Governor Mohammed speaking during Governor Zulum's condolence visit in Bauchi
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has commended his Borno State counterpart, Prof. Babagana Umaru Zulum for his doggedness in fighting the menace of Boko Haram in the northeast.
He said these efforts have made the insurgents to evaporate from the region and as a result, the six states of Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe and Adamawa enjoy relative peace.
He stated these when Zulum paid him a visit at the Ramat House, Bauchi on Sunday to commiserate with him over the loss of his elder brother, Bappa Mohammed.
The governor’s elder brother, who was also the Yeriman Duguri, died last Sunday at the age of 69 at a Turkish Hospital in Turkiye after a prolonged illness.
The deceased was a Deputy Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria before his retirement about ten years ago. He left behind a wife, five children and two brothers namely: Adamu Mohammed, the Wakilin Bauchi and Governor Bala Mohammed.
The governor who eulogized Zulum said his efforts at restoring peace to the hitherto hotbed of insurgency in the country has made him the most visited by President Muhammadu Buhari who is proud to be associated with his achievements.
“I’ve worked closely with you, you are a young man, the youngest but the oldest among us. No wonder you are our Chairman, North-East Governors’ Forum, where you look at all the developmental challenges of the north-east and indeed, the country.
“You have really shown pedigree and leadership. I didn’t know you were coming (to Bauchi). That is the leadership style you are showing in Borno and in Nigeria.
“The courage you have, we try to emulate a little. You dare all the miscreants and the charlatans that are bombarding us. Today, even Mr. President has the pride of being associated with you. You are the most visited person by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that speaks volumes.
“Boko Haram has evaporated and we are trying very hard to make sure that we secure our jurisdiction, after you have secured where is the center of terrorism and violence,” Mohammed stated.
He added that: “We are proud of you, we are proud to be associated with you. Yes, we are the headquarters of the northeast and not Borno, although you always dispute that. But certainly, we know we have given you the leadership.
“When I was contesting for the presidency, I made sure that the northeast had a say and made sure that the northeast had a say in the leadership of this country. I asked this gentleman, ‘are you running? If you are running, I don’t have to run, because I know that you will do it better than me and still, I have that respect for him. I have done my own, maybe he will come and follow after us.
“Today, we have a presidential candidate and a vice presidential candidate. He is one upcoming hero and a person we respect immensely as a zone and the country.”
Speaking earlier, governor Zulum, said he was in Bauchi to commiserate with the governor, his family and the entire state government over the unfortunate incident.
He said: “On behalf of the government and the good people of Borno state as well as my family, I commiserate with you, I condole you over the demise of you elder brother.
“May the Almighty Allah in his infinite wisdom forgive and admit him in Jannatu Firdaus and may He give the governor, his entire family and the people of Bauchi state the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Unfortunately, the death occured when I was abroad and I wasn’t in the picture. When I was told about the incident, I said I and the governor are brothers and nothing would happen to him that I would not come and sympathise with him.”
