Northern Borno state has been one of the worst-hit in Nigeria due to the insurgency that has ravaged the area for over a decade. The zone has experienced untold hardship, with thousands of people being displaced and others paying the supreme price. However there is a flip of hope as now many communities have been resettlled and on the verge of picking up the pieces of their lives and livelihood. However, with the emergence of the fifth-term elected member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Chief Whip of the ninth House of Representatives as the senator for Northern Borno, there is renewed hope for the zone’s future.
Monguno’s election as senator for Northern Borno is significant because he has a track record of delivering on his promises and representing his people’s interests. As a five-term member of House of Representatives, he has been consistent in advocating the development of his constituency and Nigeria at large.
Monguno is a name that resonates with the people of Northern Borno and beyond, owing to his significant contributions to the development of his constituency and Nigeria at large.
Monguno’s journey to politics began in the early 90’s when he contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives. Since then, he has been a commissioner for different ministries in Borno state and re-elected four times to the House of Representatives, making him one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Nigeria, a feat that underscores his popularity among his peers in the legislature and earned him the respect and admiration of many, especially those in his constituency.
One of the significant contributions of MT Monguno to his constituency is his role in ensuring that the people of Northern Borno have access to basic amenities like water, healthcare, and education. He initiated and sponsored several bills and motions aimed at improving the lives of his constituents. One of the 53 Bills sponsored by Senator MT Monguno during the 9th Assembly is the Terrorism (Prohibition and Prevention) Bill, 2019, which he sponsored in the House of Representatives. The bill aims to provide an effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the detection, prevention, prohibition, prosecution and punishment of acts of terrorism and other related matters in Nigeria.
Another significant contribution of Monguno to his constituency is his role in the resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the zone. Monguno has been at the forefront of efforts to provide shelter, food, multi-million naira water projects and other necessaries for the newly resettlled IDPs in his constituency in addition to the concerted efforts by Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
Moreover, Monguno has been instrumental in the establishment and commencement of activities at the Federal Polytechnic Monguno, promotion of peace and unity in his constituency and beyond. He has initiated several peace-building and empowerment programmes aimed at fostering unity and providing opportunities to the people of Northern Borno and Nigeria as a whole.
The historical transformation in Nigeria’s quest for better oil and gas industry through the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill remains a critical effort of Monguno as the Ad-hoc Committee Chairman.
One of the ways Senator Monguno can salvage Northern Borno is by redoubling efforts in addressing the root causes of the insurgency that has plagued the zone. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of basic amenities are some of the factors that have contributed to the insurgency. Monguno should sponsor bills that will provide jobs, improve access to healthcare, and ensure that the people of Northern Borno have improved security to commence full fledged agricultural activities and most importantly support to farmers and exploring ways to rejuvenate the well known Baga fishing and trading, enhanced access to basic amenities like water and electricity in addition to network services in the hinterland Monguno and other areas.
Senator MT Monguno should also salvage Northern Borno by continuity of the socio-economic empowerment initiatives conceived by the lawmaker when he was Chief Whip of the 9nth House of Representatives.
Monguno should also work with other stakeholders to provide shelter, food, and other necessaries for the resettlled IDPs and initiate sustainable ways of promoting environmental conservation through planting of trees, among others, to address the growing deforestation, desertification and rekindle the beauty of the arable lands for more agricultural produce and sustainable development.
Furthermore, Senator Monguno should leverage his position to attract foreign investments to the zone. Northern Borno has vast agricultural potential, and with the right investments, it can become a hub for agricultural production and processing. This will create job opportunities for the people, reduce poverty, and contribute to the zone’s overall economic development.
This is achievable, looking at how Monguno stood firm at the Nigeria’s Senate to advocate the emergence of the Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio and other connections he has with the government at the centre in the quest to realise the Renewed Hope of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
In a nutshell, the emergence of Monguno as the senator for Northern Borno is a ray of hope for the zone’s development and the right peg in the right hole. His track record of delivering on his promises and advocating the welfare of his people make him the right person for the job. With his experience and expertise, Monguno should address the root causes of insurgency, promote peace and unity, and attract investments to the area. It is hoped that his tenure as senator for Northern Borno will bring about the much-needed development and progress for the zone and its people.
Umaru Yakubu Kirawa,
Maiduguri, Borno state
