BIU: A Visit to a City on a Plateau (5)
Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi
✓ Meeting, Interviewing Some Prominent People in Biu:
During this important visit to the town of Biu in Borno State, I had the opportunity to meet some of the prominent people in the City who are highly respected for their many achievements and contributions to the development of Biu in particular and humanity in general. These individuals include His Royal Highness the Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, and Dr. Bukar Usman, OON, whom I visited his ancestral home where I met his elder sister, Hajia Marabi Usman. I met and had fruitful interview with the Betara of Biu, Lieutenant General (rtd) Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR, the Birma of Biu and the Magira (Sarauniya in Hausa and Queen Mother in English) of Biu. Additionally, I visited the first clinic (formerly called dispensary) in Biu and met the matron. I also had the opportunity to meet with a nationalist, (aka) Ɗan Nigeria, Dibal Arhyel Wandali. Furthermore, I met with a dear friend and guide, Malam Umar Mohammed Maidala, whom I hold in high regard.
✓ His Royal Highness Emir of Biu, (Dr.) Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, CON:
His Royal Highness the Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, is the 29th Emir of Biu. He ascended the throne after the demise of his predecessor, his father, the Emir of Biu, Mai Umar Aliyu, in the year 2020.
As he explained to me during an interview, before he assumed the throne, he served for 22 years as the Hakimi (District Head) of Biu Town. “After completing my studies, I was appointed as the Hakimi of Biu, and I served in that capacity for 22 years. My predecessor Mai Umar was the first Hakimi of Biu. Thereafter, Mai Madu succeeded him as Hakimi of Biu. Later on, Biu Town was divided into two districts, Biu West and Biu East. I served as the Hakimi of Biu West District from August 1999 after which I was moved to Biu East where I served as Hakimi from the year 2000. I served as the Hakimi of Biu East for eight years. When my uncle, Hakimi Mai Madu died, I was moved to Biu West and ruled for three years, after which another Hakimi was transferred from Kwaya Bura to take over from me. I was made to return to Biu East as the Hakimi, where I served for two years before being transferred again to Biu West. Ali Kachalla was brought in, and he served as the Hakimi of Biu East. That was how we worked together for five years. After his demise, Hakimi Bello Usman was appointed as his successor. However, he served as the Hakimi of Biu West while I assumed the role of the Hakimi of Biu East.”
Emir of Biu is a brave and courageous leader who cares for his people. He is a man of integrity, always delivering speeches and messages that inspire the well-being of the people, promote education and encourage work and enterprise. He is a dedicated farmer unlike some royal fathers who choose to just remain on the throne to run the affairs of the people.
I asked him about the historical event that took place in the Emirate lately, where some notable figures were honored with traditional titles. What is it that distinguishes these figures to have attracted such honors? He explained thus: “The three people we honored last Friday are illustrious and patriotic citizens. All of them are retired soldiers that served the country diligently. They were turbaned as Betara, Shettima and Zannah of Biu. They all play crucial roles in defending and promoting Biu Emirate to the world. For example, they always support our youths in acquiring skills, employment and assist the community in any developmental capacity. They also play critical roles in uniting the people in the Emirate. That is why we celebrate and appreciate them with the traditional titles for their generosity, as they dedicated themselves to the service of the community and the country in general.”
People praise and appreciate the Emir of Biu for his dedication to the service of his people. During our interview, I brought up the issues and challenges faced by Biu community during the Boko Haram insurgency and the devastating impact it had on the people of Borno State in general. I asked him how he managed to remain steadfast during these difficult times while others fled their domains and even after the insurgents killed the Emir of Gwoza he stayed put. He said that he did not fear death and remained with his people. I asked him to offer more insights with regard to his strength, stance and resilience.
The Emir replied saying, “praise be to Allah. When this problem started, my father was alive. And at that time, I was the Hakimi in the City of Biu. Whenever any such issues that are related to security arose, he always referred them to Maidala. And when the issue is beyond the latter, he sought my support and I would give my advice. In that way, any problem that arose, I would come up with a solution. For five years, I have been dealing with these matters.
