Bauchi Governor Goofed on Ambassador Tuggar

By Louis Achi

In the vibrant North-East political eco-system, Bauchi State has no shortage of genuine thinkers, innovators and intellectuals. Interestingly, the state that birthed top-flight visioners that drove the First Republic also has its fair share of petty personalities with inflated egos pushing transactional playbooks and vapid leadership qualities to boot.

This latter category of discredited politicians nurtures an insidious, insular mindset baked into Bauchi society that leads some of the people currently exploiting Bauchi to believe they’re the only ones who can lead the charge. This is regressive and promotes the wrong development narrative.

But the good news is that a certain class of far more pragmatic, focused emergent leaders and consummate intellectuals have dealt a blow to such overweening hubris – and this is really salutary for Bauchi. Astute Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, nifty diplomat and politician and currently Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs who meritoriously served as the nation’s Ambassador to Europe’s powerhouse, Germany, from 2017 to 2023, belongs to this new, forward-thinking class.

But instead of acknowledging and appreciating this towering diplomatic, political son of the soil and a compelling intellectual talent, the leadership of the state is more focused on rubbishing the governance trajectory of both Ambassador Tuggar and his adroit principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Bauchi’s leadership also bent over backwards to insist that the highly attuned ambassador is oblivious of what’s developmentally transpiring in his own state.

According to the Italian historian and statesman Francesco Guicciardini, “Ambassadors are the eye and ear of states.” While totally focused on his continental and global brief as the arrowhead of the African giant – Nigeria’s foreign policy – Ambassador Tuggar never takes his eyes off the ball on what is happening in his home state in terms of developmental transformation, or its lack. This footing aligns with Guicciardini’s philosophy.

Ambassador Tuggar also significantly departs from the poet Robert Frost’s humorous position that “A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age.” As far as Bauchi State is concerned, Tuggar clearly remembers both ‘her birthday and age’ and that is why he is worried sick at the quirky stagnation the state is experiencing under the leadership of Senator Bala Mohammed.

Perhaps, driven by the real fear that the state is on the edge of the precipice ahead of the 2027 elections, given its unflattering performance, the ruling party in the state believes that taking down perceived opponents on time would help it retain power beyond the next election cycle. This scenario is not helped by very strong speculations that Ambassador Tuggar is the man to beat, come 2027 governorship election in the state. But the emerging consensus is that Bala Mohammed’s nervousness is also cooking his delusions.

In a recent interview with the BBC Hausa, Bala Mohammed had curiously accused the minister of not handling the country’s diplomatic affairs effectively.

Further, the governor also faulted the federal government’s handling of military coups in some neighbouring countries. The Bauchi governor has been stridently critical of the Bola Tinubu administration lately, especially in the ongoing debate on tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.

These twin diatribes indicate that either Bala Mohammed is afflicted with selective amnesia or needs a memory reboot.  Not one to permit the grass row under his feet, Ambassador Tuggar quickly set the records straight in an interview with BBC, in Hausa, and a latter interview with the ARISE NEWS Television, to educate Bauchi people, who are predominantly Hausa speaking, to embrace the clarification. His clarifications also spoke to the North.

He pointed out how Bala Mohammed is mismanaging the state’s funds and allocating plots of land to his cronies, friends, allies, and family. His words: “Bauchi state has received over N8.8 billion in October, and N9 billion in November, with nothing to show on in the state.”

A clearly miffed Tuggar also blasted the governor’s initiative of allocating plots of land for farming in the state, saying, “The governor is using the state’s funds in buying assets and plots of land from the masses,” an act that is synonymous with land grabbing, where peasants are dispossessed of their only title to livelihood. This is clearly indefensible and unacceptable in any sane society, notwithstanding the governor’s uninspiring denials.

Ambassador Tuggar accused the Bauchi governor of promoting North-South divide with the manner he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills. His words: “The problem with him is not criticising President Tinubu but the manner he is doing it. He is not doing with sincerity; he lacks sincerity of purpose. He is doing it to create a North-South divide.”

