My journey to Casablanca, the commercial city of Morocco, has widened my scope and knowledge on governance, and made me to see many reasons why Bauchi state has all it takes to be like that city or even better in the nearest future.
The city is considered the centre of development and major contributor to the Moroccan economy. It attracts 32% of the country’s production units and 56% of industrial labour, and with the massive ongoing projects within the nooks and crannies of Bauchi under this administration, certainly, the future is bright.
The Africa Study Centre extended an invitation to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state in November 2023 for a delegation to travel to Casablanca, Morocco, for an international study tour focused on best practices in procurement, particularly, in relation to the global community’s advancement of electronic procurement procedures, such as planning, advertising, selection, awarding, mobilising, monitoring, and commissioning.
Possibly due to their anticipation of the Supreme Court’s decision, the accounts department did not release the travel funds until a day after the court’s ruling, but the governor, who is renowned for his desire for value for money, promptly approved my attendance before the court ruling.
Even though the roughly N3 million that remained after travel expenses were paid was only worth about $2000, I decided to manage it because the state would undoubtedly benefit greatly. I was in Abuja for the judgment and attended the crowd-filled rally in Bauchi. I made the decision to travel to Casablanca two days ahead of schedule in order to recuperate before the course because I lack Kauran Bauchi’s strength, who never gets tired of working for the advancement of our beloved state.
As I arrived at Casablanca, I hoped and prayed that my beloved Bauchi state would someday resemble it. The city is very beautiful, and business oriented. It has industries and tourists attraction sites. I believe it is possible for Bauchi to be like it because we have the potential too. Bauchi has tourists attractions too and abundant mineral resources which if well harnessed will boost our economy and attract investments.
Provided the current administration continues to manage public finances well and Governor Bala Mohammed maintains his developmental projects so far initiated through succeeding administrations, being like Casablanca is attainable.
But one of the things the governor is doing which can put Bauchi among the developed cities was the recently awarded contract for the construction of flyovers at Wunti and Central markets. These two gigantic projects, when completed, will change the face of the city of Bauchi and serve as monuments for tourists and investors. Another monuments we have in the state like the popular Yankari Games Reserve and the tomb of Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa should be upgraded and popularised. These are some of the things that will attract people including foreign investors to the state.
There is no denying the fact that since the emergence of Kauran Bauchi as governor in 2019, the state has witnessed tremendous progress. Road networks, building new schools and hospitals, reconstruction and remodeling of Bauchi State Government House and rural infrastructure are few of his leadership efforts to strengthen the state and make it an economic hub of the North-east zone. Even political rivals cannot dispute the fact that Bala is the only politician from Bauchi state still in active politics. As soon as he took office, he eliminated the traditional elite Bauchi politics that had been denying the people good governance.
He identified and formed an Army of Sheep, which successfully redefined the entire face of the state under the slogan Bauchi Sabuwa (The New Bauchi State). In contrast to previous eras where a select few privileged individuals made decisions for the majority, he has given the voters their power back. Despite the political establishment opposing his desire for a second term, he is leading the downtrodden, which made his reelection simple.
Those who were opposed to his second term ambition could not feed the electorate with enough reasons why he should not go for the second term. His triumph against the will of political elite in the state is a testimony of deep rooted acceptance at the grassroots where his achievements spoke loudly with votes during the governorship elections.
His recent Supreme Court victory was long anticipated, and anyone paying attention to the March 18 governorship polls will never question his victory over the state’s well-known power brokers. His national acceptance and connection are unparalleled, which is evident to all. In the recently concluded elections, he ran for the PDP presidential ticket.
He is currently the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and is working nonstop to revitalise the party. Being a devoted member of the party, he successfully ran for a second term and represented Bauchi state in the presidential election, taking two of the three senate seats, seven of the 12 House of Representatives seats, and the majority of the members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. The aforementioned connects further that, he is standing strong, determined and focused to complete the ongoing projects within and outside the state capital.
The recent Supreme Court decision affirms the people’s mandate, and with him at the helm of affairs, much is expected of a man who has transformed the nooks and crannies of Bauchi state in just a few years. I have no doubt that before his administration ends, the ongoing projects and the newly started ones will be completed. Regardless of our political affiliations, religion, or tribe, it is time for the opposition and perceived political opponents to work together with Kauran Bauchi to maintain the pace of reconstructing our new Casablanca here in Bauchi state, which we will all live to celebrate, God’s willing.
I suggest that the governor, as a widely traveled person, will see reason of making Bauchi an international tourist attraction by upgrading the Yankari Games Reserve and build an amusement park that will bring together children during festive seasons. As someone who has achieved so much with little resources, restored the lost of glory of the state and is currently building strong institutions to drive good governance, hence the need to upgrade Late Tafawa Balewa Tomb.
Kauran Bauchi with the recent Supreme Court judgement will no doubt surprise his perceived political opponents by making the state a home for all and will live behind a legacy of being one of the finest Nigerians alive from the North-east. I am reassuring my esteemed readers and ardent supporters of the governor that, as Kauran Bauchi continues to garner greater national acceptance, the future is bright for the people of Bauchi. We expect great things from the state in the next four years, so it will not come as a surprise when Kauran Bauchi is sworn in as the next President of Nigeria.
The state is now a safe haven for both domestic and foreign direct investments, which is something I am happy to report to other governors. We are glad to say that the governor has stood his ground to combat insecurity with an iron hand no matter whose ox is gored. This narrative described Casablanca of Morocco which is my dream that Kaura will make Bauchi another Casablanca before he leaves power. And with the Supreme Court’s judgement, the governor can now concentrate on governance because he has no fears or distractions.
History will be kind to him for living to the expectations of the people who chose him over the anointed candidate of the political elite. I am confident that my experience in Casablanca will help Bauchi state to implement new projects and innovations to achieve the goal of transforming Bauchi state.
Sanga, the Jagaba of Wunti, writes from Bauchi.