“When the Boko Haram insurgents came to Biu, they started causing chaos. They scared our people. We took serious security measures and some of the insurgents were arrested and taken to Maiduguri. And we stayed fairly safe. Every ward deployed the use of volunteers in securing their people against the menace of the Boko Haram insurgents.
“These volunteers, who are mostly youths, keep vigil in the night till day break. They barricade their respective wards and offer security. Honestly, the people of Biu are brave and so deserve praises and appreciation for their efforts and resilience.
“Many ugly incidents had occurred as a result of the insurgency but we rely more importantly on prayer. We ask for Allah’s help and we got it. When the situation became more difficult for us, some concerned people called from Abuja and ordered me to leave the City because it was no longer safe. So, I decided that if I left the City, I would leave my people too. I reasoned that what if later on the situation settles and I decide to come back, what will I tell my people and how can I lead them again? For the sake of my people, we struggled and relied on Allah. There is no doubt that the insurgents had attacked but were repelled and Allah gave us victory. When they came near to the police barrack, they were chased away and defeated. So, thanks be to Allah, we are grateful to Allah.”
✓ Dr. Bukar Usman, OON:
As I mentioned in my earlier report, I first met Dr. Bukar in 2006 in Abuja, and the significant thing that stood out to me about him was his dedication to promoting education for the development of his community and the world at large. He is the driving force that bonds me with the people of Biu. I particularly found Babur/Bura people as very understanding, caring and nationalists to the core. Additionally, he is the one that inspires my interest to have developed an urge to pay a visit to Biu Emirate and see for myself some of the fascinating historical sites. He bears all the costs in supporting my journey to and fro. When I visited Biu, I didn’t rest till Malam Mohammed Umar Maidala took me to Dr. Usman’s family house. It was a joyful visit as I met and greeted his elder sister, Hajia Marabi Usman, a woman of 89 years of age. She was born in Biu in the year 1935.
I met her very healthy and ever smiling. She welcomed me warmly and after I greeted her, she bared her mind about her brother Dr. Usman. She commended him for his brotherliness, generosity and goodwill. She narrated to me how he takes good care of her and the rest of the family. She also prayed for him and me too for the visit, believing that Allah will reward her brother abundantly.
Who is Bukar Usman? In the eighteen years that I have known him, I can say that he is a man of great character. Honestly, I did not have any doubts about his honesty, patriotism, sense of generosity and goodwill, especially in relation to his commitment to education, community service, caring for the needy, promoting peace, and his dedication to knowledge and its dissemination to the society.
He was born in Biu on December 10, 1942. The way he lives his life from childhood to adulthood is a source of inspiration for this generation and future generations. He started his career as a junior clerk in the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria. His diligence and dedication to work earned him numerous promotions and awards, and he reached the position of Permanent Secretary in the Presidency till he retired in the year 1999.
He is a very humble person who doesn’t like amassing ill-gotten wealth or have concern about material possessions. After retirement, he focuses and dedicates his life to the service of humanity. His main passion is educating the people through research, intellectual discussions, writing scholarly/literary articles and books which undoubtedly contribute greatly in advancing education and enriching the society with knowledge.
He also made extensive use of his various skills in the field of academic research and literary works, especially in literature and other arts. And most of the books he publishes under the Dr. Bukar Usman Foundation are distributed free to the public, educational institutions and the literary communities in Nigeria as well as all over the world.
Indeed, he is a person who loves truth and values honesty. Through his lectures and writings, a person would see through such qualities. Whatever he writes, whether in a book or an article are always based on facts and are guiding to truth and honesty. Similarly, as a patriot, most of his books on security, administration or civil service portray him as a man of integrity, in love of his country and the people. Some of his books, such as Voices in a Choir…, My Public Service Journey…, Hatching Hopes, A History of Biu and Taskar Tatsuniyoyi, contain examples of how he contributes to the development of the society and inspires people to become active participants in the development and progress of the society. He always emphasizes the importance of education and its impact on the society.
