By Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani
Professor Zulum does not need any introduction. He is glaringly one of the most discussed Nigerians today. Unlike many who have had the ardous task of leading Nigeria in different capacities, whether on a platter of gold or through excruciating circumstances, this seldom seen leader is making breakthrough in a state that is being referred to as the ‘theatre of War’, in Military parlance.
Leadership in its truest form is a very difficult task that entails a great deal of sacrifice, sagacity, brilliance and diligence among other salient features. Thus, only those who comprehend this and go a step further into employing all these features in practical terms should be rightly said to be voted into office based on merits.
This Professor of Engineering came fully prepared and has since won the hearts of not only his kinsmen, Borno indigenes or even those from the North East but also Nigerians from nooks and crannies of this vastly rich country with an array of cultural, religious and social indices from which many things are gauged.
So, for him to have won and continued to win the hearts of Nigerians unabatedly for his audacious, transparent, simple, noble and rare acts of stewardship in a speed even Usain Bolt would be very proud of is what, if continued which I hope he does, will be discussed by generations to come.
You may think I am being a little bit over confident. But then this is the reward that good leaders get and I am just one of many people with these thoughts. Dr Ahmad Idris, Probably, the first black man with a PhD in Cryptology went further to suggest the study of Prof. Zulum in our schools. ‘ Prof. Zulum should be included in our curriculum in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, as a special subject in leadership and good governance, for everybody to study. That is my take, he said.’ Therefore, this Prof. Zulum’s ‘tsunami’ may end up being one that will sweep across the length and breadth of this country in the fullest of time. And bring that much needed succour and progress in our country.
Am I already suggesting that Prof. Zulum Should throw his hat into the ring in 2023? No, I don’t mean that. I will be doing a great disservice to the people of Borno State who certainly need this rare Nigerian leader to continue to lead this state once aptly christened as the ‘Home of Peace’ but now having to grapple with the very deadly Boko Haram insurgency. Governor Zulum continues to defy the odds by directly providing the exact antidote needed to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists both physically and psychologically.
There is no gainsaying that Borno people will certainly want Governor Zulum to continue to lead this State that has been known to be a great centre of learning for more than 10 centuries in Africa which agents of darkness are trying extremely hard to put an abrupt end to.
Prof. Zulum being a listening, focused and pragmatic leader will only accept a higher office based on my assessment of his public conducts when he is certain is the best thing to do. So, Nigerians in the fullest of time: “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”
Before that I pray he succeeds in winning the battle against terrorism, reconstructing the state, rehabilitation of the victims of this deadly scourge which have ravaged Borno and indeed the North East for more than a decade. I have high hopes that he will succeed with the support of the armed forces, Borno people and to a large extent even vast majority of Nigerians.
In the end, may God protect, help and preserve Prof. Zulum as he strives to revive the economy of Borno, return the glorious old days and set Borno on the path of prosperity which he has already exceeded people’s expectations by commencing on a sound footing. Thus, this has brought admirers from far and wide for himself. For this uncommon Nigerian leader, the sky is the starting point!
Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani wrote from Turaki B, Jalingo, Taraba State.
