Alhaji Aminu Alkali is the current deputy governor to Dr Agbu Kefas, the Executive Governor of Taraba state, in this piece, ANDREW OJIH examined how Alkali approached governance with human face and a beacon of loyalty and commitment in governance in the Taraba politics.
With quality character, absolute loyalty to a common cause to political growth, Taraba deputy governor, Alh Aminu Alkali has proven that a governor and his deputy can work together without rancour for the growth of their state.
The Deputy Governor, Alh. Aminu Abdullahi Alkali who was born on July 3, 1961 in Zing Local Government Area, Taraba state began his early education at St Thomas primary school Zing LGA of the state where he obtained his first school leaving certificate in 1974.
Upon the completion of first school leaving certificate, he proceeded to Government Secondary School Jalingo, where he obtained General Certificate of Education (GCE) 1979. In 1982 Alh. Aminu Alkali bagged Ordinary National Diploma (OND) from the ancient College of Agriculture Jalingo, Taraba State.
As a lover of Education, he proceeded to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, A.B.U College of Agriculture, samara zaria, zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna state, where he obtained Higher National Diploma (HND) in Farm Management 1986.
After his higher national diploma, he was enrolled for the mandatory one year National Youth service Corps (NYSC).
After his NYSC, he further gained admission into the institute of Administration A.B.U kongo-zaria, Kaduna State, where he acquired Advance Diploma in Public Admin in the year 1993.
In his bid for bigger dream, he proceeded to Adamawa State Polytechnic and obtain Post Graduate Diploma in Public Admin in 2009.
Alh. Aminu Alkali, joined the civil service in 1979 in zing Local Government Area of the then Gongola state now Part of Taraba state after the 1991 creation of the state by Gen. Badamasi Babangida’s administration, where he rose to become the director Agriculture and Natural resources.
He has worked in literally all the 16 Local Governments of the state, and has contributed in promoting rural development through establishment of Young Farmers Clubs and Local Government Farms. He attended various workshops and seminars to enhance effectiveness in administrative leadership, policy making, human resources management, Agricultural innovations, development among others respectively.
Alh. Aminu Alkali’s civil service career ended with a glorious exit as Director Agriculture Yorro Local Government Area same years ago.
After his retirement from civil service job, he joined politics with National Republican Convention (NRC) formed by Gen Babangida, as the party’s Assistant. Administrative Secretary in Zing Local Government Area.
He served as the secretary to the Local Government of Zing in the short Democratic dispensation of the 1991-1992.
His political experience, qualities, informed the decision of Chief David Sabo Kente (DSK) the Gubernatorial candidate under the platform of the Social Democratic Party in the 2015 elections to hand pick him as his running mate to complete the Ticket of the party.
The synergy, support, commitments, transparency and grassroots mobilisation role he played in the 2015 electioneering year for the SDP and the Gubernatorial ticket by Alh. Aminu Alkali led to the move by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to seek his service to serve as Senior Special Assistant grassroots mobilisation to the former Governor Darius Ishaku.
No doubt, his journey into the political circle has proven his worth and committed to human, social and economic development in Taraba politics.
Key political watchers who monitors political activities with ken interest described him as a unifier, a team player, a resourceful and embodiment of knowledge and an expertise in administration and agricultural innovations.
They argued that Alh Aminu Alkali will remain as one of the deputy governor who before the end of the administration would contribute immensely to the growth and development of the state with high degree of honesty, dedication and professionalism.
Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration arrived amid high expectations and a promise for rapid progress in Taraba. Large-scale turnarounds are challenging to implement, especially in a setting like Taraba with weak institution, limited resources, and diverse citizens priorities.
In our May 2023 opinion piece, we emphasised three vital priorities for the then Governor-elect to turnaround Taraba: a clear shared vision, carefully curated focus areas, and a capable team pulling in the same direction.
They noted that he remains committed to the government of Governor Kefas that has made notable strides in terms of inclusivity and broader citizen participation, assembling arguably one of the most youthful cabinets in the history of the state, if not the country.
