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Tag: Kashim Shettima

  • Boko Haram: Nigeria at war, says governor

    Boko Haram: Nigeria at war, says governor

    Military deploys more troops

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima painted yesterday a gloomy picture of the war against Boko Haram, saying the resources of the military are not adequate to defeat the insurgents.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, he said that more resources should be voted to the fight against the insurgents as the situation has already degenerated into a war.

    According to him, Book Haram members are better armed and better motivated to carry out their evil attacks.

    But Shettima did not blame the situation on the military. He said they were doing their best in the circumstances.

    Said the distraught governor: “Well, in a nutshell, what we are being confronted with is that we are in a state of war. It is what I came to update Mr. President; the sooner we stop playing the ostrich and rise up to the challenges of the day, and marshall all resources towards visualising the antics of Boko Haram, the better for all of us.

    “But the bottom line is that we need more resources, more votes on ground. In all fairness to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and police, they are doing their best, given the circumstances they have found themselves in.”

    The governor went on: “But, honestly, Boko Haram are better armed and are better motivated than our own troops. And believe me, I am an eternal optimist as I have always said, but I am also a realist. Given the present state of affairs, it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram.

    “I made it emphatically clear to Mr. President that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated. Anybody who is following events in this country can attest to the fact that they have a very smooth sail overrunning communities, killing people. Have we ever succeeded in thwarting any of their plans?”

    “They went to Konduga and did what they wanted to do. They held sway for over four to five hours before they left. They were in Kauri, Idzge and I don’t blame the Nigerian military. Honestly, we the leaders should be held responsible for our failure in leadership.”

    He also said he was not aware of any threat by Boko Haram to launch an onslaught against the people if Cameroon assists the Federal Government of Nigeria to fight the insurgents.

    “I am not privy to such an information but the President has assured us that he will put in his best to see that the unfortunate tendency of the Boko Haram overrunning communities and butchering innocent souls is brought under control.”

    On the number of casualties, Shettima said: “In Idzge alone, we lost 106 people and they raided eight other communities. So, until I get back home, today or tomorrow, I cannot give you the exact figure. But some were hospitalised with very great injuries so I am afraid the figures might climb.”

    He said it was too early to start talking about elections in the state as all attention should be on how to ensure peace and harmony.

    “It is too early for anybody to talk about election when human lives are involved, power comes from God and He gives power to whom He will. I don’t care a hoot whether elections are here but I do care that peace is restored in Borno and the Northeast subregion. So, people should stop playing politics,” the governor added.

    Shettima spoke with reporters after briefing President Goodluck Jonathan along with service chiefs in the State House.

     

  • Shettima, Sheriff reconciliation meeting ends in deadlock

    Shettima, Sheriff reconciliation meeting ends in deadlock

    A reconciliation meeting between feuding Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and his predecessor and godfather Senator Ali Modu Sheriff ended in a deadlock at the weekend.

    Both political gladiators, according to sources, met in Lagos at the behest of National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The governor was accompanied to the meeting by Senator Ali Ndume, his Chief of Staff Abubakar Kyari, Commissioner for Local Government Baba Garbai and Babakura Shettima.

    A source said: “On arrival in Lagos, Shettima got a hint that Sheriff was already in Lagos and hence got wind of reason for the invitation as a result, he sent Senator Ndume, Garbai and the ANPP secretary to meet Tinubu and appeal to him to shelve the meeting give the governor time to return to Maiduguri and consult with his supporters but Tinubu insisted that the governor should meet with Sheriff because Sheriff had been in Lagos for four days in anticipation of the reconciliation meeting.

    Shettima’s representatives also told Tinubu that Sheriff is not sincere and only wants the reconciliation so he would penetrate the Government and work against the Governor ahead of the elections but Tinubu pleaded that the governor could still meet with him and that as a leader of the APC it was binding on him (Tinubu) to organise the meeting.

    Tinubu also told the governor it was up for him to make his own decision during the reconciliation meeting.

    Shettima and his delegation met with Sheriff and during the meeting Sheriff complained about some close aides to the governor he said he was not comfortable with.

    Shettima for the first time, opened up and told Sheriff the bitter truth about how Sheriff has been secretly undermining the Borno government, how he has been trying to destabilise the State’s restored peace by using his anointed governorship aspirant, Mohammed Imam and some other persons and how sheriff has also been running him down at the APC national headquarters despite his (the Governor’s) sincere loyalty to him as his godfather.

