Got till it gone, and over the past few decades, Nigerians have been walloped by the agonies of the vacuum created by the lack of depth in leadership, or most times poor governance, and basically: the lack of purposeful leadership, with genuinely effective government’s policies and programmes that can better the lives of the common man, and generally uplift the standard of living of Nigerians. Nigeria’s corridors of power have seen the good, the bad and the ugly a couple of times, over and over again, and cumulatively, Nigeria is left in the delirium of relishing the yesteryears of past ‘leaderships’, where things worked or things were better. The yesteryears when the basics were available, the characters had integrity, or had the passion and patriotic zeal to achieve and leave behind lasting legacies that, we the present generation are still benefitting from, or perhaps even future generations can utilise and appreciate. Today, standards have fallen to an arbitrariness, where we celebrate mediocrity, and worship corruption and corrupt leaders.
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, is ever an enigma, be it in the media, in politics, or in military spheres. In Africa, he is one of the most phenomenal leaders of the 20th, and 21st centuries, widely known across the entire continent. Some have nicknamed him Evil Genius, while others equally christened him Genial genius. Quite a sizeable number still refer to him as Maradona, and a wider majority call him Baba. His hands of genius, evil or genial, have been firmly imprinted in the making of so many governments, from the Murtala regime, all through to Obasanjo’s second coming. Even Buhari’s civilian rule as president is quietly associated with his solid support and contributions.
Every August, as we celebrate his birthdays, long essays and most recently, PowerPoint based presentations of his achievements are widely circulated on media platforms, both digital and print, capturing the admirable and very enviable list of monumental projects that were created, built, and accomplished by the Babangida administration of 1985 to 1993. In my very vivid memory of those years, ‘too many things’ were right with Nigeria. Infrastructure, notably, roads, both rural and urban, medical facilities especially primary healthcare, and very decent education sector, that produced graduates that can today compare and tower above the graduates from the Ivy League universities around the world.
IBB created Yobe, Katsina, Taraba, Jigawa and Kebbi states. He also created Enugu, Delta, Osun and Akwa Ibom states. He created Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). IBB built the Aso Rock Villa and the Third Mainland Bridge, the largest bridge on the continent at the time. He also completed the Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station. He constructed Toja Bridge in Kebbi, and constructed the Jibia Water Treatment Plant. He built Challawa Cenga Dam in Kano, and of course the legendary and ‘notorious’ Kano – Abuja dual carriageway. IBB practically built the FCT, Abuja. When I first visited Abuja in 1993, Abuja’s Central Business District, Wuse 2, Garki including the Old Federal Secretariat and more than 70% of the new Federal Secretariat, were all built. The fine road networks traversing the FCT with all the bridges were all built by IBB. Others are the ECOWAS headquarters secretariat in Abuja, and the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
IBB built all the FHA Estates nationwide. He also constructed high court buildings in all the states of the federation. Federal Secretariat buildings were constructed in the 36 states and Abuja. This reminds me of the argument over the electoral law of 25% in 24 states and Abuja. The two political parties that existed then had offices built in all the 36 states by IBB. The 4 Divisional Headquarters of the Nigerian Army were also constructed during his tenure. Almost all the military barracks in Abuja were built by him. The School of Armour in my native Bauchi state was built by Babangida, and so was the Nigerian Army Amphibious school in Calabar. Other projects for the Army include the Nigerian Navy Dockyard and the Nigeria Dockyard Snake Island. FEPA zonal offices nationwide and Central Laboratory,Yaba Lagos graces this long list. The National Eye Centre Kaduna and Aluminium Smelter Coy Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom state are all part of IBB’s projects. The Ajaokuta Steel Project Engineering Works were also done by him. The Abuja International Airport Phase 1&2 were constructed during the Babangida administration too.
Abuja enjoyed a lot of attention during his time. The National Assembly Complex, DSS headquarters and the National Intelligence Agency’s office in Abuja were all constructed during his time.
In Lagos, Federal Mortgage Bank headquarters and its branches nationwide were constructed by Baba. CBN headquarters in Abuja and the Security Printing & Minting headquarters, Abuja were all built by the genial genius. The Jabi and Asokoro Districts were all created and built by Baba. All the 36 states of the federation got judiciary, assembly and government secretariat buildings developed. In terms of health, Maitama General Hospital, Wuse General Hospital and State House Hospital were developed by IBB. All the 36 states too got hospitals built in each. Gusau Water Supply Scheme was built by IBB, as well as Asokoro, Kubwa and Abuja Municipal Water Supply Schemes. The water works list also includes Gboko-Yadav Water Works and Boreholes for 1004 Housing.
Capturing the late Mrs. Maryam Babangida’s initiatives for women that sought to incorporate Nigerian rural women formally or semi-formally into the various sectors of our economy makes IBB’s tenure all the more accomplished. Her programmes for the emancipation of the rural woman was more than an eye opener for our womenfolk to fully get involved hands-on, in the betterment of their lives and that of their children, and more importantly as part of the nation building project. Her office has ever since been the ‘role model’ for all first ladies and wives of presidents and governors that have come after her. Today, IBB is 82 and I celebrate him as a father who is there to nurture, guide and protect, a friend who is there in need, and an elder whose wisdom and tutelage are vital and priceless. May you continue to live long, longer than your time, age and era. Happy birthday to you Babana.
Tahir is Talban Bauchi.
IBB @82: Happy birthday to the best
