Wing Commander (retired) Lawal Ningi Haruna was military governor of Borno State, Nigeria from August 1998 to May 1999 during the transitional regime of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, handing over to the elected civilian governor Mala Kachalla in May 1999.[1]

Lawal Ningi Haruna
Administrator of Borno State, Nigeria
In office
August 1998 – May 1999
Preceded byVictor Ozodinobi
Succeeded byMala Kachalla
Personal details
Born (1957-10-01) 1 October 1957 (age 67)
NationalityNigerian
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Airforce
RankWing Commander

Group Captain Haruna was appointed administrator of Borno State in August 1998.

He had to deal with controversy over the question of teaching Christian Religious Knowledge in public schools, which was opposed by Muslim leaders in the predominantly Muslim state.[2]

On 3 November 1998, he announced that separate Muslim and Christian instruction would start in schools with sufficient numbers of Christian pupils, as provided by the constitution. On 11 December riots followed a call from an Imam to attack Christians, with considerable loss of property but no deaths.[3]

In June 1999, Haruna was required to retire, as were all other former military administrators.[4]

In December 2000, Haruna alleged that Lt-General Jeremiah Useni had planned the killing of Head of State General Sani Abacha, who had died of obscure causes on 8 June 1998.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Nigeria States". World Statesmen. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  2. ^ Minchakpu, Obed (18 December 1998). "Nigeria's Borno State Stops Christian Education". Compass Direct. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Freedom of Religion" (PDF). Forum 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Obasanjo Hires & Fires". NDM Democracy Watch 1999/03. 1 July 1999. Archived from the original on 5 December 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  5. ^ Madugba, Agaju (13 December 2000). "Useni Killed Abacha - Ex-Administrator, It's Not True, Says Useni's Aide". This Day. Retrieved 13 May 2010 – via allAfrica.