By: Abdullahi Inuwa
In a nation where political headlines are often dominated by controversy, elections and security challenges, a simple gesture of compassion from Borno State has become the subject of national admiration.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu publicly singled out Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s Ramadan outreach programme, his remarks went beyond praising a seasonal act of charity. They reflected a broader message about leadership, religious tolerance and the power of governance rooted in humanity.
“I must refer to the generosity of Professor Zulum,” the President said. “I saw the layout of those Ramadan outreaches for both Christians and Muslims. That’s a very good spirit. I watched the story on TV.”
Those few words carried significant weight. They were not merely an endorsement of food distribution during Ramadan; they recognised a style of leadership that places people above politics and unity above religious differences.
For many Nigerians, Ramadan palliatives are nothing new. Every year, governments, politicians, philanthropists and organisations distribute food items to Muslim faithful during the holy month.
What distinguished Governor Zulum’s intervention, however, was its deliberate inclusiveness. The programme embraced not only Muslims observing the Ramadan fast but also Christian communities across Borno State, reinforcing the message that government exists to serve every citizen equally.
That decision transformed what could have been viewed as a routine welfare programme into a powerful symbol of national unity.
Borno State is perhaps the Nigerian state that understands the value of togetherness better than most. After years of insurgency, displacement and humanitarian crises, communities have learned that recovery requires cooperation rather than division.
Families have suffered regardless of faith, while rebuilding efforts have demanded collective sacrifice.
Governor Zulum’s administration has consistently approached governance from that perspective. Whether rebuilding schools destroyed by insurgents, resettling displaced persons, restoring healthcare facilities or providing agricultural support, his policies have largely reflected the belief that development should not discriminate.
The Ramadan outreach became another extension of that philosophy.
Thousands of vulnerable households across the state’s 27 local government areas benefited from the intervention.
Widows, internally displaced persons, the elderly, persons living with disabilities and economically disadvantaged families received food supplies designed to ease the burden of the fasting season and prevailing economic realities.
Yet the greatest value of the programme may not have been measured in bags of rice or cartons of food items.
Its greatest impact lay in the message it conveyed—that compassion has no religion.
President Tinubu’s commendation suggests that such gestures matter at the national level. At a time when Nigeria continues to confront economic pressures and occasional religious tensions, examples of inclusive governance offer a reminder that leadership is ultimately judged not only by infrastructure projects or economic statistics but also by the ability to unite people.
The President’s public acknowledgment also highlights another defining characteristic of Governor Zulum’s administration—its consistency.
Over the years, Zulum has cultivated an image of a leader who spends considerable time in communities, personally supervising projects, visiting displaced persons’ camps and responding swiftly to humanitarian emergencies. His hands-on style has earned praise from development partners, security agencies and ordinary residents alike.
Observers argue that this accessibility has helped strengthen public confidence in government, particularly in communities recovering from conflict.
The Ramadan outreach therefore did not emerge in isolation. Rather, it formed part of a broader governance philosophy centred on social protection, inclusion and direct engagement with citizens.
For Nigeria’s political class, the President’s remarks may also carry an important lesson.
In an era where political success is often measured by campaign rhetoric, social media visibility and partisan victories, citizens increasingly seek leaders whose actions demonstrate empathy and fairness. Humanitarian programmes that transcend ethnic and religious boundaries can strengthen public trust far more than divisive narratives.
Governor Zulum’s Ramadan initiative illustrates that public office is not only about managing budgets or executing projects. It is equally about building bridges between communities and reinforcing the idea that every Nigerian deserves dignity, irrespective of religious affiliation.
That perhaps explains why President Tinubu chose to highlight the programme publicly.
His commendation was not simply about generosity. It was about recognising a leadership model that promotes peaceful coexistence through practical action rather than speeches.
As Nigeria continues its search for enduring unity, examples such as Borno’s inclusive Ramadan outreach remind the country that nation-building often begins with simple acts of kindness extended without discrimination.
In the end, the food distributed during Ramadan will eventually be consumed.
But the message behind the gesture—that leadership is strongest when it embraces every citizen—may endure far longer.
And judging by President Tinubu’s words, it is a message worthy of national attention.
Abdullahi Inuwa Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.comÂ
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