‘Borno gov is our Muslim Personality of the Year’

THE governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has been named the ‘Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year 2019’ by Muslim News, an online Islamic newspaper.

A statement by the publisher of the newspaper, Malam Rasheed Abubakar, which contained this announcement, noted what it described as Zulum’s exhibition of uniqueness and excellence since he was sworn in barely a year ago as the governor of Borno, a north-eastern state which has been hard-hit by the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The newspaper had chosen the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for the award in 2018. It said the Sultan, who doubles as the president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), was so recognised for his consistent advocacy for peace and unity among Muslims in Nigeria.

The statement announcing Zulum as the winner of the award for 2019 reads in part: “The governor has done pretty well in the area of security, which he sees as his number one priority and, of course, in the areas of education, health, transportation regulations, economic and humanitarian support for citizens of different local governments in the state.

“As a former Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement under former Governor Kashim Shettima, Professor Zulum has continued his rebuilding of hundreds of communities destroyed by Boko Haram and likewise, finding a safe haven for millions of citizens displaced by the attacks which have since continued, albeit drastically curtailed by this current administration.

“The thoroughbred Nigerian professor, despite the daunting challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgency, has continued to push socio-economic developmental strides on all fronts. His years of service in different governmental capacities in Borno State were characterised by diligence, hard work and commitment.

“Zulum has declared a total war against the insurgent Boko Haram ravaging the nooks and crannies of Borno State. He introduced and recruited more hands in the (CJTF) with an increased salary in a bid to see the end of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“The governor is representing Islam well with his efforts geared towards changing the narrative with respect to politics and governance in Nigeria.

“Within the short period of his emergence as the chief security officer of Borno State, Zulum has contributed immensely to the growth of Islam with his show of keen concern in Islamic education and Islamic affairs in general.”