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ZULUM@56: Footprints in Leadership

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
Two commuters lost their lives as tipper rams into Keke napep injuring others in Maiduguri

Two commuters lost their lives as tipper rams into Keke napep injuring others in Maiduguri
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Two commuters have lost their lives while several others were injured when a tipper lost control of its break and rammed into their Keke napep in Maiduguri on Friday.
The fatal crash which occurred around the T junction overlooking the official quarters of the Commissioner of Police in Maiduguri has brought to the fore once again the excesses of tipper drivers in the Borno State Capital.

A Statement by the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Usman Muhammad described the probable cause of the crash as break failure.
In his statement he said that “A road traffic crash occurred at Police Commissioner Junction in Maiduguri on Friday, 3rd October at about 1854 hrs, resulting into two fatalities and eight injuries.
“The Crash involved a Howo truck, a Toyota Corolla and two other Tricycles at the Junction.
“The Cause of the Road crash was as a result of mechanical fault (Brake failure) of the Tipper Truck.
“Eight people (all Male adults) were involved in the crash. Two dead (all male adults) and 6 injured (all Male adults)”
The FRSC Sector Commander, Usman Muhammad said he had promptly dispatched emergency services to the scene to rescue the victims and provide medical attention to those who were wounded.

The FRSC authorities further noted that they have launched an investigation into the crash to determine the circumstances surrounding what happened that fateful day.
Meanwhile, the Sector Commander, urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such incidents.
The Command also emphasizes the importance of regular vehicle maintenance to ensure roadworthiness as a proactive measure to avoid such crashes.
Commander Usman
Muhammad who spoke with this reporter on phone extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery even as all the victims were conveyed to the Specialist Hospital Maiduguri for medical attention.
Bodies of those who lost their lives have since been deposited at the Mortuary of the specialist hospital, Maiduguri.
Two commuters lost their lives as tipper rams into Keke napep injuring others in Maiduguri
News
Two killed as suspected herders attack farmers in Benue

Two killed as suspected herders attack farmers in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two farmers following an attack by suspected bandit herders in Naka area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Oct. 3, 2025, when the victims were returning from their farm.
Sources said that one Odiua Oshinyo of Tse Adiagh, Naka, had reported to the police that his son, Terkimbi Gyaluwa, 25, returned home and narrated how they were attacked by armed herders while working on their farm.
Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Naka mobilised patrol and tactical teams to the scene, where two corpses were recovered and deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary, Naka.
Sources said joint patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks and ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
End
News
Two die in family dispute over traditional title in Niger

Two die in family dispute over traditional title in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast two persons killed following a violent clash over a family traditional title dispute in Gbajibo village, Mokwa Local Government Area.
Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Oct. 3, 2025, after a heated argument between Iliyasu Umar Sayidi, 30, and Ahmadu Isah, 25, both of Bukka village, escalated into a fight.
According to the sources , the two men engaged each other in a brawl and stabbed themselves with a dagger, inflicting severe injuries.
They were rushed to the General Hospital, Jebba, where they were confirmed dead on arrival.
Police operatives visited the scene, photographed the corpses, and deposited them at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The case is currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), sources said.
Two die in family dispute over traditional title in Niger
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