Re-evaluating Nggilari’s 7 Months Tenure As Adamawa Governor, The Need For Another Mandate

By Modibbo Alfa

It is said that good leaders are made by God through popular mandate of their people. Such is indeed, the scenario that led Barrister Bala James Nggilari to succeed his principal, the then Governor Murtala Nyako, a retired Rear Admiral of the Nigerian Navy who he was deputizing.

It is in public domain that the former Governor Nggilari, now a loyal and devoted stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was able to record tremendous successes after taking over from Nyako who is popularly called Baba Mai Mangoro by his admirers.

Notable among his numerous achievements in just Seven months of assumption of office as Governor was his ability to reclaim some local governments in the state that were hitherto, in custody of Boko Haram insurgents.

In 2014, by divine providence, Right Hon. Bala James Nggilari became Governor of Adamawa State at the most challenging time the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents had threatened to take over Yola, the State capital after they had successfully captured seven local government areas of the State.

He immediately came up with the new concept of mobilizing and engaging ‘Yan Bakka (local Hunters) and the Vigilantes (Neighbourhood watch) to augment the Nigerian military and they were able to repelled them and reclaimed the affected local government areas.

Barrister Nggilari immediately after taking charge as Governor of Adamawa state precisely 8th October 2014 ruled up to 29th May 21015.

During the period under review, the peace loving governor then, initiated the incorporation of Hunters and Vigilantes into the Security architecture of the State to support the military to combat insurgency.

The initiative which resulted to the recovery of the hitherto seven (7) lost Local Government Areas of Gombi, Hong, Maiha, Mubi South, Mubi North, Michika and Madagali can never be forgotten in the annals of history.

To help in achieving that historical feat, his administration ensured the procurement of 50 Hilux Vans for distribution to Hunters/Vigilante groups supporting the military in the fight against Boko Haram.

To ease the hardship of IDPs, the Ex-Governor procured adequate relief materials and assorted food items worth millions of Naira and distributed to the affected persons who were vulnerable.

Worthy of note, is his ability to ensure up to date payment of workers’ salaries with the exception of the month he left office – May, 2015. He was also able to settle the backlog of 2012 annual Leave Grant allowances to civil servants.

In order to boost water supply uninterrupted, the former Governor inaugurated a committee on township water rehabilitation for Jimeta and Yola towns on 10th November, 2014, the initiative recorded huge success with the establishment of Bekaji Pumping station in addition to adequate number of boreholes and in many other and villages towns across the state.

Apart from execution of projects in many sectors too numerous to mention, his administration ensured 100% completion of all projects awarded under UBE during his tenure to boost education in the state.

Although the former Governor is not the noise-making type of politicians that are fun of beating drums on every single achievement even if it means within their constitutional responsibility, but certainly, good things are always difficult to hide.

It is incumbent to stress that considering his versatility in politics and governance, Nggilari will no doubt be instrumental to the development of Adamawa state and Nigeria as a whole if given another mandate.

Rt. Hon. Bala James Nggilari, former Governor of Adamawa State, whose peaceful disposition endears him to many, some school of thoughts believe is a material that shouldn’t be forgotten even though he has remained quite since his exit from Adamawa Government House.

Borned on 4th December, 1953 to a Missionary Teacher, his humble beginning saw him transiting through Mission Fields as he also acquired primary education in Gashala, Gulak and Lassa in both Adamawa and Borno States.

Nggilari had served as Legal Adviser and External Solicitor to many Government Departments and Agencies as well as multi-business Enterprises including, NTA Maiduguri, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Chad Basin, National Park, First Bank Plc, Central Bank of Nigeria and UBA PLC.

Available record shows that Nggilari joined active politics when he was appointed member of the Constitutional Conference of 1994, representing Mubi ‘A’ Constituency, which is Madagali Local Government.

In 2003, he was elected as member of the House of Representatives representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency of Adamawa State during which he served as Deputy Chairman, Committee on Narcotics, Drugs and Financial Crimes, Deputy Chairman, Committee on Justice, Member, Revenue Allocation Committee, Member, Constitution Review Committee and many others.

After having a successful four year tenure of satisfactory representation of his people he won primaries of his party to contest for a second term but was called upon by the elders and stakeholders of his party in the State to take up the Deputy Governorship position as part of strategy of ensuring the success of the party in the 2007 general elections.This he did and the party won elections and he became the Deputy Governor.

While serving as Deputy Governor, he was nicknamed “Damo Sarkin Hakuri” by praise singers, simply translated to mean “King of Patience” because of his humility and peaceful character.

Modibbo Alfa is a Public Affairs Commentator in Bauchi and can be reach through Wattsup Number: 07030320397