Former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko was instrumental to the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s general elections. The senator from Sokoto Central and Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, spoke with ADAMU SULEIMAN in Sokoto, the state capital, on the Buhari Administration, the anti-graft war and his style of leadership.
You are the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education. Are you satisfied with the 2016 budgetary allocation to the education sector?
Let me start by saying that the 2016 budget recently presented by the President is so articulate and transparent to. It comprehensively captured key aspects with fundamental focus on education, with priority to basic education, which is the foundation of a knowledge driven society. The budget has taken into account of the sector, in view of the commitment of Mr. President to ensuring adequate attention is given to basic and secondary education, particularly in the areas of teachers welfare and feeding of pupils.
The essence is to revive the nation’s foundation level in education, in both the structures and qualified manpower, to ensure the restoration of standards as well boost the morale of both teachers and pupils.
Fundamentally, our primary functions are legislation and over sight activities. We have commenced the coordination of the MDAs under basic and secondary education. There are 23 of them.
What we intend to do is to listen to them and other stakeholders e.g PTAs and know their concerns, obstacles, activities and possible areas of intervention.
We are also fine-tuning these aspects of the budget to tally with approvals. While doing this, we are taking into cognisance relevance of training and retraining of teachers.
Glad that I am not a stranger to these challenges as a career teacher. The committee will have to ensure responsive and impacting legislation, purposeful intervention as well rally government, the society and parents whose role are important in achieving the desired goals.
We require collective efforts to make public schools more attractive like their private counterparts.
In the education sector, gender disparity in the North is critical than other regions. Tackling it seems to be difficult. What is your take on that?
In fact, going by the records of the ratio of male to female children of school age, there is much to be desired to make up, particularly in North, in terms of ensuring gender equality is prioritised to provide equal opportunity for the girl child to acquire formal education. The enrolment of the girl-child is low. This phenomenon is influenced by three basic reasons: socio-cultural, economic and ignorance or lack of awareness on the part of most parents and to a large extent, our existing laws. We need to fine-tune our laws and other aspects to fast track improvement.
Although the North is committed to bridging the disparity because there is improvement both in the female enrolment, curricular and standard. But, what is most important here is that our committee will ensure synergy of the three tiers of government’s, (federal, state, local) to be committed as well sensitise and create awareness for parents, especially on the educations policies and programmes outlined to resuscitate the sector. This will be in addition to the establishment of more girls colleges particularly boarding schools.
Like in the Northeast where many school age children, both males and females, are out of school sequel to terrorists attacks. The Federal Government with active participation of the committee is working out modalities to rehabilitate them and get their children back to school.
It may also interest you to know that I was on a visit to Sudan where I was amazed to come across a number of female students from Sokoto, who are schooling there and if Sokoto can be placed on that pedestal of awareness to allow the girl-child seek knowedge outside, other states should be able to do that.
The funding for research and development in our institutions of higher learning has been an issue of concern. What is your committee’s plan on that?
The world is knowledge and research driven. These cannot be effectively and efficiently carried out and sustained without adequate funding. That is why the budget has preference for education sector. I am of the opinion beleive that government is committed to the issue of research and development in our higher institutions of learning.
As a member of Senate Committee on Defence, can you tell Nigerians what the committee has in stock for them in terms of general security?
Actually, the issue of security is a critical aspect and the major challenge before us and the nation in particular. Firstly, as a committee, we will invite and sit with the service chiefs to get all the necessary information regarding the security situation particularly on where we are in the fight against insurgency and how we can get out of the shackles. The primary concern should be how Nigerians will sleep with their eyes close without threat to their lives and property. We need to use this piece of information and also study our existing laws and enactment governing their operations. This will guide us in fine tuning and appraising possible areas for better results.
Also, the government has to show practical and moral commitment, in terms of incentives to boost their moral. Our committee, through its oversight function, has to effectively and efficiently complement this effort with every honesty. We will ensure that the issue of security is approached with vigour, sincerity and trust because the issue of security cannot be compromised. We all have to play our role all sense of commitment.
What private member bills have you sponsored or you are working on?
Let me say here that bills are the pacesetters for development in nation building. Because they provide the basis for so many positive things to happen. It is not the number of bills a legislator sponsors, but the quality. It has to impact positively on the lives of citizens not just to sponsor bills. If you sponsor 100 bills and none has brought positive change to those you are representing, it means your presence in the legislature is not worthy. So, the less, precise and quality a bill is, the more impact it will make to people. Therefore, I don’t believe in too many bills. Some people only want to be heard at sittings. For example, the issue of rice importation. Why should the country be importing rice when we have the land and human capital that can be adequately supported to produce it, not only for local consumption, but in commercial quantity for possible export to earn us foreign exchange. This is one of the aspects that will impact on our people because we have farmers who deserve to some value added to their efforts.
Some people have said that the National Assembly in the previous administration did not do enough to fight corruption. How can the present NASS remove that perception from the minds of Nigerians?
To start with, Nigerians should learn to appreciate and respect individuals, standing and the image of the country. These two things are important in our drive to develop our country. The stigmatisation, attacks and condemnation syndrome not be encouraged. We have the duty to potray and defend our country in positive light, but not otherwise. There are good and serious people in this country with amiable track record and character.
Now, coming down to the issue of corruption in the NASS. I don’t and cannot see why we should be corrupt because I am confident of the Eighth Assembly team of legislators. Secondly, we don’t have the veto power and nobody is begging for contracts. Therefore, I see no reason we can be corrupt. Besides, we are there for Nigerians whose mandate we represent and we are active players in the current regime for change. So, we cannot be part of the struggle and act differently or in the opposite. We have a reputation to protect individually and collectively.
People have described you as an epitome of “market place” governance. Could you reflect on your leadership style as governor?
Let me say that, as a leader, you have to be humble and open. Take your self like any other human being on the street. Come down to their level and appreciate them all the time. I mean you have to be accessible and you will earn their confidence and trust as a politician. Don’t go back as an emperor after getting support during elections. Why I am still doing what I did when I served as governor is that I believe human beings deserve and require respect. There is a saying that respect begets respect. Also, respect is earned while reputation is built on trust. And when you have them, you are okay and good to be endaered to people.
Besides, I don’t put barrier to anyone visiting my house. My doors are open and when you do that, you earn people’s confidence. My career as a trained teacher has been instrumental to that also because I take people along. I don’t neglect people because no person made his or her self but God. To tell you, I sit and chat with lepers. They visit my house and pray for me. I don’t runaway from people.
I feel honoured the way the ‘Aliyu’ phenomenon became widespread in the state and that is why I keep making everyone supporting me happy.
I must be frank with you that the challenges I faced as a governor are not the same now. In fact, it was more difficult and unique as governor. My privacy and family were affected because all your life and time was for the people 24 hours. Always on alert. Even if your sleeps, you mind is awake. But now I can sleep and design my activities without stress. My responsibilities have reduced drastically.
Only God can save a governor because leadership in whatever capacity is not easy, but I find people rushing to lead. Although it is good to be a leader, except that today, discipline and respect are no longer fashionable in our democracy, unlike in the First Republic. In the 60s, there was what people believed as rulership, not leadership. Because discpline and respect were observed with fear.
How do you want to be remembered as a former governor of Sokoto State?
Well, I have served my state for eight solid years as governor and have been able to render my best. It’s rare opportunity and I thank the people of the state. First, I want to be remembered as one who ran a servant-people government, not a master-servant government.
Secondly, as a demystified servant. I mean one who was open, accessible and transparent. Although, things have changed now but we are making progress generally. We are thankful to God and you journalists because we are proud of you people.
