Writing about the governor of Sokoto state Alhaji Aliyu Magataka Wammako is about the most difficult, and confusingly the easiest task to do. It is difficult because of the numerous angles one can explore about the man Aliyu, each enough to be an independent subject with rich intellectual and moral benefits. On the other hand, it is easy because there is nothing one can say about Aliyu Wammako that has not been said before with even better clarity.
No word can add value to the person of Gov. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko(Sarkin Yaman Sokoto). Equally, no word can reduce an ounce out of the tons of respect, belief and sincere goodwill he enjoys from majority Nigerians and especially Sokoto state indigenes built overtime through hard work, selflessness and impeccable quality of character.
Still, that would not stop me, like many of his well wishers to chip in a word about this epitome of honesty,a detribalized Nigerian and a lover of country especially at this time when he is celebrating his 60th birthday.
@60 is no doubt a wonderful age, the attainment of which is akin to achieving the pinnacle of wisdom. To Aliyu, 60 is just like any other age.
His wisdom and quality of character have since reached their peak long before he reached the age of 30. There is no evidence that Aliyu of today is any different from Aliyu of 70s. It has always been the same humility, the same selflessness and the same seriousness that keeps the flame of a burning desire to see a good country built out of Nigeria not just Sokoto state. Unlike the different “visions” some of which are so confusing to even be understood both in meaning and context, Aliyu’s vision for Sokoto state was clear and simple — a solid state built on a foundation of sincerity, purposefulness and equality.
It is only in a democratic setting that people have the right and freedom to criticise wrong doings or shortcomings of an elected government. But at the same time, if the government has delivered on its mandate, fairness requires that it be commended as well. In Sokoto state where various developmental projects have been executed and implemented across the state, it becomes necessary to comment positively about the Alhaji Aliyu Magataka Wammako -led administration.
The politics of Sokoto state has today taken a new dimension. Transparency and accountability have become the hallmark of the Aliyu’s administration. The governor made this yardstick a must because of some selfish politicians who had been working round the clock to undermine the leadership style of the governor, despite his efforts at revamping state’s economy.
Some politicians are hell bent in ensuring that Governor Aliyu is distracted from the business of governance. Unfortunately for such detractors, the people can read between the lines and are determined to work and support the state administration in its task of developing the state.
Before the current administration came on board, political hawks in Sokoto had a field day manipulating the machinery of government and tinkering with public funds. Then came Aliyu with the sermon of justice, equity, and fairness in a government where the rule of law determines the function and performance in all the ministries, departments and agencies.
The Aliyu’s administration has established various initiatives that would bring about rapid development in the state; it abolished the mentality of dirty politics; hence creating a level playing ground for true democracy to nurture.
As a grassroots politician, he was able to organise interactive sessions at the constituency level in each local government area with a view to broadening stakeholder participation in the formulation of policies that would enjoy general acceptability of the people.
He has embarked on the completion of all on-going projects and initiated new ones that are considered as critical to the lives of the people, and has declared a state of emergency in the education sector. He has also done well in diversifying productive base of the state economy through enhanced capacity utilization, increased agricultural productivity and accelerated development of non-oil sectors.
In the critical sectors of Works and Infrastructure, Sokoto can be described as a construction site now if you visit.Governor Aliyu has built township roads in urban and semi-urban areas and invested in regional roads linking commercial centres with rural communities so that agricultural products could easily move to the market.
In seeking to end the rot in the education sector, the governor has embarked on the rebuilding of all dilapidated primary and secondary schools in the state so as to create conducive environment for teaching and learning.He equally reintroduce scholarship for indigent students and many students are now abroad on scholarship because of the value he attached to education, this milestone has never been witnessed in the history of the state.
Aluu as popularly called in sokoto because of his simplicity and assesibility which is uncommon among governors in Nigeria.He has invested huge amount of resources to boost and improve the agricultural sector.
This has helped greatly in stimulating the agricultural potentials of the state by promoting commercial farming through the provision of farm equipment.
Governor Aliyu’s administration has remained committed to the development of the rural areas, in terms of access roads, potable water and electricity by procuring transformers for all local government. All these he has done to position the state to be one of the best three states in the federation by the year 2015.
As you attain this golden age on 1st march 2013,I pray Allah (swt) should shower more of His blessing and favours on you as we remind you that Sokoto people and Nigerians at large need your service beyond 2015.
Congratulation and Happy birthday your excellence.
Comrade Tosin Adeyanju
Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria
Info@consciencenigeria.org