Tuggar described the claim that the North was against Tinubu’s administration, as implied by Mohammed, due to the tax bills as a dangerous narrative by the opposition elements who wanted to perpetuate themselves in power and correctly argued that the governor was hiding under his selfish ambition to make accusations against Tinubu’s administration.

The minister also accused the governor of mismanaging the resources of the state.

Hear him: “Instead of focusing on social services, instead of focusing on infrastructure, he is busy expanding the government house with variations. He started at N6.6 billion. He took it to over N9 billion, then to over N12 billion, and then to N16.6 billion. Is that our priority? What about education for out-of-school children? Healthcare or the poor, giving farmers the needed input so that they could farm. Is that not the priority?

Curiously, Governor Mohammed’s counter accusations regularly display surprising ignorance and absent mindedness, something that should not be associated with a state chief executive who should utilize the information machinery at his disposal.

Many can recall that the military takeover in Mali happened before President Tinubu came to power and Ambassador Tuggar wasn’t overseeing the foreign affairs ministry then.

President Tinubu wasn’t in power when the military took over in Burkina Faso and also Ambassador Tuggar wasn’t a minister during the coup in Niger Republic. How then can Governor Mohammed logically and boldly blame his Bauchi State brother as possibly the fellow who engineered the coups? A governor with such a foggy memory cannot be genuinely expected to deliver meaningful governance dividends.

The Bauchi State governor and his minders even went further to accuse Ambassador Tuggar of dragging Nigeria into the orbit of French hegemony in Africa and abandoning the country’s historically Afrocentric foreign policy. They erroneously and ignorantly allege that this shift has alienated nations fighting against French neocolonial dominance and has positioned Nigeria as a willing accomplice to France’s imperial ambitions.

In effect, before the eyes of Nigerians, Bala’s poor-performing subnational entity, according to some rating platforms, Bauchi State has ‘seized control’ of Nigeria’s foreign policy and is dictating how it should be run.

But pray, what is the development rating of Bauchi State compared to its peers? Which Bauchi youths, beyond periodic choreographed media optics, has ever been genuinely empowered by Bala’s years in power? Genuine empowerment breaks poverty cycles and is trackable.

According to data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for 2022, about 72% of the people of Bauchi State are considered multidimensionally poor, often residing in homes constructed with natural or rudimentary materials. Additionally, over 69.2%, are experiencing deprivation in accessing clean cooking fuel, often resorting to dung, wood, or charcoal for cooking purposes.

A local Bauchi publication, WikkiTimes, reports that data from the NBS show that Bauchi State received the sum of N75.2 billion as allocation from the federation accounts committee in 2023. It also received another N69.72 billion as local government allocation, meaning that between the state and local government, the state received a sum of N144 billion in one year, but the faces of the people of Bauchi today largely spell hunger, starvation and disease.

How then would attacking, President Tinubu and demonizing Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar purge Bauchi of this embarrassing poverty rating which it has no business with, given its bountiful natural endowments.

When Ambassador Tuggar was alleging spending profligacy by the state government, he certainly wasn’t grandstanding. Seasoned diplomats of Tuggar’s ilk don’t grandstand.

As it were, a powerful vision attracts ideas, people, and resources. It creates the momentum and will to make change happen. It inspires individuals, complementary organizations and institutions to commit, to persist and to give their best. Keying into this philosophy, Tuggar has also deployed impeccable professionalism, discipline and persistence to change the nation’s traditional foreign policy narrative, despite associated challenges.

Today, Nigeria is towering in diplomacy, rubbing shoulders with European countries and knocking on the doors at BRICS.

The emerging consensus is that instead of Bala Mohammed and his proxies’ efforts at smearing Ambassador Tuggar, it is better to shelve those political differences and embrace responsible governance and forward-looking policy formulation and execution to make Bauchi grow.

Governor Bala Mohammed should emplace a new governance model that prioritises the interests of the people of Bauchi. It is indisputable that with Ambassador Tuggar as a close and trusted ally of the president, Bauchi is uniquely positioned to enjoy federal patronage, resources and more.

