I had the honour and privilege to meet Adamawa State Governor Boni Haruna at his Dougirie residence in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital.
I’ve had a great conversation with the Former Governor who is unexpectedly a great conversationalist, hearing him speak closely; you will know what a kind, sincere and diligent man he is
Governor Boni Haruna looks calm, collected and cool, in fact, he looks like someone who doesn’t talk, but believe me; he is a great conversationalist.
He is loaded with wisdom, records and events. His diction, choice of words and command of English will tell you that Intelligence is class.
After being friends on Facebook for quite some time and meeting for the first time at his home today, I was perplexed when the former Governor came and called me out for a private meeting which lasted for about an hour.
Did I even mention that I was the youngest amongst those sitting comfortably waiting on the former Governor? Well, just like how he was picked by God at 41 to Govern the state, that’s how he singled me out, called me by my tribal name.
The conversation started like a father and son conversation which later catapulted into a full-blown lecture on politics, life and power.
But you know our elders na, they always ask young guys when they will settle down; I wasn’t an exception because I was asked too and I gave the right answer.
The Former Governor went back memory lane for the conversation to flow, he spoke from when he was Governor Jolly Nyame’s Personal Assistant in 1991/92, you read that well, he was a Governor’s PA.
You read that well, he was a Personal Assistant to a Governor at the age of 33, but it was short-lived by a military insurrection in November 1993 when he was around 35 years of age.
It might interest you to know that he then became a Governor 6 years after in 1999, one interesting fact is that, he and his former principal were elected Governors in their various states (Adamawa and Taraba).
In 1999, Governor Boni Haruna became the youngest democratically elected Governor in the history of Adamawa State, probably northeast.
His administration which ran from 1999 to 2007, is adjudged to be the best administration because of its policies, reforms and infrastructural developments.
It is worthy to note that under his administration, Law students who went to Law school were paid N300,000 each, Medical Students were also being paid while Police Cadets collected N500,000 each.
Due to the welfare magnanimity of his administration, over 5000 teachers benefitted from state governments car loans, they were also trained and retrained regularly.
Because of him, our parents occupying government owned quarters around 1999 to 2007 became house owners when he approved owner occupier, some are still occupying the houses he built for civil servants while he was Governor.
He has not only left a robust economy when he left in 2007, but Adamawa State was debt free. In fact, he initiated and laid the foundation for Paris club refund, where the state has recovered about 40 Billion Naira.
He was able to block all leakages as well as run the most disciplined government, which improved the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
Governor Boni Haruna is a man of principle, a passionate and committed Christian who has modelled Adamawa into what is becoming now, he has proved his worth and steadfastness.
He has shown the dynamics of Governance and has used his passion and dream to build the Adamawa of today by maximizing the use of power for the use of the people.
14 years after leaving Dougirie House, Boni is still loved and cherished by all and sundry.
This are some of the major breakthrough recorded during his 8 years rule:
Founded Adamawa State University, Mubi
Constructed Jimeta Utra Modern Market
Constructed Jimeta Shopping Complex
Completed and fully upgraded the current Government House
He constructed the Adamawa State House of Assembly Complex Yola.
He completed the Adamawa State Secretariat Complex
He renovated the Yola Specialist Hospital
He also renovated all General, Cottage Hospitals across the state.
He established Mubi burnt bricks factory
Apart for renovated all the Government Secondary Schools across the State, he introduced scholarship scheme as well as the full payment of WAEC and NECO
The number of roads constructed or rehabilitated are too numerous to mention.
He literally built and introduced almost all the things we are enjoying as a state currently.