As put together
By ESV Salihu Abdullahi Osuko
Senator Umar Tanko Almakura is unassuming, urbane and highly productive. His mien anywhere he goes is writ-large as it bears his trademark sartorial elegance. Yet, he is characteristically unobtrusive. His gait and speech mannerism combine to paint a composite picture of a rare politician, who aggregates the benefits of the social contract between the government and the governed. He has consistently proved that public service, whether through the civil service or politics, is a trust, anchored in the public perception of leadership accountability as circumscribed in governance.
Welcome to the world and apt deconstruction of the existential values of Sen. Almakura former two-term Governor of Nassarawa State, and a Senator. In his close political circles, he is understandably referred to as the “just” a judge, indeed, no pun intended, of good conscience. His sagacity and capacity to deploy the same in utilitarian benefits of supporters and associates in political engagements, apparently drawing from his background as labour relations intellectual, are simply phenomenal.
As a sociologist, this largely explicates the ease with which Senator Almakura understands tendencies, behavioral patterns, peculiarities of the disparate personas that congregate around and relate with him in the constantly changing shapes, contexts and contents of real politics and politicking. The intricate knowledge derived from the link between academic exertions and work place experience had prepared him for public service and politics.
In a recent piece, I penned, entitled: “Why APC should settle for Almakura as national chair,” I had called for a re-enactment of the defunct Third Republic scenario where Edo State and the Esan ethnic nationality produced the national chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the late Chief Anthony Anenih and the National Republican Convention (NRC), Chief Tom Ikimi, respectively, a development that pigeonholed the determination of political contestation of national magnitude in a local context. My proposal was informed by the fact of Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s emergence already as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The possible emergence of Almakura as APC’s National Chairman will create a feeling of déjà vu – a rebirth of a path once treaded. The determination of the outcome of the battle for 2023 general elections can crystallise from that North Central enclave.
Let me quickly underscore a critical point that was not contained in the piece referenced supra.
It is expected that soon the critical stakeholders in the party under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari would have micro-zoned the position to a consensus candidate. It is clear that the party needs a national chairman that will build on the legacies of reconciliation, stability and political accommodation of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee. The party needs a just man with good conscience, a man with audacity of purpose, inimitable equanimity, profound solemnity, huge respect and team spirit to oversee the activities of the party in an era of transition from one administration to another. Although no man is perfect, I make bold to posit that Almakura approximates these virtues.
In recognition of his service to his community, state and the nation, Almakura has so far been given a good number of awards. “Distinguished Humanist Award”; “Best Performing Governor of APC Governors from the North Central Zone”. Others are “Patron of the Institute of Public Relations”; “Fellow of the Sociological Association of Nigeria”, and “Ambassador of Peace”, among others.
Senator Almakura's uncommon achievements in the areas of Infrastructural and Human Capital Development, Industrialization and Social Transformation, Security of life and property, Healthcare delivery, Education, Agriculture and Food Security, Transportation stand him out as an articulate, vibrant and quintessential technocrat with the needed qualities and impeccable credentials to superintendent the affairs of Nasarawa State and Nassarawa South Senatorial District. Every leader must face challenges and learn to deal with them in some way.
It may seem like “challenges” is another word for “problems,” but that is not necessarily true. Sometimes positive situations present the greatest challenges, testing how well you can use your opportunities. A challenge is an invitation to rise to another level, to test yourself and improve in the process, to show that you can accomplish something that may seem difficult, or even impossible. It is important to appreciate that there are very few born leaders, almost all leaders are made by recognizing, learning from, and rising to the challenges of leadership.
The challenges of leadership are really of three kinds: external, coming from people and situations; internal, stemming from within the leader himself; and those arising from the nature of the leadership role.
Whereas in the human society, the burden of leadership naturally falls upon a charismatic, selfless and service driven individual whose power is rooted in the transparent determination to use individual strength and wisdom, unity of purpose and the entrenchment of group order for the benefit of human race.
The human being has impacted negatively or positively on this social balance by the manner in which he applied his innate endowments to his environment. A wicket and roguish disposition produces despots and tyrants.
