I AM writing these lines on the eve of a trip to BornoState. I have not been back in months, but everybody confirms the relative peace that has returned to the state. I do hope to be able to report on this page about my trip next week.
It is remarkable just how much effort has continued to be put into the development effort by the government of Governor Kashim Shettima, despite the crisis of the Boko Haram insurgency. I have reported the visit to China and procurements to develop several sectors of the economy.
These efforts are highly appreciated by the Borno people and it is looking like even the international community also recognizes the valiant work being done in BornoState. This week, Governor Shettima of Borno received an award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as Best Governor in the North East of Nigeria for commitment to the eradication of polio. It was well deserved!
On our way back from the trip to China and Vietnam, we stopped over in Dubai and one of the evenings, we, Kashim and I, visited the Dubai Mall, to purchase books. The titles he chose covered political economy, philosophy, literature to biographies and Islamic political thought.
Not for him a vain and irresponsible shopping for valueless consumer items, but books to enrich the mind, to find guidance for committed leadership and responsible action. That is how it should be.