In the field of knowledge and its dissemination, I can testify that Dr. Usman is a teacher par excellence. Despite his age, he never ceased to learn, believing that one should always strive to gain knowledge throughout his or her life. If he encounters a challenge or an obstacle in his research, he tackles it by asking those in the know even if they are younger by age. More so, he is not a lazy person when it comes to teaching. He always dedicates his time to teach or correct a person till perfection. I personally benefit a lot through his teachings and writings.
He is a person of substance, both in appearance and character. If you visit his house, one would understand, as it reflects his personality, intellect, and immense wealth of knowledge. He is a person with a refined heart and a sincere spirit – you can never find him engaged in trivial matters. He does not involve himself in shallow activities and always appears serene amidst the chaos of the world. He is a person of high stature and influence among people. With him, there is no room for mediocrity. He always strives for excellence and perfection. He is humble, hospitable, altruistic and generous.
This is Dr. Bukar Usman, an accomplished scholar, non-tribalist, a nationalist and a literary giant.
✓ General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR:
In my earlier report I explained how I came across Lieutenant General (rtd) Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who is also a pillar and a prominent figure in Biu Emirate. He is also one of the reasons I went to Biu, particularly to witness his turban ceremony as the Betara of Biu on Friday, October 27, 2023.
Who is General Tukur Yusufu Buratai? He was born on November 24, 1960, in Buratai Town, Biu Local Government Area, Borno State. He had a humble beginning before joining the Nigerian Army. He rose through the ranks and eventually became the Chief of Army Staff on July 13, 2015. He served in that position as the longest serving COAS in the Nigerian Army (about five years). He retired from service in January 2021.
During his tenure, the Nigerian military achieved significant successes, especially in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents and other terrorist groups in the North-East region of Nigeria. Prior to assuming the position of the Chief of Army Staff, several Local Governments in Borno and Yobe States were under the control of Boko Haram, and there were frequent bomb attacks in various parts of Northern Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. However, with the determination and leadership of General Buratai, significant progress was made in defeating Boko Haram, including the killing of their leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Before General Buratai’s leadership, the Nigerian Army faced numerous challenges, including low morale, inadequate equipment and lack of welfare for soldiers and their families. With his dedication and commitment, he brought about changes, including the acquisition of new equipment, design and construction of Military Armoured Tank (aka Nzeogwu) and improvement in the welfare and living conditions of soldiers. He also initiated various development projects, such as the construction of barracks and schools. Thanks to his efforts, after completing his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
Buratai is a renowned military officer and statesman, as well as a national hero in Nigeria and other countries. Traditional rulers from all over Nigeria have honored him with various traditional titles, about 30 in total. In his home State the Emir of Biu has honored him with the prestigious Betara of Biu title on Friday, October 27, 2023. Some of his titles include Garkuwan Keffi, Baakore of Akure, Jagunmolu of Shaki, Are Balogun Agba of Owu-Kuta, Sadauki of Jajere, Jarma of Maradun, Ochiagha Dike Eji Eja Ogu-Aguleri in Anambra State. He is also the Garkuwa of Yusufari, Maje of Doma, and Magayaki of Hausa in Daura, Katsina State.
During my interview with him at his residence in Biu, I come to confirm that truly General Buratai is a man of the people that cares for the development of his community and Nigeria as a whole. He highlighted his concern for the well-being of the people, especially in Northern Nigeria, regarding their educational development. He also expressed his concerns about the high-level of drug abuse and other vices prevalent among the youths. I asked him if he had any solutions to ensure that the youths have a brighter future and he replied:
“Indeed, parents need to pay more attention to their children, especially regarding their activities on social media. Similarly, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has a vital role to play. It is necessary to provide guidance and engage in dialogue to educate and enlighten our young people.”
What about life values? Buratai said: “The values of life are anchored on discipline and integrity. Without strong moral values, there can be no progress in any society.”
I asked His Royal Highness, the Emir of Biu, Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha II why he conferred the title of Betara on General Buratai. He said, “Well, praise be to Allah. I have personally witnessed the investiture of Buratai with the title of Betara of Biu. He has done a great service to the education sector in Biu. We have just one tertiary institution in Biu, that’s the College of Education Waka. Before his intervention, there was no university in Biu except in Maiduguri. It’s difficult for our people to obtain higher education in Biu and it’s not everybody that can afford the cost to sponsor their children to Maiduguri to further their education. But when Allah blessed him, Buratai took the initiative to establish a Military University in Biu. For that reason, we confer on him the title of Betara in order to appreciate his modest contribution and support to the Biu Emirate.
