There is a new dawn in Nigeria’s democracy. Changes in the perception of of our politicians in the eyes of the masses and the downtrodden are taking place in one state among the 36 states of the federation. This is happening, to be specific, in Sokoto state. The Seat of Caliphate is lucky enough to have Ahmed Aliyu elected as their governor.
Or may I say Sokoto people have found the right man to steer their destiny to the desired destination that will favour all, men and women, children and students, able and the disabled, market women and artisans. All working together to build their dream state in the ambience of contentment unparallel patriotism.
There are lots of lessons to learn from the Sokoto governor’s leadership experience. Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s phenomenon needs to be celebrated so that youths and other leaders can emulate for a better Nigeria.
Most Nigerian public officeholders see public trust as personal estate where they pilfer its resources unhindered an unconscionably, so Governor Aliyu is treading on uncharted path. Aliyu, a highly religious and God-fearing personality, sees leadership as service to the people in the best way possible. People who toiled in the rain and under the sun to send him to the government house deserve to reap the dividends of their investment.
Worthy of note is the undivided attention Governor Aliyu has shown to the special people in the society, the most vulnerable individuals in the society who cannot fend for themselves and often find themselves in the backwaters of Northern Nigerian cities. This class has found succour in the new, young and energetic Sokoto state governor, who prioritises their welfare and upkeep.
As one of the few governors making waves in Nigeria’s 36 states, Governor Aliyu surely has a cause to celebrate. His performance and achievements in the first 100 days of stewardship in Sokoto Government House has already become a template for good governance in Nigeria. But who is this man who is causing ripples in our polity?
Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu is an accomplished accountant and public administrator. He had served meritoriously as the commissioner for social welfare and culture as well as health. He had been deputy governor between 2015 and
2018, and had served as the Secretary, Police Service Commission before resigning to contest the 2023 Sokoto governorship election.
The short description of the people’s governor tells a lot about his experience with governance in Nigeria. As the executive governor, he is treading on a familiar turf, therefore, his path is rather easier than that of a rooky.
After the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, succour came the way of People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in Sokoto state.
He hit the ground running in fulfilment of his campaign promises, therefore, he commenced the payment of N6,500 monthly stipends which had been suspended by the previous administration.
Governor Aliyu, in his inauguration speech, promised to reintroduce the payment of monthly stipends to People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs). The shrewd accountant, to ensure probity, ordered the payment to take place simultaneously in different centres.
The three centres are located in Sokoto North, Dange Shuni and Gwadabawa local government areas. Every month-end, the centres witness a large turnout of the PLWDs, who receive N6,500 each as their monthly stipends. This monthly stipend will go a long way in reducing street begging which has become a nuisance in major cities in the North.
It is only a God-fearing public officeholder who, among a legion of responsibilities and pressure groups, goes for the most vulnerable and the downtrodden of the society who can hardly hold him to account.
The singular resumption of the payment of PLWDs’ stipends has shown that Governor Aliyu is Godsend. It shows he holds a lot of promise for the good people of Sokoto state in particular and Nigeria in general. For this, it’s our collective duty to reciprocate his goodwill by giving to him unflinching support so that our aspirations, both public and individual, could be attained under this benevolent and budding statesman.
Musa Abdullahi,
Sokoto, Sokoto state
