The Miracle Of Borno
By
David Jidayi
Monday, December 20, 2004
Modu Sheriff, governor of Borno State wins the heart of his people through honest leadership and radical programme of development
Borno people have over the years been grappling with leadership problem until the emergence of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the 5th democratically elected governor of the state. The electorate in Borno State had lost faith with the leadership. At a point they even resigned themselves to fate not minding what goes on in the state. The nagging question that always came to the mind of the few who still had faith in the system was who will bail Borno out of the woods?
The coming of Sheriff has rekindled the confidence of people of the state not only in politics but in the leadership with its attendant benefits. Even skeptics are no longer in doubt as to the glaring difference between the leadership of Governor Sheriff and what was obtainable before now.
Although most of his achievements are glaring, it is not out of place to recount some of the giant strides he has recorded within just 18 months. Unlike in the past when children often got knocked down by vehicles on major streets while searching for drinking water, it is a different ball game today as water is not only flowing in the state, particularly the Maiduguri metropolitan but new bore holes are being sunk in all parts of the state. To curtail delays in sinking such bore holes when contracted out, the Sheriff administration has purchased state of the art drilling rigs to enhance the job. Today, even doubting Thomases and those who did not wish Sheriff well have changed their perception of the man and are now hoping for better things for Borno State.
Unlike the situation before when the people of Borno State depended on the neighbouring countries such as Chad, Niger and the Cameroons for their health care needs, the coming of Governor Sheriff has changed that equation. New hospitals have been built and old ones rehabilitated. Comprehensive health centres initiated and abandoned twenty years ago by Maina Ma'aji Lawan, former governor of the state have been completed. They are kekeno located at Wulgo Ngada, Fidahyel in Bayo, Kekeno in Kukawa, Gunda in Biu, Ashishaiya in Gowza and Ngule in Askira/Uba local government areas. They have also been stocked with equipment and drugs.
Apart from the health sector, agriculture has received a boost. Irrigation schemes which were abandoned for decades have been revived, especially those located in Yau, Daya and Abadam. These irrigation outlets have helped in increasing agricultural production.
The "miracle of Borno" which has become a popular phrase in the state, is the transformation of desert region into a land of bounty by Governor Sheriff. Within a few months after laying the foundation stone of the Mairamri housing estate in Maiduguri, the 755 units have been completed.
Today, the "magic man" who happens to be the chief of staff to governor Sherrif, Saleh Ahmed Kida can beat his cheat for a job well done. The construction of the estate at more than N3 billion was financed without sourcing for any loan.
One of the greatest problems that had defied solution in the state over the years has been the issue of youth unemployment. The leadership played politics with the lives and welfare of these youths. Social life in the state, especially in urban areas almost came to a standstill as anti-social activities such as drug adiction, alcoholism, burglary, robbery and prostitution became the order of the day. The ordinary people resigned themselves to fate as no solution could be found to the menace.
When governor Sheriff promised the people that such vices will be eradicated by his administration through the provision of decent jobs to our youths, many thought it was a fluke. But true to his promise, Governor Sheriff created the ministry of poverty alleviation and youth empowerment, and to the surprise of even his critics, he released the sum of one billion naira for the take-off of the ministry. In addition to the take-off grant, the ministry also received more than N25 million for the procurement of equipment, material and 300 machines which were distributed to youths across the state.
Currently, more than over 5000 motorcycles of various capacity worth about N375, 000,000 have been, and would be subsequently be distributed to youths in state.
Emphasis has also been placed on the status of women, especially rural women who are living below poverty line. The best way to empower such women was to provide them with working tools to improve their conditions. To this end, 1,500 grinding machines worth N124, 000,000 were purchased and distributed to women across the state while dry season farmers were provided with 1000 pieces of water pumping machines worth N55, 000 for irrigation purposes.
Surely, the administration of Governor Sheriff has impacted positively on lives of the people of Borno State. The zeal and commitment with which he is governing the state has endeared him to Borno State people.
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