“The Betara title is not given lightly; it is not just a hereditary title. It is a title reserved for individuals who have earned the trust of the Emir. He acts as an ambassador of the Emir to any assigned responsibility. In our tradition, it is called Kokuna Kamba, which means the Sword Bearer. This is a position of honor and respect. This title on Buratai is a fulfillment of a will of my late father, the Emir of Biu. Before his death, he asked me to honor him with befitting title and so it has come to pass. Buratai has clinched the worthy title of Betara of Biu. Therefore, I have no doubt that Buratai deserves this title. With Allah’s blessings, he will continue to excel.”
✓ The Birma of Biu, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu:
The Birma of Biu, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu, is also a prominent figure in Biu Emirate. He is a versatile lawyer. He is second in ranking to the Emir of Biu. Apart from being close to the Emir, he is one of the trusted advisors to him and his counsel is highly valued. He is also instrumental in the Emir’s decision-making process in various matters within the Emirate.
During an interview session, I asked him if he noticed any significant changes occurring in the emirate system in Northern Nigeria recently in comparison to the past. He said, “Significant changes have indeed occurred in the emirate system in Northern Nigeria or to say in the entire country with the arrival of new system of government. The new system has a different approach, and it brought along about various reforms. When the British colonialists came, they introduced new mode of government. Before the advent of the Europeans, the emirs held sway, they are the custodians of law and order but with the new constitutional government their power is reduced. But in terms of traditional norms and values, the emirate system still maintains its image as the royal fathers.”
Birma Biu expressed concern for the community’s welfare. He implores people to shun idleness and emphasizes the importance of education. He said, “We should prioritize education and agriculture. These are crucial for our development in the Emirate. We have fertile land and if you look at all these States in the North East, even in some parts of Yobe State, they rely on our agricultural products we cultivate. Allah has blessed Biu and we are in the centre of all the States in the North East of Nigeria. We need to focus on education, and we must work hard to improve our community.”
✓ The Queen of Biu, Hajia Larai (A’isha) Mai Umar:
We visited the Queen of Biu, Hajia Larai (A’isha) Mai Umar; she received and welcomed us warmly. When asked about her background in brief, she said, “I was born in 1967. I attended Biu Central Primary School and later Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Minna in Niger State. Our set was the pioneer students in that school. From there, I went on to study at the University of Maiduguri, and by the grace of Allah, I became a civil servant and work in Biu Local Government Council.”
I asked her if there are any roles or duties specifically assigned to the Queen in Biu Emirate. She replied, “Praise be to Allah. The position of the Queen (Magira) in Biu Emirate, known as the Queen Mother (not in the British sense) holds responsibilities such as advising the Emir, especially on matters concerning women and other aspects of life in the Emirate.”
Are there any women title holders under the supervision of the Queen in the Emirate? “Yes, there are, and one of them is the Magira from various Hakimi or village heads. Each Magira leads the women troops during festivals like Eid. The Magira accompanies the Queen and assists her in various ceremonial duties when she makes appearances or performs specific tasks,” she explained.
Regarding the Queen’s office in the Emirate, are there similar titles to women as given to men in the Emirate? “The Queen has no specific role similar to that of the Emir, who is the paramount leader and royal father of all. However, the queen’s duty is to offer advice and support the Emir, whenever he seeks counsel from her regarding the affairs of women in the Emirate.” Hajia Larai clarifies.
In the emirate system of Biu, as the Queen do you have a chance to inherit the throne as the Emir, being that you too are of royal blood and your father was once an Emir? She replied, “No, the system does not allow that in Biu Emirate. My position remains a Magira.”
What advice do you have to women in the Emirate regarding their well-being in life? “The greatest advice I would give to women is for them to equip themselves with knowledge just like men do, because knowledge is the essence of life. Without knowledge, a person is like an animal. Knowledge is the gateway to life. If you educate a woman, it is like educating a whole community. Every woman should make sure she acquires education and force her children too to acquire knowledge.”
