Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the late Brigadier Musa Usman as a key figure in the transformation of Maiduguri into a modern regional capital, highlighting his investments in roads, railways, government institutions and residential districts.
Shettima made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja at the public presentation of “Service and Impact: Brigadier Musa Usman 1940–1991”, a book documenting the life, career and legacy of the late military administrator.
Represented at the event by Aliyu Mudibo, the vice president said successive administrations had continued to build on the foundations established by Musa Usman, adding that his leadership remained relevant to the development challenges facing the North-East.
“Successive administrations built upon these foundations, and as governor of Borno State, I inherited both the achievements and responsibilities of those who came before me,” he said.
Shettima said development in the region had continued under the current Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, despite the challenges confronting the state.
“Today, under my brother and successor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, reconstruction and development continue, despite the challenges of the time,” he said.
The vice president said the book would contribute to preserving Nigeria’s national memory by documenting the contributions of administrators, public servants, traditional rulers, business people, farmers, teachers and ordinary citizens who helped shape the North-East.
“The North-East we know today was shaped by administrators, public servants, traditional rulers, business people, farmers, teachers and the ordinary citizens,” he said.
Shettima described Musa Usman as an important figure in the region’s history, saying he played a significant role in establishing a functioning state and developing Maiduguri into a regional capital.
“Brigadier Musa Usman stood at a crucial point in that history. He helped establish a functioning state, develop Maiduguri as a regional capital, and nurture cooperation among communities that now inhabit six states,” he said.
The vice president, who previously served as governor of Borno State, said Musa Usman’s legacy provided valuable lessons for present-day leaders.
He urged leaders to embrace selfless public service and apply the principle to areas including reconstruction, agriculture, education, transportation, energy, industrialisation, employment, environmental restoration, peace and security.
“We must build beyond the next elections and think beyond political boundaries,” he said.
“Leadership is measured by what continues to serve the people after the leader has left office.”
Earlier, Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum said Musa Usman combined integrity with effective governance, adding that the impact of his leadership could still be seen decades after his death.
Zulum said the late military administrator established important foundations in education, healthcare and the economy, which the six states of the North-East had continued to build upon.
He added that Musa Usman invested heavily in infrastructure and introduced initiatives designed to unlock the region’s economic potential, including the establishment of the Ashaka Cement project.
“What makes his record particularly worthy of remembrance is not only the number of projects undertaken, but the character with which he served,” Zulum said.
The governor described Musa Usman as a leader recognised for integrity, modesty, discipline and a strong sense of duty.
According to Zulum, the late brigadier belonged to a generation that viewed public office as a responsibility rather than an opportunity for personal gain.
“The title of this book, Service and Impact, is therefore most appropriate.
“Service without impact is incomplete, while impact without integrity cannot endure.
“Brigadier Musa Usman combined both. He served with honour, and the consequences of his service remain visible decades after his departure from office,” he said.
In his keynote address, former Chief of Army Staff, Major General (retd.) Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, described the book as a reminder of the sacrifices associated with military service.
He said military service involved deliberately placing the safety, security and freedom of others ahead of personal comfort and, in some circumstances, survival.
“It is an acknowledgement that there is something greater than the individual,” Nwachukwu said.
He noted that military service was rarely glamorous, adding that its realities were often found in the demanding stages of training where individuals were developed into disciplined teams.
“Musa passed on too early in life, yet your presence looms even larger in our hearts and lives in our society,” he said.
Nwachukwu also paid tribute to Musa Usman’s wife, Jumai, for keeping the family together over the years.
He said the occasion was an opportunity to honour the late brigadier’s contributions to the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, the former North-Eastern State and Nigeria.
“Fare thee well, Musa, where you are in the heavens. Intercede with the Almighty God to make Nigeria a place where we all become to call our home, a place where religion, ethnicity, creed don’t matter,” he said.
He further encouraged younger Nigerians to learn from the shortcomings of previous generations and work towards building a stronger country.
Speaking for the family, Hassan Musa Usman expressed appreciation to the dignitaries and guests who attended the event, describing their presence as a tribute to their late father.
Hassan said the idea for the book originated from their mother, Hajia Chioma Jumai Usman, who believed that Musa Usman’s life and contributions should be properly documented.
He added that their late sister also played a significant role in bringing the project to completion before her death just over a year ago.
“We complete this work today in her honour and in his as well,” he said.
Hassan explained that the book was intended not only to chronicle Musa Usman’s military career but also to preserve his vision and the impact of his leadership.
He noted that Musa Usman became governor of the former North-Eastern State at just 27, despite initially intending to pursue a career as a soldier rather than a statesman.
“He set out to be a soldier, not a statesman. Yet, at the age of 27, he found himself governor of the North Eastern State, the largest subnational landmass in the country,” Hassan said.
According to him, Musa Usman governed the region for eight years, learning while in office and managing a vast territory comprising six states and more than 100 ethnic nationalities.
One of the authors, Theophilus Abbah, said the research team was able to gain access to important personalities because of the goodwill enjoyed by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
“We were able to accomplish this because of the goodwill that General Gowon had. If he hadn’t had that goodwill, we wouldn’t have been able to access the people that we had to interview,” he said.
Abbah also acknowledged the assistance provided by Musa Usman’s children, particularly Hassan, throughout the research process.
Another author, Mahmmud Jega, said the researchers discovered that important historical records relating to Musa Usman’s service had been preserved.
“We found the records were intact — all the speeches, the National Memorial programmes, and everything,” Jega said.
He said the researchers also consulted newspaper reports and archival materials, particularly records from the New Nigerian and other newspapers published during the period.
Jega commended the Borno State History Bureau for preserving speeches, photographs and other historical materials documenting the activities of Musa Usman and other governors of the period.
