By Mustapha Nasir
Since the return of democracy in 1999, Kaduna state has been like no other state. It has seen the worst sectarian crises that destroyed many lives and property worth quiet a fortune. But it came out stronger and better but not without scars.
Kaduna state is having the fourth governor in the person of Dr Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Dalatun Zazzau), coming after late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Alhaji Muhammed Namadi Sambo and Alhaji Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi who was the first governor and the longest serving among the four.
Makarfi spent eight years, Namadi three years, Yakowa spent four years and Yero about two years; making his tenure the shortest. This is when some states have had just two governors within eight years each, which in some results in uninterrupted programmes and projects.
Yero came to office at a time government income is at all time low and high insecurity due to insurgency. Barely months in office, that threat was tackled and Kaduna regained it peaceful fervour with the restoration of night life, in-flow of people to the city leading to traffic gridlock, springing up of settlements in the suburbs, among others.
But this is not about beating Yero’s drum as the sights and sounds are visible and loud for discerning eyes and ears to see and hear. Here is to talk about what Yero would never do to undermine the unity, security and peace of Kaduna state and by extension Nigeria. This is because Kaduna occupies a special place and when it witnesses any upheaval, it engulfs the whole nation.
Conscious of this, Yero has never and would never, as a governor of the state do the following: Yero would never despise elders by insulting and talking down at them. He respects and would always take their wise counsel and benefit from their elderly wisdom in the interest of the state’s security, peace and unity.
Yero would never insult and turn his back on traditional leaders. They are the custodians of our rich heritage, the parents of the society and the closest to the grassroots. Yero would always consult them, listen to their positive advice and utilise it to promote security, peace and unity of Kaduna state.
Yero would never insult anyone’s faith. His religious knowledge, upbringing, growth and work among and within people of other faith have thought him to respect others’ faith and belief. Yero has never denigrated any Christian or Christianity all his life and would never. Yero has never denigrated any other ethnic group in and out of Kaduna state and never would. Yero has always believed in respecting Christians and Christianity while carrying them along in the day to day governing of the state for the security, peace and unity of Kaduna state.
Even among Muslims, Yero has never and would never, just as he is not known to favour Izala sect above Tariqa, Tariqa above Shi’ite, among others. Yero sees all Muslims, Christians as his to cater for and ensure the safety of their lives and property across the whole state. This has fostered unity and peace across board. He will never set religious leaders against one another.
Yero will never worsen the life of the poor masses by embarking on elitist programmes that will make life horrendous for the common man, drive him out of the city centre, the urban area to the periphery. He would rather build on the foundations he has laid so far to better their lives and means of livelihood.
Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero would never destroy the property of the common man in the name of remodeling Kaduna state. No, he would rather remodel the life of the ordinary man by providing him the necessities of life in his areas where he has struggled and used his life saving to make abode for himself and his family. Yero is a friend of everybody and not just the rich and powerful.
Yero would never outsource jobs that people of Kaduna state would do in the name of favouring some organisations outside the country that dictate policies that would not favour the ordinary man; Nigerians can do anything given the right atmosphere and motivation and Kaduna state is a portal of best brains among Nigerians.
Yero would never favour people with foreign certificates up and above those who toiled and earned their qualifications here in Nigeria. Yero believe in our system and would do everything within his strength to identify, utilise and retain the best among you here at home to sustain the security, peace, unity and development of Kaduna state.
It is a global fact that no development can take place where there is no security, peace and unity. In fact, development and growth would mean nothing to anyone, where security, peace and unity are elusive. Yero believes and has been working to ensure that Kaduna state rests on solid foundation of good and vigilant security, sound and tangible peace, and unity of purpose that makes for a conducive atmosphere so that everybody in Kaduna can conduct their business without let or hindrance. Go to bed and sleep with their two eyes closed.
The duty to ensure these dos and don’ts of Yero are sustained in the interest of the whole state and even beyond to stand us out among others, lies with us the electorate as we go to the polls for elections on April 11.We can use our fingers, especially the thumb to sustain the security, peace and unity Kaduna state presently enjoys.
We can make or mar that with our single action that day. But we trust that no one will mortgage his peace of mind, the security of his life and property and the unity of purpose that makes life meaningful in Kaduna today just for a promise that may never be. Let us not disrupt the good work that has commenced in Kaduna. Yero believes in you.
Nasir wrote from Kaduna