But Bala Mohammed is blinded by a vaulting ambition, which clearly is a mirage. Clearly, Bala goofed in his ill-motivated and needless attacks on Ambassador Yusuf Maitam Tuggar. Bauchi State deserves better.

Protecting the Energy Sector from Cyber Threats

Kenechi Okeke

The energy sector forms the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, powering industries, homes, and essential services. However, as the sector becomes increasingly digitized, it faces growing cyber threats that could disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data, and jeopardize national security. Protecting Nigeria’s energy sector from these threats is not only a technical challenge but also a strategic imperative for ensuring economic stability and sustainable development.

Nigeria’s energy infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, power plants, and distribution networks, relies heavily on digital technologies for operations and monitoring. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, for instance, are used to manage processes and control remote operations. However, these systems are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals and state-sponsored attackers due to their critical importance. Key vulnerabilities include:

•       Outdated Systems: Many energy facilities still use legacy systems that lack modern cybersecurity features, making them easy targets for cyberattacks.

•       Insufficient Security Policies: A lack of standardized security protocols across the sector leaves gaps in defense mechanisms.

•       Human Error: Employees may inadvertently expose systems to cyber threats through phishing attacks or weak password practices.

•       Third-Party Risks: Vendors and contractors with access to critical systems can introduce vulnerabilities if their security measures are inadequate.

A successful cyberattack on Nigeria’s energy sector could have devastating consequences, including:

•       Operational Disruptions: Interruptions in power supply and oil production could cripple industries and essential services.

•       Economic Losses: Downtime and repairs following an attack could cost billions, impacting government revenue and foreign investments.

•       Environmental Damage: Cyberattacks on oil and gas facilities could result in spills and leaks, causing severe environmental harm.

•       National Security Risks: Compromised energy infrastructure could weaken Nigeria’s defense capabilities and economic independence.

To address these vulnerabilities, Nigeria must adopt a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity in the energy sector. Key strategies include:

1. Implementing Robust Cybersecurity Frameworks by Developing and enforce sector-specific cybersecurity standards, including regular risk assessments and incident response protocols. Mandating the use of advanced encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems for all critical infrastructure.

2. Enhancing Workforce Training and Awareness by Conducting regular training programs to educate employees about cyber risks and best practices for maintaining security. Also Establishing strict protocols for handling sensitive data and accessing critical systems.

3. Investing in Modern Technology by Upgrading legacy systems to incorporate modern cybersecurity features. Adopting advanced monitoring tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and mitigate threats in real-time.

4. Public-Private Partnerships by Encouraging collaboration between government agencies, energy companies, and cybersecurity firms to share knowledge and resources. Also Establishing a centralized body to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across the energy sector.

5. Enforcing Regulatory Compliance by Introducing stringent penalties for non-compliance with cybersecurity regulations. Also Requiring energy companies to conduct regular audits and submit reports on their cybersecurity measures.

Nigeria can draw lessons from global leaders in energy cybersecurity. For instance, the United States has established the Department of Energy’s Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) office, which focuses on protecting critical energy infrastructure. Similar initiatives in Nigeria could help coordinate national efforts and provide targeted support to energy companies.

Emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) offer new opportunities to enhance cybersecurity in the energy sector. AI-powered systems can analyze large volumes of data to identify potential threats, while blockchain can secure transactions and ensure data integrity. However, integrating these technologies requires careful planning and investment.

Protecting Nigeria’s energy sector from cyber threats is a complex but essential task. By adopting robust cybersecurity frameworks, fostering collaboration, and leveraging emerging technologies, Nigeria can safeguard its energy infrastructure and ensure a stable, secure future. The time to act is now, as the cost of inaction could be catastrophic for the nation’s economy and security.

• Kenechi Okeke is a skilled professional with expertise in project management, IT systems, and cybersecurity. Holding advanced degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Management Information Systems, he has contributed to critical industries by enhancing IT resilience, streamlining operations, and advancing cybersecurity protocols. His mission is to protect vital systems globally.