By Ibrahim Biu
I expected that by this time the Nigerian media will be awash with stories about the gallant efforts of the Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettim, in providing assistance to thousands of helpless IDPs and on security in the state. I expected to read investigative stories in the media about how the governor has continued to manage the affairs of IDPs and what the IDPs themselves are doing and even their reactions to the governor’s efforts since the insurgency escalated in the North-east.
But so far apart from the few write-ups by Malam Isa Umar Gusau the governor’s special assistant on media and a few others from people like Mr. Victor Ezeakor, a media consultant/and veteran journalist in Maiduguri nothing much has been done by Nigerian newspapers in terms of investigative reports about the predicaments of the over 50,000 IDPs being camped in the state. The papers were supposed to have highlighted where the IDPs came from and their experiences generally.
They were also supposed to revealed assistance received from organizations and individuals towards rehabilitating the IDPs.
There are many governors in this country that are working very hard to improve their people’s conditions of lives but have not been properly recognized by the press. They are doing extra ordinary things for their people, yet the press has not given them adequate attention. In my own opinion one of such persons or governor is Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno state. He is working very hard to take his people especially those of them displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency to a higher level. He has devoted his entire energy towards solving problems being encountered by people at the IDPs across the state. He eats and sleeps with the IDPs issue in his mind.
The recent intervention by the Borno government to tackle the issue of unemployment has been applauded as one of the steps that will help to ameliorate the situations. It is in realization of this objective that his administration believes that government intervention in developing the agricultural sector has become necessary in its desire to move towards achieving full employment and the economic well-being of the people of the state despite the activities of the Boko Haram.
This is a brilliant idea worth pursuing at all levels. After the abduction of the Chibok girls the governor’s general candour and humility has been touching and fully conveyed the feelings of the people. Sheltima has remained admirably unrelenting in his pursuit of measures geared towards the elimination of insurgency in the state even as he continues to provide quality leadership to a people struggling to make a meaning out of the whole mess. It was a deep feeling of relief and commendation for Borno state indigenes when words reached the people that their governor has directed that all the IDPs in the state must be properly taken of. The Governor had instructed that all persons now being accommodated in the IDPs must be fed properly and be provided with necessary basic amenities to enable then live a tolerable life outside their homes.
After I have listened to this God-fearing governor recently when he visited some of the IDPs camps I reached the conclusion that Kashim Shettima is determined to demonstrate to the whole world that the state government and himself personally cares about the light of
the ID persons. He had on several occasions been seen personally either holding or attending to small children orphaned by Boko Haram staying at the camps. He has done so many other things to such children and other IDPs since then that deserve our commendations.
The governor had said when he visited one of the IDP centers recently that: “when I assumed office as the governor of this state, I did promise to provide good governance to our people and to do all I could within the powers of my office to make their lives better.
As a responsible government therefore, we cannot fold our hands and watch individuals subject our people as well as visitors to the state to such barbaric behaviour and all manners of oppression. Such practices are indeed inimical to our efforts to live peacefully and serene environment that Enugu has come to be associated with.” From the foregoing, it is heart–warming that this uncommon disposition of the governor has reaffirmed his determination to maintain his administration’s integrity and the pact he had with the people of the state during his election campaign to alleviate their sufferings and to give them a sense of belonging as true heroes of democracy.
It has proved that the governor is sensitive to the plight of the people of the state and is poised to give them a fair deal in the affairs of things for them to feel the pulse of good governance and participatory democracy.
Two prominent businessmen, Dr. Aliko Dangote and Dr. Muhammadu Indimi, had individually contributed more than N100 million each for the upkeep of the IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Yola. Governor Shettima like his counterparts in the North-eastern has been trying his best for the IDPs since the insurgency intensified. More of such supports are required apart from the moral and spiritual support from all stakeholders in order to arrest the situation.
As a man of empathy, care and concern, the governor in keeping faith with his beliefs, in a similar forum reiterated that “I cannot sit down here as governor of this sate and watch the people being maimed or killed. We must help out as much as we can. Helping the needy is the best thing for anyone to do particularly if we remember the commandment of Almighty Allah that we must help the needy”. Shettima’s type is rare; highly accomplished, simple, easy-going, accessible and always prepared to give a helping hand to the needy and the helpless who are scattered all over Borno state. Most of the people taking refuge at the camps had fled from Boko Haram hot spots at Munguno, Bama Geidam, chibok, Auno, Mairon and Guzamala, Bulumkutu and several such other places across the state.
This writer wishes the governor the best of luck in his efforts for the IDPs. Keep going, God will reward you, Mr. Governor.
Biu wrote from Abuja
