Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. (The Sun Nigeria)
By Alphonsus Okoroigwe
As the era of some Nigerian state governors who assumed office in 2019 winds down in 2027, I have taken ample time to assess the value they have brought to governance. And while most of them now bask in the euphoria of their strong performance, the case of Senator Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, stands out.
When he took over the reins in 2019, Bauchi was falling into ruin. Roads were broken, schools were crumbling, water was scarce, and workers were unhappy.
But the entire Bauchi State has been rebuilt today, with the capital city of Bauchi now wearing a new look – dualised roads, solid flyovers, high-performance streetlights, robust drainage system, beautiful roundabouts, and a befitting Government House. In essence, the former FCT Minister has replicated the classy touch of Abuja in Bauchi.
More so, he has given Bauchi children a future by building and renovating over 1,000 classroom blocks across the 20 local government areas, providing desks, uniforms, and learning materials free of charge. He also paid WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and JAMB fees for thousands of indigent students, so no child would miss exams because of poverty. In addition, he completed the construction of internal roads at the Bauchi State University, Gadau, renaming it to Sa’ad Zungur University, increasing student scholarships to 50 percent, and inaugurating a visitation panel to drive academic and structural growth.
He also revived the Bauchi Urban Water Scheme and drilled boreholes in rural communities where women and children used to trek kilometers for water. Some of Governor Bala Mohammed’s strides in the water sector include the World Bank-assisted Bauchi Urban Water Sector Reform Project for people living in the capital city, upgrading Gubi Dam and Warinje Reservoir, and rehabilitating the Alkaleri Water Scheme.
For the health sector, he upgraded the Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, constructing new buildings, operating theatres, and special care units; as well as providing digital record systems and advanced medical equipment. He also built over 100 residential quarters for health workers, equipped primary healthcare centres in all 20 local government areas, and employed thousands of health personnel.
Through the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP), he empowered women and youths with capital, machines, and skills. Little wonder the Accredited Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, at its national summit last October, awarded him Best Governor of the Year in Primary Healthcare, Nutrition, Urban Renewal and Infrastructural Development.
As Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, he was a national voice who boldly spoke for good governance, fairness, and justice.
When Senator Bala Mohammed, Kauran Bauchi’s two-term tenure as Governor of Bauchi State constitutionally ends in May 2027, he will be seen leaving honourably, with his projects standing tall amidst a barrage of gratitude from most of his people, for the quality stewardship he rendered.
He will be leaving with salaries duly paid workers, and projects completed and commissioned. He will be leaving a more peaceful, a more stable, and a more beautiful Bauchi State – better than he met it.
From his first projects that focused on urban renewal and infrastructure in 2019 to his recent commissioning of the Bauchi Radiodiagnostic Centre, he will hopefully end his tenure as a governor who started well, and be best described as a governor who finished well.
Against the noise of politics, history will remember the roads, the schools, the water, the hospitals, the electricity, and the dignity he restored to Bauchi State.
Governor Bala, may your next chapter speak so much of Nigeria, greater than the height you are about to vacate.
Alphonsus Okoroigwe is an international multimedia journalist
