… Haters of the Media Team, slow down, we are winding up
By Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi
Over the past two days, there have been some baseless allegations on the social media that the Borno State Government has detained some minors for over a year in a secret facility and this has sparked discussions.
Any critical and intelligent mind should challenge the quality and source of any information, and any credible information should be judged on its merit in terms of evidence, specific facts, and not blanket allegations.
So, to test and validate such claims, there has to be credible evidence. The fundamental question any sensible person should ask is: Who are these minors that were allegedly locked up for over a year? Where do they live? Who are their parents or guardians? Is it logical for such detentions to take place and their parents or guardians will keep quiet? Can anybody who lives anywhere in Borno State and is on this platform provide evidence of either their siblings, children, neighbours, friends, or acquaintances that were locked up for over one year without any criminal offence?
Please, let us ponder over these fundamental questions, before we continue …
Welcome back and before we continue. Let’s refresh our memories. Let’s think of the Borno we lived in before Zulum became Governor. Let’s think about his commitment to our safety, as well as his resilience and sacrifices.
Since assuming office, Zulum has devoted himself to the restoration of peace and stability in our state which has suffered years of turmoil. His approach has been hands-on, because he believes in leading by example and not from the comfort of his office. This dedication is evident in his frequent visits to the most-affected areas, where he listens with empathy to the concerns of citizens, assesses their needs, and works tirelessly to provide solutions.
My dear brothers and sisters, it’s too early to forget the Baga incident, and more recently, Marte, Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala and several other troubled areas, where Zulum confronted insecurity to restore stability while sacrificing his life.
I will never forget the Baga incident and my encounter with the Governor. As a member of the media team, I remember our strategic attempt to silence the attack, as a way of de-escalating tension. He overheard me discussing it with some security aides and he said, “Look, if you silence me, I will sack you.”
Not oblivious to his sack threat or his authority to act, Zulum called me to his room after returning to Monguno, and said, “My brother, it has never been my intention to be confrontational. But I am privileged to have a lot of sensitive information that you people don’t have. Monguno is the last town standing. If we keep quiet and allow this huge space without a human population, the insurgents will have the luxury to strategize, and gradually, we will reach a point where Maiduguri itself will fall.”
He continued: “I took an oath to protect my people, and I will do that with my last drop of blood. I don’t mind losing my life if that will bring peace to Borno; I am ready for the supreme sacrifice.”
Back to the claim by Sowore and cohorts. Do you not clearly see that these are detractors and merchants of war, who do not want Borno to live in peace? Do you not see what they are frustrated at and cashing-in on to perpetrate their evil campaigns?
We the people of Borno are aware of the threat once posed by the “Malian gang”. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Borno State Government and security agencies, the activities of this once notorious criminal group, which terrorised soft targets, has been curtailed. They once terrorised the state by robbing people across communities and commercial vehicles, using dangerous weapons like axe, guns, jack knives, among others, which have in several instances, resulted to the loss of lives and property and inflicted live-threatening injuries on many.
Zulum swiftly deployed every machinery to curb the menace, and I have seen one of the purveyors of the false information reluctantly commend Zulum’s efforts. Do you not see how they live elsewhere, but instigate you to rebel, while hiding behind the veil of promoting human rights? Their aim is to divert your attention away from the real, practically-evident progress made by Zulum across sectors.
We are all witnesses to Zulum’s rebuilding effort, which has now become a landmark across the length and breadth of Borno. He has and continues to build new schools, provide healthcare facilities and services, and other infrastructure that were destroyed during the conflict. He understands that education is a key foundation for nation-building.
Zulum re-established schools that were once closed. This spiked enrolment and ensured that children could access quality education. His administration implemented programs to provide scholarships and support for teachers to encourage teaching and learning.
Despite the challenges, he remained steadfast, focused, and dedicated to make Borno great again.
So, dear citizens of Borno, trust in your Governor. His hard work, resilience, and unwavering dedication to your well-being are unparalleled. Let’s continue to stand firm, support one another, and believe in the power of hope and unity.
… Haters of the Media Team, slow down, we are winding up!
Nevertheless, to you – yes, you, who religiously and fanatically hate the members of Zulum’s media team; please slow down. We have expended the most part of our tenure in office. We know how you so much crave to take our place. Please, do not be inpatient. We are already winding up, and we shall leave the stage in no time.
We have seen all the good, bad, and ugly comments. We thank you so much for the good, as well as for the bad and the ugly. If not for anything, you have contributed greatly towards increasing our visibility. For example, I have got a lot more followers in the last few days; in fact, much more than the usual.
Let me, however, say that for the benefit of those genuinely concerned and frustrated by the negative comments on the Governor, a rejoinder is not always the best. It is important to approach criticism with a mind-set of media literacy. Some critics may latch onto sensational claims because they resonate emotionally. A rejoinder can draw more attention to the original false claim, and potentially, amplify the misinformation instead of clarifying it.
In strategic communication, depending on the issue, a quiet correction, a policy-focused briefing, or a long-form, but fragmented explainer may be more productive than a rapid rebuttal. The goal is to preserve public trust, not to win a rhetorical battle.
Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi,
Senior Technical Assistant to Governor Zulum on Print & Digital Communications