Furthermore, the Queen also advised the entire Biu community saying, “I call upon the community to nurture life and strive in all endeavors with patience, because life itself consists of struggle and patience before one achieves success. Similarly, one must endure with honesty and justice in all his dealings. With hard work and diligence, success follows, for every effort has its own reward.
Secondly, I also call upon women and girls to engage in various trades and develop skills. Work is significant, as it allows one to contribute to the society. If you have a talent and pursue it, it will provide you with opportunities. And if you engage in work with sincerity, you will receive abundant blessings.
Therefore, my advice to women and girls is to engage in work, develop skills, and work diligently. Things have changed and government cannot provide jobs to everybody. When you learn a skill and establish trade, you too can employ others. May Allah bless you abundantly.”
✓ The Matron of the First Clinic in Biu, Mrs. Maimuna Ahmed:
I had the opportunity to visit the first clinic in Biu. It was established in 1954 and has been operational since then, providing healthcare services and tackling various health issues. I had an interview with the Matron, who is currently heading the facility (now renamed Biu Primary Health Care Centre), as a General Hospital has been constructed in the City.
Mrs. Maimuna stated that up till now they are currently engaged in all aspects of healthcare, including the management of the old health facility in Biu. “If someone brought prescription notes from a medical doctor, he or she gets all necessary drugs here. Similarly, we deal with patients with leprosy, providing them with medication and support, as well as those with tuberculosis and HIV. We also engage in health outreach programs such as medical check-ups, immunizations, and health education,” said the matron.
I asked her whether the community in Biu needs this healthcare facility to be upgraded to a bigger status. She replied, “Certainly, they will appreciate it, because we receive many people who come seeking medical treatment, especially from surrounding areas. Some even come from distant places to seek medical treatment. In fact, at one point, we had 500 patients in a day, and some other days, 300 patients in a day.”
Regarding the challenges and support from the government, she said, “Yes, the government supports us, but it’s not enough. If the government fully supports us, we will be able to achieve more for the benefit of the community. But even with the little support, we manage to keep the facility running and serve the community effectively. People also need to understand that when they visit the facility, they need to follow the prescribed treatment plan, as it is for their own good.”
✓ Dibal Arhyel Wandali: A True Nigerian (Dan Nigeria):
I had the opportunity to visit the home of an important figure in Biu, Mr. Dibal Arhyel Wandali (aka Dan Nigeria). He is a man of great passion for Nigeria, a patriot and nationalist. This individual, due to his great love for Nigeria, he has made its national color (green-white-green) his fashion and its maintenance a hobby. The national color encompasses his dress, car, the interior and exterior decorations of his house. I had a thorough interview with him about his experiences:
Explaining his background, he said, “I was born in the year 1963, in a village called Wandali, about 27 kilometers away from Biu Town. I was enrolled in primary school in 1970 and completed in 1977. I then attended Community Secondary School. When my father was transferred to Bama, I went there to join him. My father was a teacher. There were many senior students at that school and I was made to be an errand boy, doing chores for them. I was unable to cope and I was moved to Konduga during that same period. I spent two years in Konduga and in the first term of class three I then moved to the City of Maiduguri because we staged a revolt because of lack of portable water in the school. At that time, I was a prefect, and they said I would be expelled. From there, I gained admission to Government College Maiduguri and completed my studies in 1982.
“I had aspirations to enroll in Ramat Polytechnic to study engineering, but I didn’t get the opportunity. The government then called for an interview for scholarship to study health education. I participated and was successful. We were sent to Bulgaria for training. I spent several years abroad, and returned to Nigeria in the year 1987.”
Upon your return, people see you with a new fashionable trend of nationalism, where you made the love of Nigerian color your passion. Where do you get this culture from and how are you coping?