    Sheriff denied all the allegations but Shettima and his team disbelieved his position and the governor was visibly angry so much that he excused himself and left the meeting. The meeting ended in a deadlock and it was resolved that another meeting would hold next week in Abuja” the source said.

    When contacted, Shettima’s Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Gusau confirmed that a meeting between the governor and his godfather is scheduled for next week in Abuja.

    “First of all, let it be on record that governor Shettima didn’t start the fight in the first place; he was the one that was assaulted in his State in the midst of his convoy while he was going about rebuilding the State and reclaiming its lost glory and everybody believes the governor didn’t deserve that affront given the work he has been doing in managing the crisis in Borno by bringing about growing peace and yet, doing a lot of work in all sectors.

    The governor is always guided by reason, conscience, fear of God, loyalty to the people of Borno State, loyalty to his party, promotion of unity and cohesion in whatever decision he takes as a good leader. He is studying the whole issue carefully and the people of the State are praying for him and he will take the best decision in the circumstance”.

     

  • Borno gets caretaker committees

    Borno gets caretaker committees

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has inaugurated caretaker committees for the 27 local government councils.

    He warned them against misappropriation of funds.

    The governor gave the warning after they were sworn in by the Chief Judge, Kashim Zannah, at the Government House, Maiduguri.

    Shettima said the caretaker committee chairmen were chosen on merit and their commitment to the policies of government and programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said as the 2015 election draws near, the people should be mobilised.

    The governor said the caretaker chairmen should conduct council elections, despite the security challenges.

    “In the next six months, I implore you to fight poverty and unemployment at the grassroots and mobilise parents to send their children and wards to school.

    “You should visit schools in your councils and ensure that facilities and teaching materials are adequate.

    “You should set up ward committees, mobilise the people for political participation; and manage public funds prudently.”

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftain Affairs Babakaka Garbai said most of the council headquarters and villages were hooked to the National Grid as a step to overcoming the problems of electricity in rural areas.

     

  • 2,000 PDP members join APC

    2,000 PDP members join APC

    Over 2,000 officials and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

    The officials, who stormed the Government House, Maiduguri, said their council area had lost much.

    Declaring their loyalty before the state’s party leader, Governor Kashim Shettima, the defectors maintained that they moved out of the PDP on their own.

    They said: “We had to come to pay our allegiance to your party because we need basic things, which our former party could not bring to our people, despite the federal connections.

    “Mr. Governor, we need development and we know we will get loads of it from your party.

    “We are here on our own and not at the prompting of anybody.”

    Shettima assured them that the APC was the real home of progressives, who were out to make life better for the electorate.

    He said as soon as possible boreholes would be sunk for them to ameliorate their drinking water problem.

     

     

  • War of words over PDP’s future

    War of words over PDP’s future

    •Its rule worse comparable to slave trade, says Borno governor

    •Party does not want change- Atiku

    •Ex-Vice President to make ‘major announcement’ today

    •Whatever happens, we’ll win again-PDP chair Mu’azu

    A war of words raged last night over the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s elections with Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State saying that apart from the slave trade, no bigger calamity has befallen Nigeria than the 14 years of PDP rule.

    Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar whose majority of his supporters across the country are urging him to dump the party said the PDP is not interested in changing its way.

    He is due to make a ‘major announcement’ today on his political future.

    But the new National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, vowed yesterday that whatever happens, the party will win the 2015 elections.

    Governor Shettima told supporters of the All Progressives Party (APC) at the inauguration of the party’s interim executive committee in Maiduguri that the PDP has repeatedly failed to address the myriad of problems afflicting Nigerians.

    Citing electricity as an example, he said it was a matter of regret that the PDP cannot find a solution all these years with power generation falling at will.

    He said that the APC is out to deal with all such problems if voted into power next year.

    The governor described the PDP as a dying party with many of its key members in Borno defecting to the APC.

    He said: “Any one that matters in this state is with us now in the APC family, whether former CPC, ANPP or even PDP. I can tell you that there is no opposition in the state now because even Mohammed Goni is in the same page with our family”.

    The Governor told party stalwarts that the coalition which gave rise to the present interim executive was a ‘well thought out one’ after series of painstaking consultations among the different parties that formed the APC in Borno State.