A sensible, compassionate and judicious inclination yields the charismatic type of leader and cultivates a loyal and loving following. An inept, lack-luster and passive leader erodes confidence and elicits ridicule and opprobrium.
The gregarious nature of man underscores the constant interplay of human forces and interests in the unending search to fill the leadership roles. Leadership is therefore not anything anyone is born with or anything thrust upon anyone.
Authentic leadership in the human society is not anything to be obtained through conquest or by the use of available instruments of coercion. Authentic leadership is something to merit and earn, something that carries with it certain basic qualities accruing from latent and discernible abilities.
A good leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way” — John C Maxwell.
By this time last year, it seemed like everything that could possibly be written or said to celebrate Sen. Almakura, had already been captured and widely reported in all the media platforms; Print, Electronic and Social media.
But as it is typical of the dynamic nature of the great, Extraordinary man himself, the last 365 days have unearthed a whole new vista of phenomenal and exemplary manifestations of courageous, focused, determined and pragmatic and humane leadership trajectory.
This has not only injected hope and purpose in our collective existence as a people, but has most importantly, defined Sen. Almakura as “A leader who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
Bill Taylor, from his seminal article: “Do You Pass the Leadership Test?” said this about leadership by example: “The true mark of a leader is the willingness to stick with a bold course of action — an unconventional business strategy, a unique product-development roadmap, a controversial marketing campaign — even as the rest of the world wonders why you’re not marching in step with the status quo. In other words, real leaders are happy to zig while others zag. They understand that in an era of hyper-competition and non-stop disruption, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something special.”
Anyone living in Nassarawa State and Nigeria today would be forgiven, if he/she authoritatively declares that Bill Taylor, the brilliant best-selling author, celebrated entrepreneur, and groundbreaking thinker, must have been inspired to coin this definition of leadership, after witnessing first hand, the charismatic presence and positively impactful actions of Sen. Almakura.
The fearless, courageous, pragmatic, articulate and very outspoken advocacy in the legitimate quest for constitutional clarity over contentious issues, which Sen. Almakura has displayed with competent authority, makes his leadership model iconic.
There is no doubt whatsoever that in the years of his administration as Governor of Nassarawa State, Nigerians have come to embrace and admire Sen. Almakura's tactical audacity, strategic acumen and the sure-footed administrative astuteness which sets him apart as a visionary leader.
Loved by his people and buoyed by the collective desire to prevail against forces which threatened to strip NASARAWA people of their historic essence and heritage, Umar Tanko Almakura's identity and crusade metamorphosed into an unstoppable movement and in the monumental style of leadership.
The story of the last years of Sen. Almakura's administration in Nassarawa State as a governor and as a Senator which commenced with his single minded determination and firm leadership agenda to re-organize, re-strategize and re-order the socio-political and infrastructural priorities of the state, has undoubtedly transformed the entire landscape of Nassarawa state and its capital city, Lafia.
The beautiful years of his tenure, the robust and breathtaking urban renewal agenda in the capital city and indeed the determined drive to achieve interconnectivity across the length and breadth of the State, as well as expand the landmass of hitherto waterlogged riverine communities to provide much needed space, through massive sandfilling and land reclamation, have progressed and accelerated with amazing results.
The transformational trajectory has seen the State being re-positioned to become a beautiful, stable, safe, secure, dynamic and bustling modern hub for commerce and sustainable entreprise, as well as the destination of choice for progressive activities.
This has welcomed everybody, enhanced and fostered harmonious coexistence of all and has been hailed even by leaders of the opposition.
Senator Umar Tanko Almakura has already confirmed that his administration will not only deliver at least one legacy project in every local government area of the state, he will also not leave any abandoned project or debts behind for his predecessor when his tenure comes to and end in 2023. He is a promise keeper and a man of his words.
Intrestingly, Sen. Almakura's massive influence in the political terrain is no less formidable, both at home and at the national arena. He has redefined electoral attitudes and governance responsibilities in his own home APC and ensured that the state remains one of the most peaceful political theatres in the country.
