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H.E Bala Mohammed Still In The Business of Doing Great Things
By Engr.Saleh Alhassan
On Tuesday, 5th September 2023, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed announced the appointment of 17 special advisers. Among them are the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Abdullahi Badejo as his Special Adviser, farmers and herders matters, and Dr. Ahmed Adamu Chiroma, as his chief security adviser.
The Governor, through the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhktar Gidado, described those appointed as highly accomplished and dedicated professionals that will provide guidance and support in key government operations.
Their appointments are to re-invigorate the machinery of government and further strengthen Governor Mohammed’s administration’s commitment to delivering on his promises and enhancing good governance in the State.
Alh. Abdullahi Bello Bodejo(LamidoFulbe) is indeed a unifier and could get things done. And with his current appointment, I am of a strong view that the herders/farmers crisis be a thing of the past.
It is equally higly commendable the Governor’s appointment of Captain Ahmed Adamu Chiroma (rtd) as his chief security adviser. Throughout his military career, Captain Ahmed A. Chiroma’s strong stance on integrity and distinction led him to play key roles on three coveted presidential task forces, small arms and ammunition recovery, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft and trade malpractices and financial crimes respectively. He also worked in the military special investigative bureau investigating financial and corrupt practices, and instilling general discipline in all armed forces. Even in civilian life, he served as group director of the current presidential security during the recent elections and is a current member of the presidential security advisory committee.
There is no gain saying that Bauchi State is on the rising under Senator Bala Mohammed. It is a common knowledge that Governor Bala Mohammed has demonstrated leadership since he took over the mantle of leadership in Bauchi State. He has proven that the interest of his people matters more than anything. As a pathfinder, Governor Mohammed has continued to beat path for others to follow.
Apart from providence, Governor Bala Mohammed’s phenomenal rise cannot be by accident. Excellence, it is said, destroys prejudice. When a man knows his onions and does everything with midas touch, it won’t be difficult to attract the favour of kings.
Governor Bala Mohammed epitomizes the qualities of a good leader as described by former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, who once said, “almost everybody can say yes. The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to say” no”, when he should”. He never hesitates to say” no”, where he should. This has helped him a great deal, to deliver quality services to humanity, wherever he finds himself. Little wonder he earned public trust for himself, which has catapulted into his resounding victory in the 2019 and in the 2023 Bauchi State governorship election. In Nigeria’s political templates, it is an uphill task to defeat an incumbent governor in an election. Senator Mohammed achieved it like a walk in the park with two hands in the pocket. Like a time-tested saying goes: “the reward for good work, is more work”. No wander he got a resounding victory in 2023 governorship election. Despite the gang up against him by the elites, the masses came out enmas to give him the second term. There is no argument; Bauchi State has never had it so good like this time. For the parliamentarian, politician, philanthropist and development guru called Bala Mohammed, delivering on a mandate comes natural to him. He doesn’t struggle to get things done in the right way because he possess the capacity, courage and supporting energy to deliver. He is always on the run “walking the talk.” As a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria between 2007 and 2010, Bala Mohammed represented his people with guts and astuteness. Like always, he shown like a million stars that have no hiding place. It was not a surprise that shortly after leaving the hallow chamber of the National Assembly, he was appointed minister. The Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed is taking bold steps towards ensuring that his good people enjoy the dividends of democracy and his State; Bauchi State attains the highest height.
With Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed as the sixth democratically elected governor of Bauchi state, the state is wearing a new look in view of the unprecedented achievements being recorded in areas of infrastructure and other aspects of human capital development.
Prior to twenty nine May twenty nineteen when he took over the mantle of leadership, the state had suffered decay in various sectors of Health, Agriculture, access to potable water and above all, education, where the United Nations declared Bauchi as the state with high rate of out of school children in the country. But, the exemplary leadership style of the result oriented governor has changed the narrative through careful deployment of the lean internally generated revenue and the state’s federal allocations to the critical sectors of need and attracting both local and international commendations.
His ears are annexed to the microphones of his people. This he does with all sense of humility and responsibility to the ideals and zeal of the over five million population of the state.
Only good leaders who feel for their people like Governor Bala Mohammed mingle with the people to find out their problems and respond appropriately. In short, His Excellency Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed does not operate on the dejected value of ‘felt needs.’ He listens to his people. He asks them about their choices. He defends their bias.
Indeed, posterity will not forgive history annals provided they don’t chronicle the values and believes of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for the unborn generations to tape and apply to their situations.
