Mohammed Kaliel

Mohammed Bello Kaliel (died 10 March 2015) was a Nigerian Army Colonel and the first Governor of Bauchi State, Nigeria after it was created on 3 February 1976 when North-Eastern State was divided into Bauchi, Borno, and Gongola states, during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. He held office until July 1978.[1]

Colonel
Mohammed Bello Kaliel
Federal Minister of Water Resources
In office
1999 – 13 June 2001
Commander of the Brigade of Guards
In office
1981–1984
Preceded byBrig. Mamman Vatsa
Succeeded byLt-Col. Sabo Aliyu
Governor of Bauchi State
In office
March 1976 – July 1978
Succeeded byGarba Duba
Personal details
Died10 March 2015
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1967 - 1984
Rank Colonel

Army career

Mohammed Bello Kaliel joined the army in 1967. From 1972–1974, he was an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy.[2] In February 1976, Mohammed Kaliel was appointed governor of Bauchi State by the head of state, General Murtala Muhammed, shortly before he was killed in an abortive coup attempt. Taking office in March 1976, he brought a team of experienced civil servants from Maiduguri to establish the new state's administration. He found a state with no electricity and limited water supply from boreholes, and made improving this basic infrastructure his first priority.[3]

Kaliel was Commandant at the Nigerian Resettlement Center, Lagos from 1978–1980, Director of Logistics and Defence (1980–1981) and Commandant, Brigade of Guards, Lagos (1981–1984).[2] In December 1983, while Kaliel was on leave from the Brigade of Guards, a coup resulted in Major-General Muhammadu Buhari becoming head of state.[4]

Later career

Kaliel retired shortly after the coup in 1984. After the restoration of democracy in May 1999, he was appointed Federal minister of Water Resources between 1999 and 2001.[2] In January 2001, he met the Zamfara State Governor, Ahmed Sani Yerima, who told him that Gusau Dam could dry up soon, and asked the Federal Government to transfer water from the Bakolori Dam to the state capital, Gusau. Kaliel said the Federal Government was committed to providing quality water to all Nigerians, and would soon provide assistance to the states, with priority given to Gusau.[5] He was replaced in a cabinet shuffle on 13 June 2001.[6]

In May 2005, he was appointed to the board of All States Trust Bank Plc.[2]

On 10 March 2015, Bello Kaliel died in a hospital in Turkey.[7]

References
  1. "Nigerian States". WorldStatesmen. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  2. "Arah, Two Others Join All States Board". ThisDay. 2004-05-21. Archived from the original on 2009-08-17. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  3. "Past Executive Council: Lt. Col Mohammed Bello Kaliel 1976 – 1978". Bauchi State Government. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  4. Shehu Shagari (2004-03-21). "How Buhari & Co Toppled Second Republic". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 2005-11-30. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  5. Iyefu Adoba (2001-01-12). "Gusau Dam Drying Up, Says Zamfara Governor". ThisDay. Archived from the original on 2004-12-06. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  6. "Obasanjo soumet au Sénat les noms de nouveaux ministres" (in French). Panapress. 2001-06-14. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  7. "The Late Brigadier Kaliel, One of Nigeria's Finest Officers – Buhari". 13 March 2015.


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