Since the nation’s return to democratic rule in 1999, senators of different characters and calibers had come and gone, each with different records of achievements and shortcomings.
It is a fact that at no time in the history of Bauchi state, Bauchi South to be specific, has an elected parliamentarian impacted more positively on the lives of not only the people of his constituency, but also the entire people of the state as the incumbent occupant of the seat in the red chamber, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Buba Umar.
The senator, though a first timer and one of the youngest senators from the North as well as the chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has in so short a time been able to achieve both remarkably and exceptionally well in virtually all spheres of human life. His achievements include skills acquisition and empowerment for youth and women, provision of infrastructure, poverty reduction, provision of social amenities, securing of employment opportunities to the teeming unemployed youth as well as provision of palliatives to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal in addition to attending to the unending and increasing needs of his people on daily basis.
Senator Buba Umar is known by all as very religious, easy going and God-fearing man. His contributions to the two major religions of Islam and Christianity as well as their adherents is unequal to that of any other serving senator from the state. Hence, the title “Mujaddadi”, meaning the enforcer of religious teachings and practices.
He has been the major financier of religious and cultural events within Bauchi state. The recent Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi annual Maulud held in Bauchi are few out many beneficiaries of his donations.
He has invested millions of naira through various programmes like educational support, building, upgrading and furnishing of mosques across the senatorial zone. One of the unique attributes of the senator is his non-discriminatory policies. A number of citizens across the religions and tribes have benefited and are still benefiting from his goodwill.
In the last nine months of his occupation of the seat in the red chamber, his financial and moral contributions to both Islam and Christianity not only in his constituency but also Bauchi state and the country at large are second to none.
Recently, he donated N13 million for rural electrification project in parts of Lame in Toro local government area of Bauchi state. One area that Senator Shehu Buba Umar is giving due attention is the patients battling with different health challenges. He has been paying hospital bills for the less privileged within the seven local government areas he represents.
Health and education sectors have always been areas of the senator’s priority believing in the saying that “Health is wealth” and education being the bedrock for development of any society.
He has used every opportunity at his disposal to add value to his immediate community, Bauchi state and the country at large. He has empowered countless number of youths, women groups through provision of scholarships, renovation and construction of boreholes, offsetting of hospital bills, distribution of food items during festive seasons, among many other of his philanthropic gestures.
The Mujaddadi’s ability to achieve so much, in less than a year of his assumption of office, is very rare, unique and unprecedented in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.
To further buttress the quantum of achievements recorded by this amiable parliamentarian of societal repute, the lawmaker recently secured the release of over 100 inmates serving various jail terms in different correctional centres across the state after settling court fines and compensations which hitherto necessitated their continued incarceration thereby gaining their freedom.
The senator also graciously gifted the whooping N50,000 to each of the freed inmates to enable them start up small businesses for them to become useful to themselves, their immediate communities in particular and the larger society in general.
It is interesting to note that all the beneficiaries of the senator’s magnanimity were not known to him. Rather, they were nominated by the group that initiated and facilitated the process.
It is worth mentioning that Shehu Buba Umar had a fortnight ago secured employments for a significant number of youths from his constituency to occupy various vacancies in federal ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs. Which of the spheres of human life the Mujaddadi has not touched? What more more do the people of particular senatorial zone need from their senator? All the achievements mentioned in this piece are only a tip of the iceberg as many more will be brought to the fore in our subsequent publications.
Moreover, as people of Bauchi South Senatorial District, it is pertinent to state that though we never had any doubt as to the capabilities and competence of this immensely resourceful law maker, we must confess that he seems to have surpassed even the most optimistic of our estimations.
The recent campaign of calumny and character assassination embarked upon by some misguided and disgruntled elements were aimed at smearing the image and denting the good reputation of the people’s senator, the development which will be vehemently resisted in totality .
As a human being, like any other, the senator may have his shortcomings. But the fact remains that his good deeds and actions surpass his evil deeds by far. God knows the best.
In conclusion, what the senator rightfully deserves at this material point in time is our support, good will and, above all, fervent prayers to enable him successfully deliver on his mandate. Anything short of this will be seen as an act of antagonism which will not in any way be condoned.
Muhammad Babale, member of Bauchi South Advocates for Good Governance, writes from Bauchi, Bauchi state via 08165684464