Dibal has this to say: “Honestly, when I was a young boy, I had aspirations of serving my country Nigeria. I knew our leaders at the time, like Tafawa Balewa, and whenever they spoke on Independence Day or Children’s Day, I would imagine us being placed on a path to greatness. I made a promise to myself that I wanted to be like our past leaders in patriotism. At Bulgaria some students of other advanced countries challenged us and even ridiculed us. They will be asking us silly questions, like do you have water or light in your country? In order to show them Nigeria is blessed and developed, when I came back, I collected postcards, which featured pictures of Cocoa House in Ibadan and Hamdala Hotel in Kaduna and sent them to my friends abroad. This was to show the world how our country is progressing. In doing so, I showcased the potential of Nigeria. Right from that time I imbibed the culture of patriotism and the love of Nigerian colors, green-white-green. That was why I made all my accessories into the Nigerian color – my dress, watch, car, house etc…”
So, how did members of your family react, or did they also feel and act the same way? “Well, they are part of the new generation, but some of them follow my style but not all. But truly, they had the love of the country in their hearts because whenever we sat together, we discuss various issues affecting the country.”
When I asked him how he felt about this hope for change and whether he had received any support from the government or any authority, he replied, “No, unfortunately. But I have received some encouragements and honors from some Northern Students’ Associations. But the government doesn’t seem to have any interest in what I’m trying to achieve. I have not received any merit award or anything of that sort from government.”
So, what kind of work do you do? “I work in the healthcare field, specifically as a Public Health Officer. And there’s no doubt that it is a challenging job, but I enjoy it because I understand that through my work, I can make a difference in the healthcare system.”
I asked him if he has any interest in joining politics. He responded: “No, not really. Politicians are not really honest, even though I understand that it is through politics that one can bring about change. For example, even in this healthcare work that I am engaged in, it’s by Allah’s grace I got it but it was through political connections. It was during the tenure of Governor Mohammed Goni of Borno State, an exemplary leader he was. I could remember his non-corruptible stance as a Governor. In the year in 1983, there was a military coup and by then he was in Saudi Arabia for Hajj. He was informed not to return to the country or else he could be arrested by the new military government and tried for corruption. He was adamant to return because he was not corrupt. As a Governor he did his work very well in Borno State and people are still benefitting. During his tenure there was a scholarship programme scheme to study healthcare education in Bulgaria and candidates have to undergo test. To make sure the common people benefitted, he invited the interview panel from abroad, sponsored their trip to Nigeria to conduct the interview. The panel members were accommodated in Lake Chad Hotel, which was the biggest hotel in Maiduguri at that time. They conducted the interview and that’s how we the common people succeeded else the scheme would have been hijacked by corrupt politicians and favour their family members alone. Therefore, the issue of joining politics in Nigeria is not for me at least for now. May be in the future when it becomes clean one can try but not now when all is not well. This is because the situation is not favourable for the upright people. Almost everything in today’s politics is corrupt. Take an instance even this professional football career, no matter how good you are in it, nobody will sponsor you if you are not connected to the politicians.
As a nationalist who saw it all, so what advice would you give to the youths of today concerning life? “Truly, advice alone won’t be enough you also have to show them examples. If you want to inspire young people to love their country, then you have to show them that you are working hard for the country. The youths of today always challenge me when I ask them to be patriotic. They say we that benefitted from government are saying that because we are enjoying in the country not them. And what they are saying is somehow true because to my understanding, the youth born around 1980 to date cannot be said to have benefitted from anything in the country. Part of my worry is that, this country is blessed and wealthy but there is nothing to show for it. For example, the youth will tell you how he went to school, his parents paid school fees and he graduated and could not get any work. Then how can he support the country? I could remember in our days; government employ people to clean the streets or and get paid. Why can’t the teaming youths be put to use like that now. If some of them can be engaged to clean the streets and pay them stipend, even if it is five thousand Naira, it is better than to leave them idle.
“Actually, from what I see, leaders are not sincere. They don’t have the love of this country at heart. People are not patriotic enough nowadays. It makes me sad to see somebody busy cleaning his car or doing trivial things when the National Anthem is being played. There was an incident I witnessed abroad where an Arab man urinated near a statue of one national figure. He was arrested and punished instantly. This was to show how they value their country and their heroes. But here in Nigeria, one cannot show love to his motherland.
