News

ZULUM@56: Footprints in Leadership

Published

5 months ago

August 25, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

TRIBUTE:

ZULUM@56: Footprints in Leadership

By: Inuwa Bwala

At the risk of restating what has been said before, I say that, one of the greatest legacies, Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s current Vice President, left for Borno state, was in discovering the hidden potentials in Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and propping him up as Governor.

No doubt, Babagana Umara Zulum has been an excellent academicianbut I know that leadership courses may be taught in the classroom, but leadership qualities can not be learnt in the classroom. Education may refine personalities, but such attributes are essentially products outside academic learning.

Leadership qualities are personality traits shaped and reshaped over time, from ones upbringing, experiences, and exposures.

One cannot therefore say, that, even as a Professor of Engineering, Borno state Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum developed his leadership accumen from the academics alone. His early life played a greater role in bringing out the best in this leader servant.
Many people did not give him a chance in a highly sophisticated political environment like Borno. Not especially with his perceived lack of experience and the circumstances on the ground, where no citizen goes to sleep with both eyes closed.

But the story has changed since, and the virtual darkhorse: that Babagana Zulum was, has become the song on the lips of the people of Borno, Nigeria, and the International community.

If not because the tenure of political office is prescribed by law, many citizens would yarn for him to continue.
As we count down, beaming the searchlight for a successor in the next two years, the dilemma is who could fit his shoes and reach the raised bar.
I overheard him saying recently that, “I may not have succeeded in taking Borno to where I hoped to, but I am hopeful that God will bring somebody after me, who will do better than we have done”.

Those words, pregnant as they were, defines the type of leader Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zull, is.
He has proved bookmakers wrong and
there are very strong indications, that,he may have just begun ascending.

In the face of the serious challenges facing Borno State, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is only a matter of time before the state gets out of the doldrum.
Unlike others, Zulum does not need hired hands to tell his success stories, as the name of the Borno State helmsman is today the beautiful lyrics on the lips of most Nigerians, when you talk of leadership.

While some may say that, the security situation, cum the living conditions of most Nigerians leave little or no room for celebrations, those who may have witnessed the ugly days under which Zulum started to date, may agree with me, that we have every reason to smile.

Nigerians do not need to listen to, read, or watch Babagana Umara Zulum, as most of them are by now familiar with his leadership style. Ask most Nigerians on the street, and they are bound to single out Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, as one of the best. One can not fault the Governor either if he beats his chest, for making his mark even in the face of the daunting challenges posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Against the national outcry, that the problems of Nigeria oscillate around leadership, Zulum did not leave anybody in doubt from inception that, he would make the difference in leadership.

It is no longer news that, Borno has been the epicenter of Boko Haram activities in the last sixteen years.

It is also a fact that the chunk of the state’s resources, under successive regimes since the outbreak of the insurgency have gone into managing the situation and rebuilding damaged infrastructure but for the Governor to make achievements, even ahead of other, who virtually had no challenges, calls for celebrating him.

The creation of the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, RRR, with Zulum as its pioneer head, may not have come at a better time, and indeed, these Ministry has continued to make impacts, long after he left.

For a very long time to come, and long after he may have gone as the governor, the people of Borno state shall always pay tribute to the exceptional vision of Zulum and indeed his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Professor Zulum’s exposure at the Ministry of RRR, was not an academic course, but it may have prepared him very well for leadership and for the job of the Governor.

He assumed office with a clearly defined goal, which he combined with his passion for peace and development. In fact, those who often analyse his ten point agenda always focus on peace and development as the fulcrum.

Chronicles of his achievements will be quick to point out that, the immediate task Zulum set out to achieve on assuming office, has been the restoration of peace in areas most affected by the insurgency and the resettlement of displaced people to their ancestral abodes.

In doing this, Zulum embarked on agressive rebuilding of structures into which the returnees will settle, even as he pushes for the annihilation of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, by complementing Military efforts with civilian components, including local hunters, vigilantes and Civilian Joint Task Force volunteers.

I have said it before, that, Zulum took some very risksy adventures in visiting the epicentre of the emergency, along with the military, for which he has been attacked several times.
People often wonder where he gets the resources to undertake some of the tasks when they see him rebuilding communities and giving out palliatives to displaced people and returnees.

While it may be true that the hinterland had recently experienced a resurgence, it is also a truism that, a visitor to Maiduguri and major towns in Borno can attest to the rapid infrastructural transformations taking place under the governor. I have heard people refer to Maiduguri as the new Dubai because of the changing face of the ancient city.

Those whose job it is to compile Governor Zulum’s leadership report sheet will tell us the remaining story, but as he marks his 56th birthday and as he celebrates his midway journey as governor, I wish to correct certain erroneous notions and state that, the story of despair amongst citizens, as being painted in some quaters do not reflect the true situation in Borno.

I state without any fear of contradiction, that we have crossed the Rubicon, and the future of a peaceful and progressive Borno under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is a reality.
Happy birthday and congratulations to the people of Borno.

ZULUM@56: Footprints in Leadership

News

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River

Published

20 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River

By: Zagazola Makama

No fewer than 80 militants operating in the creeks of Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State have voluntarily surrendered their arms and embraced the state government’s peace and reintegration Amnesty framework.

The militants came out in large numbers from the creeks on Friday at Atimbo Rear Area under Operation OKWOK, within the Area of Responsibility of Headquarters 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army and is already being described by as a strategic breakthrough in the fight against coastal militancy and maritime crime in southern Cross River.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrender was the outcome of months of sustained military pressure combined with discreet dialogue involving community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

Two militant camps dismantled themselves in one coordinated move. The first camp, headed by ThankGod Ebikontei, popularly known as Ayibanuagha, presented 39 fighters. Four additional members, officials said, are expected to report in the coming days.