    He warned party faithful that “we are living in a very interesting period which is why there is need for maturity, diplomacy, forgiveness and tact in handling issues that touch on the people.

    Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, a top member of the PDP, took to the Twitter yesterday to take a swipe at the party.

    The PDP, he said, is not prepared for change.

    He notified his friends and associates of his intention to make a major announcement today.

    He gave no details but it was gathered that he might be defecting to the APC.

    He accused the PDP of not recognising his worth.

    He said: “My friends, I shall be making a major announcement tomorrow (Sunday) and I will be sharing it with you.

    “Over the years, since I returned, the PDP hasn’t invited me to any party functions, even as a statutory BoT member.

    “I have also been kept out of the PDP National Executive Committee meetings and locked out of its caucus.

    “Even after walking out of the Special Convention to force changes, the party never contacted me. Not once. PDP doesn’t want change.”

    The ex-Vice President also said it was obvious that Nigeria might end up with a two-party state.

    He added: “Nigeria is inevitably moving towards a two-party system. It is time to make decisions on which ideological direction we will align with.

    “The interests of Nigeria override personal interests. We can only achieve personal ambitions by making Nigeria work first.”

    However, the new national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, declared yesterday that nothing would stop the party from winning the 2015 elections.

    He spoke in Bauchi at a civic reception organised in his honour by the Bauchi State government.

    Mu’azu, the immediate past governor of the state promised to provide a level playing ground for every member of the party to enable it win next year’s elections.

    He said that the PDP is working to ensure that those who win its tickets to contest eventually win the elections.

    He also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu during which he dismissed fears that the problems facing the party are insurmountable.

    He pledged to solve the problems by reconciling all aggrieved parties, and reposition the party ahead of the challenge ahead.

     

  • Boko Haram: Death toll in Borno, Adamawa hits 138

    Boko Haram: Death toll in Borno, Adamawa hits 138

    President: battle against sect ‘ll be more forceful

    Hours after Boko Haram struck in Borno and Adamawa states, grim details of the attacks emerged yesterday.

    The death toll rose from 74, which was reported yesterday, to 138.

    Eighty-five died in Kawuri village in Borno State, and 53 in Chakawa, Adamawa State.

    No fewer than 16 others are believed to be missing in Borno, it was learnt.

    Emerging details of the attacks indicated that the insurgents issued three warning letters to Kawuri community before they struck last Sunday, a survivor, Mallam Mohammed Tukur, said.

    Tukur said the assailants also destroyed houses, mosques and a market square, adding that they operated for six hours before troops arrived.

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima was in Kawuri yesterday, amid tight security, for on-the-spot assessment.

    He saw the over 200 destroyed homes that were and promised to rebuild them. He also made financial pledge to the victims.

    Shettima, who visited the village with a high-powered delegation, took with him a large amount of relief materials and foodstuff which he distributed to affected residents.

    Addressing residents at the palace of the village head, he said the rebuilding of the destroyed village would be a priority.

    He announced that each family member of the slain residents, would get N250,000 each, bringing the total cash donation to N21.25 million.

    Shettima said about 1,500 units of food items and other relief materials would be distributed to the victims to alleviate the devastating effect of the attacks.

    The relief materials include 600 bags of rice, 30 bags of beans, 300 bags of maize, and 200 of blankets, mats and cartons of Maggie cubes, drugs and hospital essentials for the community health centre.

    The governor said: “All the 200 burnt houses, mosques and market are to be rebuilt.”

    The rebuilding of the demolished houses, he said, began yesterday.

    “I am also going to compensate for all the destroyed property in this village, but not the lives of 85 people destroyed by these insurgents. They are not true Muslims; They continue to destroy people’s lives and property, without any genuine cause. As long as the insurgents continue to destroy your houses and other property, the state government will also continue to rebuild them, as you have no other place to go; and live in this state.

    “Security will be intensified in this village. We will deploy more troops and policemen, so that your lives and property are adequately protected from the insurgents.”

    An official, Dala Lawan, put the death toll at 85.

    Lawan said 53 bodies were given mass burial. He said more bodies were still being found, adding that some of the injured have died. He said no fewer than 40 people were injured.

    Many lay in the hospital in Konduga, the main town in the area, nursing bullet wounds and burns.