Engr.Saleh Alhassan FIMC ,ChMC
Is the National Secretary Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-Cultural Association.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has announced that more than 4,000 women have benefited from the Federal Government’s free Cesarean section (C-section) initiative since its inauguration.
Pate disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a media conference marking the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality,” with the slogan “Care for Moms, Hope for the Babies.”
Celebrated annually on April 11, Safe Motherhood Day aims to raise awareness about maternal health.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in November 2024, Pate revealed that the Federal Government would offer free C-sections for all women in need, as part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality.
This initiative is part of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project, which aims to improve access to quality healthcare and reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Pate emphasized that the government was committed to ensuring no woman dies during childbirth and that every newborn receives the care and dignity they deserve.
He outlined several ongoing government efforts to ensure safe deliveries, including the Health Sector Renewal Investment initiative, which addressed long-standing challenges in the health system.
“Under this initiative, we have strengthened the Primary Health Care system to ensure better access to quality maternal, newborn, and child health services.
“We are scaling up Comprehensive Emergency Maternal, Obstetric, and Newborn Care, especially for indigent and vulnerable populations.
“More than 4,000 women have already received cesarean sections, treated, and reimbursed through the National Health Insurance Authority’s emergency obstetric care programme,” Pate explained.
He said that the government had also expanded coverage of skilled birth attendants in underserved areas and broadened health insurance coverage.
“The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System has been strengthened, with 23 states empaneled.
“Additionally, the Free Fistula Programme, offering free repair, care, and transportation, is currently active in 15 facilities.”
Pate noted that these reforms were already showing positive results, with improved health indicators in several states.
Addressing the theme of Safe Motherhood Day, Pate called on all Nigerians to take responsibility for ensuring safer childbirth for every woman, regardless of her background or location.
Country Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Walter Mulombo, also spoke on behalf of development partners.
He emphasised that safe motherhood started with comprehensive health security and called for continued investment in maternal and newborn health services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
He urged the government to enact and uphold laws that would protect women’s and children’s health rights, including maternity protection and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The event culminated in the launch of key policy and guideline documents aimed at advancing safe motherhood.
These included the Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024-2028), Guidelines for Managing Postpartum Hemorrhage, Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Guidelines, Essential Gynaecological Skills Manuals, and the National Training Manual for Obstetric Fistula Management.
NAN also reports that these documents underscore the government’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centered health system that proactively addresses maternal health challenges.(NAN)
Zamfara State Elders Forum has criticised Governor Dauda Lawal Dare for attempting to take credit for recent security improvements in the region, accusing him of political opportunism and failing to deliver on campaign promises.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Zamfara Elders Forum, through its secretary Dr Alhaji Umaru Yusuf Tsafe, described the governor’s actions as “misleading” and a display of “inconsistency and opportunism.”
The group alleged that Lawal had reneged on his 2023 election pledge to end insecurity in Zamfara within a month, instead shifting blame to the federal government when the situation worsened under his leadership.
“Governor Lawal rode into office on the back of promises he has completely failed to deliver,” Tsafe said, noting that the governor had previously campaigned by blaming his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, for the state’s insecurity.
“Once in office, he claimed he lacked the resources to act, exposing his lack of foresight and leadership.”
The elders further accused Lawal of attempting to claim credit for recent security breakthroughs, which they attributed to the efforts, of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu,
National Security Adviser malam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and CDS musa
“Governor Lawal neither provided meaningful support nor initiated these operations,” the statement read, labelling his actions as “political desperation.”
The forum urged the people of Zamfara to demand accountability from their leaders, stressing that the state deserves “a governor who is honest, consistent, and genuinely committed to their safety.”
They condemned Lawal’s approach as exploitative, accusing him of seeking to benefit politically from the achievements of others.
Suspected Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) on Mandafuma bridge, along Biu-Damboa road in Borno state.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred at about 2 am on Tuesday.
Makama said the explosion was aimed at hindering military reinforcements traveling through the area, and to disrupt the movement of motorists and passengers along the route.
Some images released by the publication show severe damage to the bridge which links Mandafuma village and Biu town.
On April 12, eight travelers were killed following an IED explosion on the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno state.
The incident which involved a commercial bus heading to Maiduguri from Damboa left 11 other persons severely injured.
Similarly, on March 21, four passengers were killed and four others injured after an IED exploded under a commercial vehicle in Biu LGA of the state.
The vehicle was said to have stepped on the IED upon reaching Sabon Garin, Kimba junction, leading to a massive explosion that killed on the spot four passengers, including three females and a male.