World/Mega at 60: Sanusi Kiru celebrates Usman Bello Kumo’s journey of resilience

As Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Usman Bello Kumo, popularly known as World/Mega, marks his 60th birthday, Hon. Sanusi Majidadin Kiru has celebrated the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and Member representing Akko Federal Constituency as a brother, friend, grassroots politician and distinguished public servant whose journey has been defined by courage, resilience and commitment to his people.

In a birthday tribute, Kiru recalled that his relationship with Kumo dates back 31 years to their days as student activists at Bayero University Kano, where Kumo studied Law and served as President of the Students’ Union Government during the 1997/1998 academic session.

According to him, their friendship grew from the student movement and has endured through years of public service and political engagement.

Kiru said he still remembers the comrades of the National Association of Nigerian Students struggle with whom they shared the passion and idealism of student activism, including former NANS Presidents Baba Kazalla, Bashir Abdullahi, Keasha Ayega, Shehu Sha’aibu Kura, Omisore, Radical B, Kabiru Aluta, Dennis Inyang, Moses Oisakede and Wole Badmus, popularly known as “Wolly Bee”.

“What I admire most in World/Mega is that despite his remarkable rise, he has never discarded those relationships,” Kiru said, describing Kumo’s ability to maintain friendships from his early days as one of his most enduring qualities.

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From student activism, Kumo moved into public service, serving as Secretary of the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission in 2005 before becoming Chairman of Akko Local Government Area for two terms.

His political journey later took him to the National Assembly, where he became a third-term Member of the House of Representatives representing Akko Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Kumo has also served as Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs in both the 7th and 9th Assemblies and has now risen to become Chief Whip, one of the principal officers of the House.

Kiru described resilience as one of the defining features of Kumo’s political career, noting that his rise was not achieved without difficult electoral contests, legal tussles and political challenges.

“Nothing has come to him on a platter of gold,” he said, adding that every challenge appeared to have strengthened Kumo’s resolve and reinforced his connection with the people.

According to Kiru, Kumo’s representation has also translated into interventions in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment, economic empowerment and community development.

Among the projects highlighted was the Dakkiti Road, about four kilometres of township roads across Kumo and the strategic Kunji–Kidda–Panda Road, which was captured in the 2024 federal appropriation at about N2 billion.

Kiru said the roads were more than physical infrastructure, as they connect communities, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, improve access to markets and support local economic activity.

He also described the Federal Medical Centre, Kumo, as one of the most consequential developments associated with Kumo’s representation.

According to him, Kumo played an important legislative role in advancing the establishment of the institution, including co-sponsoring the relevant legislation in the House of Representatives.

He said the medical centre would bring specialised healthcare closer to the people, attract federal investment and medical professionals, create employment and strengthen Kumo’s position as a healthcare centre in Gombe State.

Kiru also highlighted Kumo’s sponsorship of more than 600 free dialysis sessions for kidney patients as another example of his intervention in healthcare.

Education and youth development, he added, had also received attention through projects including the N1.4 billion reconstruction of Government Day Secondary School, Akkoyel, as well as other educational interventions.

He said the Kumo Township Stadium initiative further demonstrated attention to sports, recreation and youth development, while other interventions had covered primary healthcare facilities, classrooms, community roads, water, agriculture and housing.

According to Kiru, Kumo’s representation has also focused on improving the economic circumstances of ordinary people.

He cited an intervention in which 750 micro and small-business owners received N200,000 each, amounting to N150 million, while 250 motorcycles valued at about N200 million were distributed principally to traditional institutions and other beneficiaries.

He added that women had benefited from interventions involving 10,000 wrappers and N50 million in tailoring support, while young people had received modern agricultural training and vocational skills in areas including tailoring and shoemaking.

Beyond physical projects, Kiru identified employment and human-capital development as perhaps the most enduring aspects of Kumo’s representation.

He said Kumo had facilitated recruitment and employment opportunities for hundreds of young people, including in the Nigeria Police Force and other federal establishments.

“A road can transform a community and a hospital can save generations of lives, but a sustainable job can transform the fortunes of an entire family,” Kiru said.

Kumo’s contributions have also attracted recognition from traditional institutions within his constituency, which have honoured him with the titles of Danmasanin Gwana, Basirar Pindiga and Sarkin Yamma Akko.

Kiru said the traditional titles reflected Kumo’s relationship with the grassroots and the recognition accorded to him by institutions regarded as custodians of the history, culture and values of their communities.

At 60, Kiru said Kumo had much to reflect upon, from his days as a student activist and SUG President to public service, electoral administration, local government leadership and the National Assembly.

He also noted his progression from Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs to third-term federal legislator and Chief Whip, describing the journey as one of resilience, consistency and determination.

However, Kiru said his tribute went beyond political offices, projects and titles, stressing that behind the Chief Whip and traditional titles was the brother and friend he had known for 31 years.

“We met at BUK before many of today’s titles and responsibilities. I have watched him contest, struggle, prevail, confront challenges and rise again,” he said.

Kiru added that Kumo had continued to maintain relationships with friends and comrades from his early days despite the changes that often accompany public life.

“Political offices are temporary. Positions will be occupied by others and titles may change with time. But genuine friendship, loyalty, brotherhood and the ability to remember those with whom one started the journey are qualities that endure beyond public office,” he said.

As he celebrates the milestone, Kiru prayed for Kumo to be blessed with sound health, wisdom, courage and longevity, while asking Almighty Allah to continue to guide him in the service of humanity.

He also prayed that Kumo would have the opportunity to accomplish greater things for the people of Akko Federal Constituency, Gombe State and Nigeria.

“World/Mega, I salute you. I salute the student activist of yesterday, the SUG President, the grassroots politician who rose through the ranks, the man who confronted difficult battles without surrendering, the two-term Chairman of Akko Local Government, the former Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, the third-term Member of the House of Representatives and Chief Whip, Danmasanin Gwana, Basirar Pindiga and Sarkin Yamma Akko.

“Above all, I salute my brother and friend of 31 years.

“Happy 60th Birthday, my dear brother. Happy Birthday, World/Mega!”

By Hon. Sanusi Majidadin Kiru