    Suspected Boko Haram members stormed the Kawuri village weekly market, Sunday night, setting off explosives, shooting people and razing homes.

    Kawuri is about 70 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The death toll of the attack on the Catholic Church in Chakawa village, has risen to 53, Chairman of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Mr Maina Ularamu, said yesterday.

    Ularamu said local officials counted 47 bodies, including those of two policemen. Many injured people are in hospitals, he added.

    The gunmen were armed with sophisticated weapons. They left after invading another border village, killing and maiming before fleeing to neighbouring Cameroun Republic.

    A resident, who spoke anonymously, said he counted about 53 bodies before they were evacuated to the morgue.

    Brigade Commander of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Yola, Brig. Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said he was yet to ascertain the death toll. He said the impact of the attack was minimal, adding that the military is on top of things.

    Residents said they were living in fear because more attacks could be launched.

    The spokesman of the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Rev. Fr. Raymond Danbouye, also confirmed that dozens were killed and buried after a funeral on Monday.

  • ‘Kashim deserves second term’

    ‘Kashim deserves second term’

    Bornu State All Progressives Congress APC) chieftain Alhaji Kadiri Rahis spoke on the challenge of building the party, ahead of the 2015 general elections. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE met him.

    That is the situation in the Bornu State APC?

    It is very unfortunate that a former governor of Borno State, who has benefitted so much from Borno politically with people voting for him on three occasions as senator and governor for eight years will choose to just destabilise the peace of the party. It is very unfortunate Senator Ali Sheriff was the governor for eight years. He handed over to his own son, Kashim Shettima, and whether we like it or not, he also handed over a very big crisis to Kashim Shettima. In 2011 when Kashim was sworn in, there was a bomb blast in Maiduguri and all the major towns. Small boys were carrying guns on the streets and everyone was in perpetual fear. Everybody under -estimated Kashim. Nobody believed he has the intellect and immense intelligence that he later came the former governor didn’t know he would turn out to be so intelligent and independent minded. Maybe, he would never have anointed him in 2011. But it is Allah that gives power. We cannot say SAS didn’t help Kashim in the governorship eldction, but SAS did not win his senatorial election. Allah deliberated brought Shettima to solve the problems of Borno because, if another person had been the governor, there will not be Borno today. The governorhas been able to unite the people of Borno beyond political affinities and party differences. Kashim is like our own small Mandela in Borno. He has embraced everyone, including those that openly opposed him within the ANPP and in the PDP. He is just 47, but Kashim has the wisdom of a 70 or 80 years old. He has a very large heart and he is extremely courageous. Some people mistake his compassion and simplicity for weakness. Kashim was always everywhere, including dangerous spots, sometimes when smoke was still billowing after attacks, risking his life. He was inspecting projects everywhere when people feared that he would be attacked. He is courageous. He is the leader of the APC in Borno.

    How has the APC fared under his leadership?

    Allah gave us a courageous man, who was able to manage the crisis he inherited, who brought stability to Maiduguri, Bama, Biu, all the major towns and many villages; someone who gave security unfettered access, someone who is always on top of situations that he didn’t create, someone whose passion for Borno has never been doubted by even the PDP. But, the former governor is not supporting him.

    But, why are the two politicians quarreling?

    It is about is 2015, the leadership of the APC and lack of sincerity. SAS was the governor twice. He is the only governor that has been re-elected. But, Kashim has performed well too. That is why he will be re-elected. Even, the PDP loves his leadership style. That is why they are coming to the APC. But, SAS is trying to block that re-election plan. For God sake. Borno has a lot of challenges. There are killings. Why should a person who enjoyed a second term now attempt to block the chance of his successor? what kind of thinking is that?What the people want is peace and they believe Kashim is giving them that. So, anyone that goes against Kashim is seen as the enemy of Borno people. This is the mind of the people. I have been in politics for many years in Borno and I know when a leader is popular and when he is not. If Kashim is not popular, he will not be moving freely in Borno, despite the security apparatus around him. When the late Mala Kachallah was not popular, we all rallied round SAS to unseat him. We fought that war for SAS, but today, we have seen a bigger war of Boko Haram and we don’t want it repeated. We want peace and Kashim is working for peace. We are feeling it. SAS and Mohammed Imam were able to come to Borno for a rally three weeks ago because Kashim worked and brought peace to Maiduguri. Mohammed Imam was a friend of Kashim. There was nothing Kashim didn’t do to support him when SAS was fighting him, but today, because of hypocrisy, he is the one fighting Kashim, thinking he will be the governor. In 2011, he lost the House of Representatives election.Who will vote for him in Borno?

