast in academics as we expected of them. However, there was something in his eyes that made him obviously different from the others. l was attracted to him because of that obvious dedication I saw in his body language. 

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He calmly introduced himself as Babagana Umara Zulum, a lecturer with the Agricultural Engineering Department (as we call the department).Adding that he will be taking us “Pumps I”, as there was no available lecturers in the department of Mechanical Engineering to take that particular course. That was the beginning of my encounter with the young engineer and now a leader per excellence, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. 

MY UNIMAID ENCOUNTER WITH ZULUM

Looking back at my experiences with him at that time, I can recall as our lecturer, how steadfast Zulum has been and to this day I can still see that steadfastness in him even as the number one man in Borno state. Indeed, that glitter in his eyes I saw the first time we met in that “Pump 1” class has not disappeared even with the flashiness attached to his office as Governor.

LINGERING DESIRE TO SERVE HUMANITY

What was that sparkle in his eyes I tried to comprehend? To me it was passion to serve humanity and to leave his fellow mortal better than he met them. Zulum takes patience to teach and not necessarily to lecture our class. He was always around and on time. He was willing to explain again when the students do not understand. When I heard Zulum was nominated for the position of Governor, I had the feelings that things are going to turnout for the better in Borno state. I feel a kind of peace, knowing that the “Mallam” I knew then in the Classroom will make a difference in my state. I was not wrong. Zulum over the last two and a half years or more has demonstrated the same zeal and passion in the government. For the first time in the history of  Borno State, we have a Governor who is leading well in all aspects of leadership and management. I recall watching series of videos of Zulum evoking leadership in the line of duty even in the most threatening situation just to make life better for the poor masses in Borno state. For the first time I am seeing a Governor from the conservative north eastern end of the country in jeans and T-shirt in the Savannah running around live bullets, leaving the comfort of his home and office, visiting Internally Displaced People, IDPs. In fact Zulum dedicated his first 360 days as a Governor, visiting his people even in the remotest of locations, and sleeping in the open field.

A LEADER READY TO PAY THE SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR HIS PEOPLE

Indeed Zulum is a true leader not afraid of death which must come to all mortals at the fullness of time. Taking over a government which has been badly affected by insurgency, he has been well schooled about the risks to his life and ready to pay the supreme price if need be. That is why he can be described as God fearing.

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I remember his famous words “I am not after second term, if God allows me to complete this first tenure Alhamdulillah ( I thank God). But for me as a Governor to keep quiet while 6 million population of Borno perish, it will never be good for me. It’s a covenant between me and Almighty God that I should be truthful to my people.” 

He made this statement in the face of the threats. When insurgents attempted his life in one of his trips to serve his people. What a leader? A selfless leader even ready to sacrifice his life for his people.

Leaders across Africa need to learn from Zulum, that leadership is a covenant between the leader and the led, made in the presence of the Almighty God. To be honest, truthful and serve even to the point of death is true leadership. Zulum has set a leadership standard for others to follow, and posterity will always remind the human race of the man Babagana Umara Zulum. In the words of the great poet William Shakespeare  he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus. And the real champion of the masses.

*Engr. Ibrahim Balami is the MD/CEO of IBBA 36 global concept and a fellow of the 2015, Mandela Washington Fellowship for young African leaders WMF-YALI

Zulum: A Colossus in Modern Leadership