A missionary and indigene of Borno State, Bitrus Mathaware has described the present governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum as one of the best things that have ever happened to the state, saying both Christians and Muslims in the state are happy with him.
He expressed confidence and hope that if he is given the needed military support, the issue of insurgency will be a thing of the past in the state.
Mathaware who spoke with Church Times recently said the Boko haram insurgents have done incalculable harm to the Northeast in general and to Borno State in particular.
He, however, expressed hope that all that has been “lost to the insurgents will be recovered as the Lord lives”
The missionary said he lost about five of his cousin brothers to the insurgents and that his mother died in an IDP camp in Cameroon. But ever since the present government assumed office a glimpse of hope has surfaced and he has been up and doing. He said the governor has been a great blessing to the state.
“He is not a biased man. He is forthright and he does everything to ensure that life returns to normal in the state. We thank God for the present governor. Both Christians and Muslims are proud of him. He has been discharging his duties relentlessly despite the enormous challenges staring him in the face. He is a man who fears God and loves the people of the state. He is not biased. He is doing everything to see that insecurity in Borno State comes to an end. He personally declared fasting for the whole state for peace to return to the state. We pray that God will give him the right people to support him.”
Recalling the devastation in the state, he said, “many lives were lost, many properties have been destroyed. We had to close our missions’ post in Maiduguri because of the insecurity and moved to Adamawa State. The security situation is still far from what we desire. But the good thing is that we have a governor who is working tirelessly to ensure peace returns to the state.”
Mathaware, noted that there are so many needs staring his mission body in the face. “People are challenged. But in the midst of the challenges, God is faithful. Last year, over 300 hundred people surrendered their lives to Christ on our various mission fields.
“We reach out to displaced people. We have led so many people to Christ in the IDP camps. Sometimes you are discouraged. But the encouragement we have is that God is the one who has called us and he uses people to meet our needs. We pray that God will continue to raise helpers for the success of His work especially in this trying times.”