    Could you shed light on this leadership tussle in Borno?

    The Kashim Shettima I know doesn’t give a damn about leadership. He is a very humble man. He is not power hungry at all. The APC in its guideline says governors are leaders of the APC in their respective states. Even, Umar Duhu, the Special Assistant to SAS and Interim National Vice Chairman, Northeast, said it last week that governors are leaders of the APC in their states. They are the people on ground. Even in the PDP, governors are leaders in their states and ministers are leaders in states where the PDP doesn’t control the government. Why should Borno be different? Why should the same Duhu want SAS to be the leader of the APC in Borno? Why is Fashola the leader in Lagos, even with Asiwaju around? We all expect SAS to be playing national politics; to help in setting up a Federal Government to make this country better. Ordinarily, Kashim Shettima wouldn’t mind conceding the leadership of the APC to SAS, but the problem with SAS is that there is no sincerity with him when it comes to politics. If two people know SAS better politically in Borno, I am one of them. I was one of his fo, if he is the leader of the APC, he will humiliate Kashim Shettima. There is no form of respect that Kashim doesn’t accord him. Even, his own son cannot respect him as Kashim is doing, if the son becomes the governor. Allah Kashim will be re-elected. But, if Allah allows SAS to bring in someone else, Allah just wants to punish him because whoever he brings will fight him within the first one month of his administration. Maybe, Allah wants Kashim Shettima get a second term without SAS to demystify SAS and remind him, once again, that he is not God. Only Allah has the kind of powers and permanence that SAS wants to ascribe to himself. Kashim Shettima is highly popular.

    Wheoever wants to find out should ask sincere journalists on ground or they should go to the streets of Maiduguri, Biu, Bama, Monguno and all the local government areas to ask people what they think of Kashim Shettima. I am telling you as a politician that Kashim Shettima will win Borno, even as the APGA candidate. I know what I am saying. I know when a politician is popular. I have always been a youth leader. I work with the youths who are the main political actors and I can tell where the majority of them swing at every point in time in Borno State. I have seen some people showing documentaries to show their popularity. when SAS was popular in those days, he never showed documentaries to argue that he was popular. He should be a statesman.

  • Car bomb kills 19 in Borno

    Car bomb kills 19 in Borno

    40 injured

    Governor’s, ex-governor’s supporters at ‘war’

    After a long lull, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was in turmoil yesterday.

    A car bomb killed 19 people and injured 40, according to witnesses.

    But, it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the explosion, which destroyed cars and caused panic in the city.

    The bomb, planted in a three-wheel rickshaw taxi, exploded outside the state television offices at around 1.30 pm (1230 GMT), witnesses told Reuters.

    “My men counted 17 dead as at 2:00 pm and they are still counting. I have instructed my men to go to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the state specialist hospital to verify if there are others,” said Borno Police Commissioner Lawan Tanko.

    “I saw two boys on the ground and their bodies cut into pieces. Two other cars immediately caught fire and I ran away because there was too much blood,” city resident Aisha Hassan said.

    Soldiers fired shots into the air to disperse crowds before cordoning off the roads around the bomb site, witnesses said.

    Dozens of youths, some armed with machetes, protested on the street after the attack, accusing politicians of failing to curb violence in Maiduguri.

    Yesterday was public holiday when millions of Muslims marked the birth of Prophet Mohammad.

    Also yesterday, the Commanding Officer of a Special Operative Battalion in Mubi, Adamawa State, Lt.-Col. Beyidi Martins, said the military killed 13 suspected members of Boko Haram in a battle last December.

    He said two notorious members of the sect, who had been on the wanted list of the military, were among those killed, adding that they were responsible for terrorising the ancient city and its environ.

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima condemned the explosion, which came at a time return of peace was being celebrated by residents.

    Shettima described the incident as “most cruel, evil and inhuman”, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Gusau.

    The governor expressed his deep condolences to the families and friends of all the victims and prayed for the repose of those who died and the quick recovery of the injured.

