The Nigerian Army asked some of us social media users that have been critical of them to apply for an opportunity to tour Maiduguri. As a student of history, the prospects of visiting the ancient Kanem Borno Empire, the home of the “Mai” notably that of Mai Idris Alooma, Al- Kanemi and the warriors of old was too thrilling not to apply for.

I was excited to have been invited for this tour, as a Plateau boy in Maiduguri, I felt I shared more than the scars of conflict in common with this State. Little known fact, Borno is called the “Home of Peace” and Plateau is called “The Home of Peace and Tourism”.

It is said that conflict and violence have smeared two of Nigeria’s historic towns.

As a result of the conflict in some parts of the country, the Military has found itself in the theatre of operations and like all threats to the integrity of the Nigerian State, it answered the summons of the state.

As we start our tour tomorrow, I look forward to experiencing things first hand from the view of the Nigerian Army officers. They’re after all our brothers.

P.S. we had a military escort and I felt safe.

Keep a date with us tomorrow for the tales of the travels of Ndam in Maiduguri.
I also reached out to some of my friends here. As our fathers will say, “those were good old days when a man has friends in distant lands”.

Written by B.P. Ndam