The second camp, commanded by John Isaac, alias Akpokolo, brought forward 41 fighters. His group, widely known along the waterways as the Akpokolo Marine Forces or “Border Boys,” had controlled large stretches of creeks linking Cross River to neighbouring coastal corridors.

Ten more of his fighters are also expected to join the amnesty process. In total, 80 militants formally stepped out of the creeks and into a state-supervised disarmament and rehabilitation programme.

The disarmament was not symbolic. A significant cache of weapons, equipment and operational assets was voluntarily handed over, illustrating the firepower the groups once commanded.

The sources said that items surrendered included AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, a Mark 4 rifle, a G3 rifle, multiple single-barrel guns, magazines, speedboats, high-powered boat engines, locally fabricated pistols and assorted military kits.

Of particular concern to security officials was the surrender of an explosive charge and live ammunition, which draw to the attention of the destructive capacity the groups had at their disposal. Also surrendered were machetes, camouflage clothing, tactical vests, knee and elbow guards, and communication tools, all of which painted a picture of organised armed groups rather than loosely structured criminal gangs.

For the Nigerian Army, the scale and quality of the surrendered items confirmed that the amnesty was reaching core actors, not just foot soldiers.

Brig.-Gen. P.O. Alimikhena, Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, described the development as a “confidence-building milestone” that validates the military’s dual-track strategy.

“This voluntary surrender shows that consistent operations, combined with constructive dialogue and strong collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies, can deliver peace,” Alimikhena said.

“We will continue to secure the environment while supporting lawful initiatives that reintegrate repentant youths and ensure lasting stability.”he said.

Military sources said the success in Akpabuyo followed intensified patrols, improved intelligence flow and engagement with local power structures in creek communities.

After the formal disarmament, the former militants were handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team.
They are currently undergoing profiling by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Muka Sam Hotel in Ikot Ansa, Calabar.

The exercise is designed to verify identities, assess security risks and determine eligibility for rehabilitation, skills training and reintegration support. Officials said the profiling phase is crucial to ensuring that only genuine repentant militants benefit from the programme and that criminal elements do not exploit the amnesty.

Akpabuyo Local Government Area sits along a strategic maritime corridor that links Cross River’s inland communities to coastal and cross-border trading routes. For years, militancy in the area has affected fishing, boat transport, palm produce trade and cross-border commerce with Cameroon.

Sea robbery, illegal taxation of fishermen, extortion and violent turf battles turned the creeks into zones of fear. The collective withdrawal of two major camps in one day is therefore both a psychological and operational shift. It sends a signal that militancy is no longer the dominant survival strategy for youths in the area.

The Nigerian Army credited the success of the Akpabuyo amnesty to what it called “effective civil-military collaboration,” singling out the Cross River State Government under Gov. Bassey Edet Otu for sustained political backing, coordination and logistical support.

Sources said the state government’s willingness to invest in dialogue, rehabilitation and youth empowerment made the option of peace more attractive than continued life in the creeks.

Beyond the powerful images of surrendered weapons and surrendered men, officials insist the hardest phase lies ahead. Reintegration, monitoring and economic re-engagement will determine whether the peace holds or unravels.

Headquarters 13 Brigade has reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating the gains, warning that while the door to peace remains open, security forces will maintain pressure against any group that chooses violence over dialogue.

They has urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that the breakthrough in Akpabuyo is not an endpoint, but the foundation for a safer and more stable Cross River State.

80 militants surrender arms, embrace amnesty in Cross River

News

Zulum Dismisses Claims of Favoring Candidates for APC Congress

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Zulum Dismisses Claims of Favoring Candidates for APC Congress

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has firmly dismissed rumours circulating that he has anointed individuals for executive positions in the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) party congresses.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the Governor described the claims as the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to cause disaffection within the party.

Governor Zulum emphasised that he has not in any fora endorsed any candidate for any party position, whether in Gwoza Local Government Area or any of the state’s 27 local government areas.

“Let me categorically state that I have not anointed any person for the position of Chairman or Secretary of APC in Gwoza local government in the forthcoming party congress. I wish to also stress that I have not anointed any person for any position in the APC congress in any of the 27 local government areas,” Governor Zulum stated.

He further called on party members to disregard the false information, saying, “I am calling on our party faithful and supporters to disregard the rumour as it is a calculated attempt to create disaffection and derail the party from its trajectory.”

The Governor instead urged party stakeholders to continue constructive consultations aimed at identifying credible candidates to be fielded for all party positions.

Zulum Dismisses Claims of Favoring Candidates for APC Congress

News

VP Shettima Arrives In Guinea For President Doumbouya’s Inauguration

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Arrives In Guinea For President Doumbouya’s Inauguration

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of President-elect Mamady Doumbouya.

The Vice President was received by senior Guinean government officials and members of the Nigerian diplomatic corps ahead of the official ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 17, at the GLC Stadium in Nongo.

The inauguration of President Doumbouya follows his victory in the December 2025 general elections, signalling the formal end of a four-year military transition.

The Vice President’s attendance at the inauguration affirms Nigeria’s leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its commitment to the restoration of constitutional order across the sub-region.

Under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, Nigeria has continued to position itself as a stabilising force, advocating for democratic governance as a prerequisite for regional prosperity.