This has resulted in the massive defection of notable and respected opposition figures into APC, even in spite of the combustible nature of the fragmented PDP and indeed, in the face of an unending yet futile diversionary opposition agenda, to distract him from delivering good governance to NASARAWA people.
Through him, Nigerians are putting their hopes on the APC to salvage whatever is left of the country, after the unfortunate and hapless PDP misrule comes to an end, and turn the fortunes of the country around for the better.
As we celebrate his great style of leadership today, there is no doubt whatsoever, both in the minds of Nassarawa people and majority of Nigerians that, at last, we have been blessed with a leader who knows the way and is not afraid to show us the way and lead us all the way to redemption, in the true mould and spirit of the kind of leadership which this season and our people desire and deserve.
No doubt as a country, Nigeria is being overwhelmed by circumstances. Such things include, but are not limited to human adversity, collapsing or collapsed institutions, natural disasters, a dissolute or disoriented political elite and a disillusioned and disenfranchised populace tottering at the edge of despair and despondency.
The rise of incivility pervades the Nigerian terrain; a nasty edginess is the order of the day. Tempers flare without notice and almost in every public place, arguments quickly degenerates to insults and bitter recriminations. Foul images are carried about like equal opportunity grenade as religious, political, commercial and even academic transactions are marked by rancor and incredible rudeness.
Things have so degenerated to the extent that the “big men” who should be belly-aching over how to solve the problems of Nigeria are getting themselves enmeshed in a game of much levity while riff-raffs, ruffians and ragamuffins are driving sane people to Golgotha with bombs.
The fact is, no country is without its problems.
We cannot but agree that Nigeria is in dire need of:
Ideology of social reconstruction,
Political and economic empowerment,
Steady power supply,
Creation of employment opportunities,
Adequate food supply,
Better health facilities in both rural and urban areas,
Zero-tolerance against corrupt officials and so many other basic amenities that the citizens of the country needs.
When the right people are in power to strive for positive change, with one foot in front of the other, Nigeria would be rid- off of its problems in various sectors of the country with time. With the right people such as *Sen. Almakura*, even though would not change Nigeria overnight, would be a spark to the brain that would bring about all that Nigeria require to grow. *Senator Umar Tanko Almakura* is the Senator representing the good people of Nassarawa South Senatorial District of Nassarawa State. He is among the faithful and committed leaders carrying the burning torch and leading the citizens to a brighter future as our founding fathers did.
The people of Nassarawa State are so much fortunate to have a trustworthy son and leader as him. He is an exemplary leader with utmost integrity. This was well proven even when he served as a Governor.
His integrity withstood the test of time, and he did not waver from his obligation to his people who have shown that he tremendously has the best interest of his people at heart.
He has shown that we should always refuse to rationalize the upside-down way of looking at Nigeria. Our poverty and underdevelopment should never serve as a reason for us to abandon our dignity as human beings, turning ourselves into subservient recipients.
It is on record that men and women who have demonstrated exceptional skills for positive change in philosophy, medicine, science, engineering, music, and other disciplines are honoured as idols or role models in that particular field.
Such persons became a reference point and celebrated when discussing that particular subject within and outside the community. As a role model, *Sen. Almakura* serves as a standard of excellence and is worthy of emulation. He is devoted to the interest of the State, defending and advancing the interest of its citizens.
He upheld that a State in which there is no danger of hostilities needs to be established, and this would have to involve more than merely the absence of unfriendliness. With that implied, *Sen. Almakura* when he wss a Governor placed real security against an outbreak of war, terrorism, among other threats that would have deteriorating effects on the citizens of Nassarawa State.
He cares so much for his people that he went, and is still going to greater heights to provide for them. Life became bearable for the people of Nassarawa State when basic amenities like portable drinking water, better health care systems, youth empowering programmes, the creation of better access roads and the on-going mega developments.
*Senator Umar Tanko Almakura* is a man not driven by greed and lust for power as is common in modern day Nigeria. He is truly an embodiment of peace and integrity.
ESV Salihu Abdullahi Osuko
(Garkuwan Giza)
Media Aide To Distinguish People's Senator Umar Tanko Almakura.
