The first seven months of Governor Aminu Masari in the saddle bear evidence of transformation in Katsina state as a combination of his experience and mature disposition to drive the process of democratic dividends to his people’s satisfaction. HAMIDU SABO writes.
For a long period of time Concern Indigenes of Katsina State which represents the good people of the state used to express its displeasure over the sustained efforts by disgruntled members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to mislead the masses of the state as well as distract the attention of the current All Progressives’ Congress (APC) led-administration in the state, through series of negative propaganda against the good intention and purposeful leadership style of Governor Aminu Bello Masari (Rt. Hon.)
Indeed Governor Aminu Masari in the view of many concern citizens need to be commended for the unequalled transformation of the state within a space of seven months in the office as well as the importance he attaches to the overall security and wellbeing of Kastinawa. For the first time in many years the people are enjoying peace and stability which the immediate past administration failed to achieve in eight years.
Consequent upon his concept of peace for development, the governor spearheaded the formation of the joint taskforce which consists of the five states of the North West, namely Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto with the objective of combating the menace of cattle rustling and other nefarious activities perpetrated by other criminal gangs within the affected states. Aside from being in the forefront in meeting its financial obligation to the joint task force, Masari also initiated an internal joint security operation consisting of security operatives from security agencies in the state with a view to making the state uncomfortable for undesirable elements. No doubt the foregoing laudable initiatives by Governor Masari have yielded appreciable dividends for the Katsinawa’s.
Interestingly over eleven thousand animals including cows, sheep, camel, goats etc were recovered during the operations, and over nine thousand were returned to their rightful owners, through the state Standing Committee on Fulani-Farmers Cooperation. This innovation is a manifestation and exhibition of high level of sincerity and commitment of the state government under the leadership of Governor Masari, towards identifying with the plight of the masses, occasioned by the activities of cattle rustlers.
In their view the democratic credentials of Governor Masari must also be acknowledged. Unlike the immediate past PDP administration under Ibrahim Shehu Shema which was clearly disconnected with the electorate, the current APC led-administration in the state is directly linked with the masses irrespective of party differences.
A case in point was the show of humility by Governor Masari during a peaceful protest by some post primary school students over the plan introduction of mock examination in the State secondary schools as criteria for benefiting state government gesture for sponsorship of WAEC and NECO exams. Governor Masari directed that the aggrieved students should be allowed access into the Government House to freely air their grievances without any molestation. Accordingly, the aggrieved students were received and addressed by Dikko Radda, the Chief of Staff along with the State Commissioner for Education on behalf of Governor Masari, who we learned was attending to the Ukrainian Ambassador at that moment.
The aggrieved students expressed their satisfaction for the attention given to them and their grievances, adding that they will never contemplate such a protest under Shema, because the consequences are obvious.
Giving the fact that, the present Masari led-administration accorded the education sector the highest priority, is a further testimony of the APC government commitment and determination to address both the sort and long term developmental challenges of the State, as education remains a veritable tool for development in all modern societies.
Already, teachers and parents/guardians are highly elated with the last interactive session Masari had with all primary school head teachers in the State, aimed at obtaining first hand information on their problems, challenges and constraints. This is in addition to monitoring team constituted but the State Government to assess the status of all primary and secondary schools across the State.
As a responsive and responsible administration, Governor Masari has kept to his campaign promises as so far, pensioners and retirees have started receiving their payment alert from their individual commercial banks. Just imagine what could have been achieved with the 11 Billion Naira CBN Loan borrowed to settle the accumulated gratuities and pension arrears inherited from the immediate past PDP administration in the State. The foregoing was unprecedented in the history of Katsina State.
More so the governor’s keen interest in sport development was exemplified with his physical participation in the recent road walk exercise with all and sundry, from the old Government House to Karkanda Stadium. I wonder if SHEMA could venture to participate in roadwork without being booed by the people. Furthermore, the governor’s personal visit to prisons and hospital in the State must equally be applauded. For instance, some prisons inmates who were unable to pay various fines had their fines offset by the State governor personally.
Also, the donation of food items and drugs to the prisons was appreciated by both the inmates and prison officials; for the record, this singular show of concern by governor Masari has never happened before.
For record purpose the good people of Katsina are particularly happy as their votes for Masari counted, and remain evident in his emergence as the governor of the State. This often manifests in their massive turnout in jubilant mood to receive and hail the governor whenever he visits a place which is an indication of his acceptability and love for him by the people. The governor has already shown serious commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises that will enhance the living standard of the Katsinawa.
The concern citizens were also on the opinion that “to destroy is very easy but to build is always difficult”. Masari inherited a disjointed administration full of abandoned/uncompleted projects, outstanding pension arrears and a dislocated socio-economic infrastructure. It will take time to put things in their right place. “We would be patient and pray for him to succeed”.
The Katsina citizens appealed to amiable Governor Aminu Bello Masari to remain focus and continue with the good work for the benefit of good people of Katsina State and never allow to be distracted by the antics of quiet a few and insignificant PDP elements who choose to still remain under a deserted umbrella.
The recent victory of APC in the Katsina Federal Constituency and State Assembly bye-elections is a testimony of the belief in the leadership qualities of Governor Masari and also an expression of love exhibited by Katsinawa in their desire for change to a new political order; despite the presence of all PDP leaders in both Katsina Federal Constituency and Jibia Katsina State House of Assembly recent elections. Governor Masari has demonstrated beyond doubts that transformation is achievable within the shortest possible time if a leader is committed to the ideals of democracy and has a mindset to spread the dividends of democracy to the masses rather than short change them by taking actions that will not improve their well- being. Amazingly Governor Masari has created opportunities for the good people of Katsina in his first seven months in office whereas past administrations in 16 years could not take infrastructure development beyond the mundane level. With the development strides of the present administration in Katsina state the political history of the state is being changed. It is a new dawn that the people of the state are proud of.