    He directed security agents to probe the incident, which resulted in a youths rampage that led to the breakdown of law and order.

    The governor also condemned riots in the last three days in the state capital, which he described as “unfortunate” and “avoidable”.

    Shettima directed the Ministry of Health to ensure proper medication for all those injured. The government is to bear all costs of treatment.

    The government will take firm measures to continually protect lives and property of citizens, he added.

    The governor met yesterday with the National Security Adviser in Abuja during which issues of security of lives and property of Borno citizens were discussed.

    Gusau said Shettima was expected back in Maiduguri yesterday. He urged all residents to remain calm and law abiding.

    The explosion followed a political crisis between ex-Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and Governor Kashim Shettima.

    Some angry youths also set Sheriff’s office ablaze.

    There has been tension in the last 48 hours in the state following plans by Sheriff to launch a political comeback.

    It was gathered that the explosion might have been a consequence of the attack on Sheriff at the Shehu of Borno’s Palace on Monday.

    Earlier on Saturday, some thugs suspected to be loyal to Sheriff waylaid the convoy of the governor who was on an inspection visit to the Maiduguri International Airport.

    The loyalists of the two leaders have been attacking one another since Saturday.

    Yesterday’s explosion came after one year of relative peace, with residents enjoying increased commercial and social activities and night outings in Maiduguri.

    “The youths spontaneously went on the rampage. They set ablaze Sheriff’s campaign office and went about destroying any campaign material bearing his pictures and those of his associates.

    The youths were screaming, alleging that one of those responsible for the explosion was captured and they fingered Sheriff as the sponsor. But this has not been confirmed by any credible authority.

    The youths matched on the residence of Sheriff’s father on Damboa Road, demanding his head. Soon, they sighted Sheriff’s convoy sneaking out of Maiduguri and launched a fresh attack, smashing most of the vehicles. Sheriff was rescued by soldiers attached to him. Sheriff reportedly called for two chartered aircraft and flew out with his supporters.

    Youths went to Sheriff’s house at the GRA, prepared to set it ablaze, but were repelled by armed security men guarding the expansive mansion.

    “They went about smashing vehicles of people believed to be associates of Sheriff. They made bonfires on streets in violent protest, promising to go after Sheriff any time he returns to Borno.

    Tension has rised in Maiduguri since Saturday because Sheriff wanted to inaugurate APC’s interim executives without the governor’s knowledge even when the party has vested the party’s leadership in the governor.

    Shettima rejected the move, but Sheriff insisted.

    The former governor organised political meetings and planned the inauguration but all the 10 executives to be inaugurated ran out of the state.

    Sheriff had also planned a visit to relaunch his campaign office on Sir Kashim Ibrahim road in Maiduguri on Monday, but the attack on him at the palace forced him to shelve the plan.

     

  • Borno to spend N178.5b

    Borno to spend N178.5b

    The Borno State government plans to spend N178.5billion this year.

    Governor Kashim Shettima broke the news to the House of Assembly in Maiduguri.

    Shettima, presenting this year’s budget, said N121.7 billion was set aside for Capital Expenditure and N56.7 billion for Recurrent Expenditure.

    He said the budget would be financed from a statutory allocation of N139.9 billion and Internally Generated Revenue of N30.8billion.

    Shettima added that capital receipts for the year were estimated at N121.8billion.

    “This Budget of Consolidation and Progress will make positive impact on the lives of our people. As a rule, all ministries and parastatals are to create jobs.

    “Citizens in benefiting communities are to be first point of consideration for local sourcing of labour, technology and raw materials,” he said.

  • My Governor of the Year 2013

    My Governor of the Year 2013

    It took only 30 minutes for Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima to qualify for the accolade, and his eligibility was perfected in highly remarkable circumstances. Shettima on December 15 reportedly departed from Abuja on a 7pm Arik flight to Lagos, where he was scheduled to participate in three meetings. A little over two hours after he left the federal capital, specifically at 9.15pm, the governor was having dinner at Mummy B Food Canteen, located in Onigbongbo, Maryland, Lagos, which he last visited some 20 years ago. He was drawn to the local restaurant with only four tables for 10 customers at a time by his love of amala, which he reportedly “missed so much”.

