Alhaji Mohammed Goni was a prominent Nigerian politician who served as the first democratically elected governor of Borno State during Nigeria's Second Republic, from October 1979 to September 1983. He is highly respected for his honesty, hard work, and the major infrastructural projects he delivered in his state. He passed away on April 29, 2020, at the age of 78.
He was born in 1942 in Kareto, Mobbar Local Government Area, Borno State.
He attended Maiduguri Secondary School and Borno Provincial Secondary School, and later graduated from Provincial Secondary School, Kano.
He obtained his first degree in Administration and specialized in International Relations from the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
He joined the government of the former Northern Region in 1967, where he worked in various administrative capacities across Kaduna, Bauchi, and Maiduguri. He was transferred to the National Supply Company of Nigeria in 1977.
Governor of Borno State
In April 1979, Mohammed Goni resigned from the National Supply Company and entered politics.
He was elected as the first civilian governor of the former Borno State under the Great Nigeria People's Party (GNPP) and assumed office from October 1979 to September 1983. He was also a member of the Progressives Coalition led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Goni established Borno Radio Television (BRTV) to counter the propaganda being disseminated by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), which was owned and sponsored by the Federal Government. He built the Eye and Dental Hospital in Borno, along with numerous other hospitals.
He oversaw the establishment of the Maiduguri Flour Mill and the Maiduguri Monday Market. He also constructed major highways and state properties, including in Lagos.
Later, Mohammed Goni became a member of the 1995 Constitutional Conference Committee. In the April 2003 general elections, he ran for Vice President on the United Nigeria People's Party (UNPP) ticket with Jim Nwobodo, but they were not elected.
In January 2011, delegates of the PDP in Borno State chose him as the party's gubernatorial candidate for the April 2011 elections.
Death
Mohammed Goni passed away on April 29, 2020, in Maiduguri, Borno State, after a brief illness. He was 78 years old at the time of his death.
Nickname
His people called him "BABA OYOYO" because of the legacy of projects he delivered during his tenure. He was also well known for clearing his name of corruption allegations made against him by the military government after the 1983 coup.
May Allah have mercy on him. Amen 🙏