Zulum will go, but his legacy will remain

“For me to serve you, the good people of Borno State, has been the greatest honor of my life.”

– Zulum

Democratically, it is a tradition in any democratic system of government that power is transitory in nature. Constitutionally in Nigeria, after eight years, a governor or president must leave office so that others can come and demonstrate their patriotism and leadership style. For Borno State, there is only a year and a few months left for Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to retire. But the question is, what did the leaders of Borno state learn from him? Will his mandate serve as a mirror for young leaders serving the state?

What lessons will those aspiring to leadership positions in the state emulate from him, and will his legacy remain? Or will citizens of Borno State miss the Zulum administration?

However, whether you are a citizen, a leader in Borno State, an outsider or simply a reader, this piece will be useful to you because it reflects an exemplary kind of leadership and years of service to humanity, something that is hard to find in contemporary society, particularly in Nigeria.

Keeping politics aside and speaking from the standpoint of truth, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has taken some risks since assuming office, which no governor in Nigeria has ever taken. It is not about praising, but about highlighting the goodness and sacrifice of leaders who perform excellently to bring smiles back to the faces of those they lead. Such efforts are commendable. Why is this commendable? What happened after he assumed office as Governor of Borno State provides the answer:

Revamped Education Sector: Education, it is said, is the backbone of every society, and Zulum, despite the insecurity that plagued the state during his first term, built 24 new mega schools, some of them dedicated to technical education, and rehabilitated 108 existing schools. It has employed around 1,000 teachers and is recruiting around 4,000 more.

He has not stopped continuously but has continued to build mega schools, some of which were inaugurated a few months ago. During his inaugural speech, he said: “The foundation of education is primary and secondary school. When a student fails at primary and secondary level, it is unlikely that he will do well at tertiary level. To that end, I must say that some of our policies will be harsh.” It is not easy to combat insecurity and at the same time make such contributions to the creation of learning institutions.

Taking risks: When insecurity in Borno State was at its peak, Professor Zulum visited many local government areas and villages by road and not by helicopter or plane, demonstrating courage and commitment. To some extent, he was attacked repeatedly but escaped by God’s will. His friend Pantami recounted how Zulum spoke of such challenges. Zulum has done many things for the people of Borno State, and his leadership style is emulable by any leader in the State who wants to take him to a higher level from where Zulum will stop.

It is under his leadership that Borno State has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development. The three flyovers initiated by him, including one currently underway at the state post office area, are a testimony to this. Zulum built many roads and went further to rebuild the international livestock market, which now seems like a special institution.

In conclusion, the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has set a standard for governance in Borno State. His administration has demonstrated that, even in the face of insecurity and grave challenges, meaningful development is still possible through courage, commitment and people-oriented policies. His tenure is gradually coming to an end, the real question remains not only whether he will be missed but whether future leaders will be willing to uphold and build on the standards he set because no doubt his legacy will not only be measured by the projects he completed but by the inspiration he will leave for future generations of leaders in Borno state and Nigeria at large.