GOVERNOR PATRICK YAKOWA: A RISING STAR!
Kaduna State is a home to every Nigerian irrespective of his religion; ethnic or political party. Its importance and location in the history of Nigeria has made people from every angle of the world to see her as a home for all to actualise their dreams in life.
The state was home to the only Premier of defunct northern Nigeria, late Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto, along with some eminent sons and daughters from the region who played important roles in nation building.
Kaduna is popularly referred to as a ‘mini Nigeria’ going by her enormous and muscular position in the life span of politics in the country. This is why whoever is appointed to stir the affairs of the state will become so proud because his name will be written in gold historically.
From those who presided over the affairs of the state from infancy to date, it is only Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa that rose through the ladder of administration in the proper way up to his present post. I mean he is the only governor who served in every administrative post of the civil service step by step. This built his vast experiences in all the sectors of administration of civil/public service.
Therefore, to call him an administrator you are not far from truth. Besides his leadership prowess and qualities, Yakowa is unlike others; he is very friendly; humane, simple in driving desired goals, open and generous to all humanity without considering where you come. He harps on people's experience or ideas, a peaceful orator who is always ready to listen to people born with talent to advise him on how to come out with strategies on nation building.
I came to know him during my days as Hotline News Magazine reporter when he was the SSG. I came across him during a retreat for Local Government financial officers at the State House, Kawo, where he delivered a keynote address. Yakowa appeared so simple mannered that none of us recognized him as the SSG until somebody on the high table introduced him to us. Before then, I only hear his name and the way he has the desire of taking people to greater heights.
Yakowa had worked virtually in all the ministries in the state. In fact, he is the only sitting governor who grew up the ladder of civil service properly up to his present appointment. Therefore, one is right to say that he is not new to the trend of leadership having worked virtually in every sector, which informed his vast experience in taking his country home to greater heights.
This informed his sound stewardship in the past one year when he assumed duty as governor after his former boss became Vice President. Having listening ears made him a force to reckon with in a short time. His foresight, courage and desire plus his simplicity made him to evolve projects that cannot only ginger peace among the people but make both Christians and Muslims to see themselves as their brother’s keepers. He became the first governor to introduce free meals programme during the Holy Month of Ramadan in all the 23 local government areas of the state. He also stopped deductions from local government funds that some governors used in enriching themselves.
It is during his short period that both Muslim and Christian faithfuls conducted their pilgrimages in proper ways. He awarded a contract for constructing another bridge that will link the metropolitan Kaduna with Barnawa and other parts of southern Kaduna city. He decried the old age of the present bridge that residents and motorists complained at various avenues to previous governors that failed to heed the calls due to reasons best known to them. It is only recently he awarded a road contract that will link Rigasa suburb with Hayin Dan Mani axis. The road when completed will not only smoothen transportation but boost revenue to the government. This project is in addition to various others awarded by his government in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
I also want him to look into other projects that will ginger revenue to the state such is Matari, Birnin-Gwari and Kajuru Dams their rehabilitation will not only boost revenue and food production, but it will also provide employment to the teeming youth of the state through irrigation farming.
It is a candid opinion that government alone cannot provide security until the people join hands by distancing themselves from taking laws into their hands as well as reporting anybody they found wanting in the society. Carnage and other political disturbances cannot bring any development to the state, because peace remain the only tool that can provide development anywhere in the world. Therefore, we must imbibe the culture of seeing ourselves as our brothers keepers, because the state belongs to all of us.
As he assumed duty as elected governor, our hope is that he will continue to bring development to his country home through projects that will boost economy, agriculture, commerce, health, education and women development so that in the next four years whoever leaves the state for years cannot recognize his home because of physical development that were put in place during his absence.
Bello Ahmadu Alkammawa writes from Sultan Bello Road, Kaduna. 07030399110.