𝒁𝒖𝒍𝒖𝒎 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑩𝒖𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊: A “Father Figure” and Mentor who Brought Peace to Borno

By Abdulkareem Haruna

LONDON, UK – As Nigeria mourns the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London while receiving medical care, Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum offered a deeply personal reflection on the late leader, painting a picture of mentorship and an unbreakable bond that transcended political office.

Zulum, in London ahead of the repatriation of Buhari’s remains, spoke to journalists with a palpable sense of loss, extending his condolences to the nation, Katsina State, and the bereaved family. While acknowledging Buhari’s broader contributions to Nigeria, Zulum recalled the profound impact the former president had on him personally and on Borno State, in a region long ravaged by insurgency.

“This is very sad. It is a great loss, not only to the people of Katsina State, but to the country at large,” Zulum began, his voice tinged with emotion. He highlighted how Buhari’s swift action in addressing the Boko Haram crisis upon assuming the presidency.

“In 2019, Borno State was largely controlled by Boko Haram, but when he took over leadership of the country, he decided to transfer the military command and control headquarters to Maiduguri, thereby bringing lasting peace and stability to Borno State.”

Beyond the security gains, Zulum also credited Buhari with addressing Borno’s chronic power outages, a direct consequence of insurgent vandalization.

“It is under his leadership that Borno State, through the federal government, established an independent gas plant to supply power through the NNPC that produced electricity, especially in the city of Maiduguri and environs.”

The governor also recalled the personal relationship he enjoyed with the former President during latter’s second term between 2019 and 2023.

“To me, he is a father figure, and indeed a brother too,” Zulum said. He revealed an extraordinary level of access to the former Commander in Chief: “I had unfettered access to him during his time as the president, he has mentored me and I have learned a lot of lessons from him.”

This personal mentorship, Zulum implied, was as crucial as any policy decision. “We will continue to cherish him. And insha Allah, we shall continue the relationship with his family members. We shall continue to remember him as a good man that he was.”

“There’s nothing one can say rather than say he has lived well, and he has spent his life within the public service well. We pray that Almighty Allah grants him eternal rest and grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreversible loss.”