By Abdulkareem Haruna

It was a jubilation moment on Friday, Oct. 6, when Aliyu Lawan Buba, aka Bamanga, the recent nominee for the position of Commissioner from Gwoza local government in Borno state, was screened and confirmed by the Borno State House of Assembly. 

The screening took place during a special session where the Assembly members approved his nomination, following his appointment by the Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. 

Bamanga emerged as the popular choice for the cabinet position after a controversy over the credibility of an earlier nominee from Gwoza LGA  by Governor Zulum led to a reversal. 

Following his confirmation, Bamanga, amidst celebrations and music from the people of Gwoza, expressed his gratitude to the government, his party, the governor, and all leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for deeming him worthy of the nomination and confirmation. 

The 48-year-old UK-trained oil and gas expert expressed his gratitude for his appointment and confirmation as a Commissioner in Borno state, which came exactly 40 years after his late father was appointed as a cabinet member of Borno state in October 1983. 

Bamanga, the son of the late Ahmad Lawan Buba, said, “Being confirmed 40 years later in October is a very special moment for me and my family. I want to especially thank and appreciate our leader, Governor Babagana Zulum for nominating and finding me worthy to join his team to contribute to the development of Borno state.” koi

Bamanga also thanked the Speaker and members of the Borno State House of Assembly for their support and expressed optimism that with their blessing, they would together move Borno State forward. 

The Commissioner-nominee also expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, for his support and guidance throughout the confirmation process. 

Regarding his potential portfolio, Bamanga said, “Regardless of the portfolio, the aim here is to serve the people and bridge gaps. We implore everyone to not only give us the opportunity but to also pray for us to be worthy servants at the end of our tenure.”

Born on February 12, 1975, in Kano state, Aliyi Lawal Buba hails from the Kuranabasa Ngoshe-Sama ward of Gwoza local government area of Borno state. He began his education at the University of Maiduguri primary schools, then attended the Federal Government College Ilorin, and earned his degree at the University of Teesside in the United Kingdom.

With 24 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, administration, and business management, Bamanga has earned several qualifications and international training in core sectors of the economy. 

Known as a team player and bridge builder, Bamanga’s supporters believe he will contribute significantly to the work that Governor Zulum is doing in Borno state. 

Barrister Ali, one of Bamanga’s acquaintances, described him as “an example of a complete gentleman who is extremely honest, humble, and whose greatest undoing is his inability to make people unhappy.”

Several other supporters including the Gwoza Women leader, Hauwa Audu Likita; Leader of the Coalition of Southern Borno Women Association, Maimuma Aliyu, and Musa Garba, a youth supporter and coordinator all celebrated the nominee’s appointment even as they all expressed confidence that his choice was a good omen to the people of Gwoza and southern Borno in general.