    So irresistible was his craving for the particular food, prepared in a particular way, that it was Shettima who gave directions to the official convoy, and he reportedly trekked to the eating spot in the company of two commissioners, his special adviser on media, staff of Borno Laison Office in Lagos and security aides. Interestingly, he was recognised as an old customer by the restaurant owner, Iya Moriya; and for his meal, he insisted on being served with the same kind of plates he was used to two decades ago. By the time he left the place at 9.45pm, word had travelled round the neighbourhood that a VIP was around.

    In significant ways, Shettima’s amala activity represents an enlightening metaphor for political leadership in a pluralistic polity. To start with, the 47-year-old leader born in Maiduguri, Borno State, in the country’s northern region, demonstrated that he was ethnically accommodating by his taste for food of a different cultural provenance from his own. Amala is a cultural dish popular among the Yoruba in the country’s Southwest region, and to have a northerner who would readily eat it without discrimination is a plus for Shettima’s pan-Nigerian credentials.

    Furthermore, it is commendable that Shettima remembered. Not only did he have a clear memory of the enjoyable taste of the particular amala, he also could recollect the route to the restaurant, even though he had not been there in years. It is striking that he even remembered the plates of yesteryear. More importantly, perhaps, he remembered that he had not always been a governor and that he had a past. His remembrance of things past mirrored his modesty, despite the context of high political office.

    In a manner of speaking, Shettima’s interaction with the restaurant workers can be likened to a descent from an Olympian height. It was a rare event that held lessons for the powerful. He certainly could have avoided eating in the lowly restaurant, given the fact that he had people at his beck and call that could have gone there to get a take-away meal for their boss. It is pertinent to wonder at the cost of eating in such a cheap restaurant, when he could have opted for a five-star hotel in the megacity, all at government expense.

    What was Iya Moriya’s recipe that made her amala so unforgettable for Shettima? His visit to the eating place must have made her day, not necessarily in financial terms, but on the psychological plane. Shettima returned to her restaurant as a governor, which was something to be proud of; and the happening may well have elevated her profile in the area, apart from giving her understandable bragging rights. By his association with the people, and his electrifying presence, therefore, Shettima scored well.

    For the avoidance of doubt, it is relevant to highlight Shettima’s education and exposure for the benefit of the narrow-minded who might consider his behaviour as perhaps informed by possible lack of sophistication. A Masters degree holder in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, and a former lecturer in the same subject at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, and a one-time top-level banker, he served as Commissioner of the Borno State Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and Commissioner in the Ministries of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Education, Agriculture and later Health before his election as governor in 2011 on the platform of the then All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), which this year merged with others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It is significant that Shettima governs the terrorised Borno State, which is currently under emergency rule imposed by the federal government, along with Adamawa and Yobe states, in a controversial anti-terror measure specifically introduced to check the murderously rampaging Islamic religionists known as Boko Haram. It is a reflection of his sensitivity that he lately overlooked his personal security in a visit to Bama local government area of the state, which is officially regarded as exposed to Boko Haram insurgents and the scene of carnage in recent times. At the palace of the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibrahim El-Kanemi, where he donated N100 million toward the rehabilitation of terror victims in the community, Shettima said momentously, “I took an oath of office as the governor two years ago to work for the people devoid of ethnic, religious and political affiliations. That is why it becomes a duty for us to share in your moments of grief.” It is noteworthy that his gesture tellingly contrasts with the rather detached attitude of the central administration on the contentious issue of compensation for casualties of the mayhem.

    In another defining instance, Shettima demonstrated understanding leadership during an unscheduled visit to Gen. Mohammadu Shuwa Memorial Hospital in Maiduguri, where he donated blood to an expectant mother in need of transfusion. According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Salma Kolo, “The governor was disturbed by the condition of the woman and wanted to help. He later discovered through the medical attendants that his blood group matched that of the woman, so he decided to help out.”

    Remarkably, in these days of self-described professional politicians who go to extreme lengths to remain politically relevant, it is food for thought that Shettima has a vision of his post-governorship years. “I have a Masters degree, but after the political interregnum I wish to go back and get a PhD so that one can become a true intellectual in the real sense,” he said, while receiving the governing council of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in his office.

    In the end, there seems to be a fine quality to his personality that should naturally dovetail with good governance. Regrettably, his story is the stuff of fantasy in the real world of the country’s largely unfeeling politicians.

    Dear reader, this column wishes you a New Year of blessings beyond your imagination.