It is rare for chief executives of states to defy their comfort zone in order to fraternise with the people especially in war-like times. SADIQ ABUBAKARQ however narrated this exceptional step by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state last weekend in what many say is leadership by example.
To raise the confidence of 57,000 residents, internally displaced persons (IDPs) from three local government areas of the state, civil authorities, civilian JTF fighters, police and the military, Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, last Friday dropped his personal comfort and spent the night in Monguno, a town where Boko Haram insurgents allegedly took over and were being engaged in fierce battle by the military in order to retake it from their hands.
Incidentally, this was after attempt was made by the terror group to take over the town last week. Monguno town which is the headquarters of Monguno Local Government Area is located in northern Borno and it is about 60 kilometres away from Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area also within northern Borno where the military has been battling Boko Haram fighters since last week.
Governor Shettima was in the town from Friday to Saturday afternoon where he spent the night at the local government lodge. He travelled after resisting frantic efforts by aides and political associates who tried to discourage him from visiting few days after the sect was repelled by the military when they launched attack in order to seize the military base and takeover the town. Blueprint gathered that Gov Shettima travelled in company of his security aides, some soldiers, policemen and men of the civilian JTF.
He was also accompanied on the trip by the senator representing Borno North and chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Abubakar Kyari and APC’s governorship candidate, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, among others.
Shettima in defying over 24 hours of persuasion by his aides to stop his trip, reminded them and other political associates that Monguno town hosts about 57,000 fellow Borno citizens and fleeing citizens from Kukawa who joined last week as well as the people of Marte and Abadam Local Government Areas (both in northern Borno) that were yet return to Marte and Abadam since 2014, because the two local government areas were once upon a time theatres of Boko Haram insurgency. For that reason, the area now serves as operational bases/routes for both the Nigerian military and multinational forces, hence the government kept civilians away to prevent Boko Haram from trying to create human shields and from using international land boarders located around the two local government areas.
Governor’s justification
Justifying his reason for the sleep over, Gov Shettima said, “I will be failing as a leader if fear of any kind stops me from going to Monguno where we currently have 57,000 fellow people of Borno, amongst them women and children. We must go there to show them sense of belonging, to inspire them and build their confidence. Importantly also, the military needs us more than ever. They should see us, the leaders and feel our presence. There is no going back in my plan to travel and pass the night in Monguno. The same way we went to Gwoza and Chibok at different times and at the worst stage of the insurgency, for the funeral of the assassinated Emir of Gwoza and to meet parents after the Chibok abduction, is the same way we will go to Monguno. God will protect us”, he told some of his aides.
Places visited
During his stay in the town, the governor supervised the distribution of multiple trailer loads of food and non food items to residents and displaced persons from Marte and Abadam Local Government Areas living within host communities in Monguno. The governor also used the opportunity to visit camps and supervised another distribution of food and non-food items to fleeing residents from Baga and Kakawa, both in neighboring Kukawa Local Government Area.
He commiserated with the people of Baga, Kukawa towns and environs, respectively over the recent Boko Haram attacks, while also assuring them of government’s determination to address the unfortunate act which he said is condemnable.
Blueprint learnt that Governor Shettima sympathised with the victims and took his time to address them in their various camps.
While presenting relief materials to the people affected, he assured them of more supports from the government in order to alleviate their sufferings, saying, “Everything possible would be done to address your problem”.
The governor also visited the military personnel at King Nasara Barracks also in Monguno where he held meetings with the commanders and also interacted with the men in order to boost their morale. He thanked them for the patriotic efforts and sacrifices, saying, “The people of Borno will forever be grateful to you”.
Governor Shettima, while returning to Maiduguri, stopped at Gajiram, the headquarters of Nganzai Local Government Area to inspect mega primary schools, housing estates, and a general hospital, being constructed by his administration.
He thereafter proceeded to Gajiganna town in Magumeri Local Government to also inspect another mega primary school nearly completed in Gajiganna. It is worth noting that Nganzai and Magumeri are all part of northern Borno.
He finally departed for Maiduguri after making stop overs at the military, and civilian JTF checking points to support and inspire them