“Now, let us see, we have the National Orientation Agency (NOA), but there is no significant work they are doing to enlighten the people about patriotism. Even in this town, I noticed somewhere Nigerian flags that are supposed to showcase Nigeria’s image are either torn or left to deteriorate. I personally buy such national flags and hoist them in my working place and distribute some to any office that needs them. It’s unfortunate for the government today that even during Independence Celebration, it cannot provide like one million hand-held national flags to the youths. That’s why now the youths are losing interest in the Nigerian project. They patronize foreign football clubs better than Nigeria. One can see how they spend their money in buying their foreign football club jerseys than that of Nigeria. It is very sad to see a Nigerian youth glorifying foreign football clubs than his national team!”
I asked him, what is your biggest ambition in life? He replied, “Honestly, I don’t have any ambition better than to see I live happily in peace with other people. If I get my food on the table, a cloth to wear but not to say I want ride a flashy car or become wealthy or want to become someone influential, it’s all in Allah’s hands. Take an example how you visit me today and we discuss. We don’t know we are going to meet but Allah made it possible. For how long am I practicing this my passion on patriotism? But nobody cares to commend me till General Kukasheka visited and published my story in the media and the larger world came to notice me. Therefore, everything is destiny and it’s in the hands of Allah. One has no will to change whatever Allah wills. I am grateful to Allah for everything that comes my way.”
At the end of our interview, I asked him if there is anything he would like to say to the people. He explained, “I call on people to be patriotic be committed to this country and be sincere and honest in our affairs so that we live in harmony and peace. Honesty is what keeps a country in peace. If our leaders are honest and do what is right, believe me people will applaud them. But they rather steal the wealth of this country… Let me give you an example, during the Independence Anniversary people came and fill this my house, holding their national flags in celebration. I did not share money to them but the love of Nigeria. They did that because they see practical from me but what makes me sad with our leaders is their insincerity and they don’t love their people but themselves.
“Now, there was Taiwo Akinkunmi, the man that designed the Nigerian national flag. When he died, people have not heard the story in this country. It was General Kukasheka that called to inform me about his death. That was unbecoming for Nigeria to treat such a man like that. At least his death called for national mourning. In other countries such men are celebrated as heroes.
“As a Nigerian, one should be proud of his national flag. But the man that designed the color to have died and the country didn’t show any respect, it’s indeed pathetic.”
✓ Mohammed Umar Maidala:
Malam Mohammed Umar Maidala is someone I have known through Dr. Bukar Usman and we interact through the internet and on the phone, but we have never met in person until this visit to Biu Town. However, before the day I arrived in the town, I had already heard a lot about him. His name is well-known in the community, and he is also highly respected among the people. When I arrived Biu, he gave me a warm reception and escorted me to my hotel lodge. He took good care of me from day one till I left the town. He was my guide in Biu, escorted me to all the places I visited in and around Biu Emirate.
His father’s name is Alhaji Muhammad Dankano, and his mother is Hajia Zara Kachalla. He was born in Bakin Gada near the Emir of Biu’s Palace. He studied the Qur’an at Malam Tijjani Islamic School near Biu airstrip. He completed his primary education at Biu Central Primary School from 1982 to 1988, and then attended Government Day Secondary School Biu from 1989 to 1994.
Malam Umar started working at the Ministry of Local Government Affairs in Biu on November 6, 1996. He later continued his education at Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri from 1999 to 2001, where he obtained a diploma in Business Administration and Management Studies. After that, he returned to work at the Office of the Hakimi of Biu in 2003 and later joined the Ministry of Education in Biu Local Government. He pursued further education at the University of Maiduguri, where he earned a degree in Economics and Public Administration. He is married to Ruqayya Isah Aliyu, and they have been blessed with two children – Damcida and Umar Farouk.
✓ Conclusion:
There is no doubt that I had a memorable experience during my visit to Biu. I arrived in the town on Tuesday, October 25, 2023, and stayed for about eight days. During my stay, I explored the town and interacted with the friendly and hospitable people. Truly, Biu is a City on a plateau – a City full of beauty, rich culture and blessed people!
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This is the 5th and last report of Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi’s visit to Biu a City on a Plateau, Borno State, North-Eastern Nigeria.
