Honourable Muktar Tolani Shagaya, member of House of Representatives, representing, Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency of Kwara state, is, no doubt, an epitome of an exemplary leader. He reminds one of the good leadership qualities of some notable African freedom fighters who laid down their lives to liberate Africa from colonialism.
These revolutionaries included Jomo Kenyatta, Kenneth Kaunda, Julius Nyerere, Patrice Lumumba, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Tony Enahoro, Kwame Nkrumah, etc. Although these African leaders had the opportunity to negotiate the perpetual enslavement of their people in exchange for riches and fame, but they instead chose to emancipate their people from the shackles of European colonisation. Thank God for the doggedness of African freedom fighters else, most of us would have remained in perpetual slavery.
However, the focus of this piece is not African freedom. This article is a spotlight on an upcoming Nigerian leader; a highly organised, humane, intelligent, detribalised, humble and God-fearing legislator cum community development enthusiast.
Hon. Shagaya, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education Services, ventured into politics to serve humanity, especially his Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency of Kwara state.
This is true because, Shagaya was born with a golden spoon to the illustrious family of the great and extremely wealthy Shagaya dynasty in Ilorin, Kwara state. He had numerous opportunities, yet he chose to work for the betterment of the society, especially the poor.
His humanitarian services endeared him to his people who in 2023 elected him to the green chamber of the National Assembly. Shagaya has so far recorded huge positive impacts through his bills and motions as well as transformative projects for his people and Nigerians generally.
The Kwara-born lawmaker focuses on human, community and infrastructure development. Tolani Shagaya’s policies are anchored on encouraging his people to grow via access to quality education to make them self-reliant and be able to cater for their families and the larger society.
His achievements include the massive construction and renovation of public schools within Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency. He is not only influencing the construction and renovation of the public school as deputy house committee chairman on Basic Education Services, but also ensuring that public schools in his constituency are fully equipped with modern facilities and provided with qualified teachers.
Shagaya’s human empowerment programme through Salman Shagaya Foundation is making waves across Nigeria and beyond. On September 18, 2024, N50,000 was disbursed to each of over 1,000 of his constituents. The beneficiaries also received entrepreneurial training on self-reliance and productivity with little amount of money.
Although the gesture was facilitated by Sheriff Shagaya, who doubles as chairman of Shagaya Foundation, but its sponsor was the humble, hardworking and trailblazing Muktar Tolani Shagaya. The legislator’s insistence for his constituents to have access to good healthcare is unparalled.
He is partnering with international donors where he previously worked to construct state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in each district in Ilorin West/Asa federal constituency. Students of tertiary institutions are also testifying to his kind gestures in the provision of national and international scholarships. His effort in ensuring the training of youths and women on skills acquisition is also paying off.
The construction of rural roads to ensure easy movement, especially by farmers to transport their goods to the markets, is also prioritised.
Among the many bills Shagaya has sponsored, co-sponsored and supported on the floor of the House are; HB 115: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) (Alteration); Amend Bill on Federal Medical Center, Afon Kwara State Act; Bill for the Establishment of State Police, which has already passed first reading.
No doubt, all his bills are significant to the growth, peace and development of Nigeria. However, the Bill that elated Nigerians across board is the Bill to Amend the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act Cap52, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and for the related matters (HB.594). Due to its importance, when the bill was read on the floor of the House on October 12, 2023, it received an overwhelming support and passed first reading without hitches. The bill aims to raise the allocation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) from 2% to 4%.
The proposed adjustment forms a crucial component of a comprehensive strategy aimed at revitalising the basic education sector. It will also foster sustainable development of all the public Universal Basic Education schedules from kindergarten to junior secondary level.
Another importance of the bill is for Nigeria’s attainment of the UNESCO budgetary benchmark of 15-20 per cent for the education sector. The bill, which was first presented on the floor of the House on November 28, 2023, nearly a year ago, was given accelerated first and second readings. This is quite commendable.
While lauding Shagaya for his foresightedness to single-handedly sponsor the bill in order to guarantee good learning environment for all Nigerian kids, however, the bill needs to be given an accelerated passage in view of its importance. It’s my hope that as members resume from their two-week recess, the bill will be given serious attention and final passage for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent into law.
Comrade Edache, a public affairs analyst, writes from Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi state.