Going by the way most state governments stormed national newspapers with colourful adverts proclaiming their achievements in just 365 days in office; it is quite difficult to understand why economists and financial analysts insist that the Nigerian economy is dancing on the cliff of recession. If that were the case, what magical wand did the state governors spin such that they could fork out the millions of Naira that went into the media blitz in which truckloads of ‘achievements’ were highlighted? Anyone who knows one or two things about media practice would tell you that such packages do not come cheaply. With states presumably operating on a shoestring budgets and 28 out of the 36 of them owing workers’ salaries from last year, it was some sort of miracle that quite a large number of the national dailies came out with bumper editions with layers and layers of adverts. I admit that some of the projects listed as giant strides for some state governors were, at best, laughable if not ridiculous. I wonder how these so-called state chief executives feel when they see that their media minders have merely filled the blank pages with extra-sized pictures of boreholes, tricycles and bicycles published as evidence of ‘good governance.’ Hian!
In those days, it was so bad that a governor from the South Eastern part of this raped country considered it an achievement of no mean feat that the first Mr. Biggs outlet (a private firm) was located in the state capital during his tenure. His counterpart in a state in the South-West also thumped his chest that an Olympic-sized swimming pool was completed in record time in the governor’s lodge He even went ahead to display it on the state’s official almanac for that year. Somehow, that state appears to be blessed dim-witted fellows as leaders. It is from the same state that a serving governor occasionally comes out with grassroots political stunts like eating in the local ‘buka’, selling beans or cutting cowhide popularly called ‘ponmo.’ Don’t be surprised if such “people-oriented’ projects make it to the state’s official almanac with flowery captions! That is how low we have sunk. Therefore, when I noticed the flurry of adverts in the newspapers on May 29, I had taken time. to study the publications. Of course, there were those that give hope like in Kaduna State where Mallam Nasir el-Rufai is gradually setting the pace. There was Lagos State where Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s revolutionary governance style is not only wowing his teeming supporters but also wooing a large chunk of those opposed his election. Then, there was a pleasant surprise from Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s Sokoto State.
First, a confession: I never gave Tambuwal a chance as a governor because of the circumstances that led to his emergence. Though a crowned prince for the position in the twilight of his tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governorship ticket was a second choice and I assumed he never prepared for that responsibility. If he had enjoyed the support of the powerful forces in the All Progressives Congress, he would have gunned for his first choice—the Presidency. He did struggle to scale that hurdle at some point but it was manifestly clear that the game was up. Naturally, I had thought that he would sit out his tenure as governor and take a fresh shot at a presidential ticket at an opportune time. But he proved me wrong too early. From all indications, the former lawmaker knows what governance is all about. Where others are wasting scarce resources on white elephant projects, including the construction of air-conditioned overhead bridges, Tambuwal has adopted identifiable developmental models in deploying the resources available to the state.
In a country where lackeys are routinely settled with appointments into juicy political positions, it was almost unbelievable, in fact incredulous, that Tambuwal has only appointed one Special Adviser since he took over on May 29, 2015. Elsewhere, his colleagues appoint hundreds of aides, including domestic staff paid for by the state in addition to enjoying the perquisites that come with such elevation. While others waste billions of naira to attend to the needs of these varied hangers-on, Tambuwal has, within a year, been able to set up some key nuggets for the general development of his state. They include three Micro-Finance banks to be established in the three senatorial districts; take off of the state contributory health scheme in four communities, and; approval granted for the upgrading of six hospitals to premier health facilities in various parts of the state. Tambuwal also ensured release of funds for the completion of 22 major projects inherited from previous administration in the areas of housing, energy, power, agriculture, water resources, mining, rural and community development.
The Tambuwal administration was said to have sponsored 22 doctors and engineers for medical and engineering studies in foreign universities under the Higher Education Scheme Programme; attracted 25 International Development Partners to Sokoto to work in the health sector; engaged 213 Doctors and Health Professionals to develop Sokoto State Strategic Health Plan for 2016-2020 in collaboration with RTI/LEAD/USAID. He also provided funds for the completion of 500 housing units for 300 civil servants who benefitted from home renovation loan guaranteed by the government
He also recruited 500 new teachers to boost manpower in secondary schools; employed 500 junior and mid-cadre staff into the state civil service, along with drivers, messengers, mechanics and other clerical/administrative officers. For children with cleft palate or Noma syndrome, arrangements were concluded for 583 such Noma patients to receive free plastic surgeries at the state-run Noma Children Hospital. Tambuwwal’s administration ‘created’ 1000 new millionaires in Sokoto after the payment of retirement benefits to 1,907 pensioners. In addition, it purchased JAMB forms for 8,000 Sokoto youth for the 2016 examinations and over 6,500 epilepsy and psychiatric patients received free medication from the government.
He seems to have a good perspective of how to touch his people’s lives with meaningful impact and the list goes and on. There was not a single mention of the ‘renovation’ or ‘rehabilitation’ of the government house to ‘meet international standard’ befitting the status of state governor. What stands out is the people-oriented slant of the projects. That, to my mind, is Governance 101. As a friend said, the mistake most leaders make is their misconception of the exact needs of the people they govern. Where they were expected to tackle basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing, they wander into the phantasmagorical realm of building bridges that people would never use and projects that merely satisfy the bloated egos of the elite. Countless of such tasteless ventures filled up the pages on May 29. Only few stood out and Sokoto State was one. When states that owe workers’ salaries running into months start flexing muscles on the pages of newspapers over projects that cannot attend to these basic needs, then something is fundamentally wrong somewhere. You cannot continue to impoverish and alienate the citizens and expect nothing short of the growing riotous outrage in many parts of the country. Time was in the past when governments exhibit sheer incompetence and get rewarded with another term in office. With dwindling fortunes and almost zero IGR, serious-minded state governors are becoming more ingenious in the management of resources.
I do not need to list the names of those still playing to the gallery. They know themselves. Why should some select few be creating jobs and attending to the needs of their subjects while their counterparts toy with their subjects’ future with grandiose silliness If Tambuwal and few others have learnt how to cut their flowing babariga according to their cloth, why is it difficult for the noisemakers among them to fall into line? Well, I presume that one year is too short to begin a festival of praise for a man who still has his eyes fixed on the bigger prize— President Muhammadu Buhari’s present seat. It is, however, ennobling that he has shown early signs of seriousness unlike many others, still groping in the dark. Asked of his plans for 2019, his response was nothing but a lesson in political gerrymandering. Listen to him: “In my view, it is wrong to bring up the issue of 2019 when we are just a year old in office. This is 2016 so the discussion about 2019 is unnecessary at this time. My philosophy is simple: during political season, discuss politics, during the time of governance; the focus should be governance towards actualising people-focussed development.”
For now, Tambuwwal appears to be moving fast towards being a unique exception but ironically, he does not deserve too much adulation yet because being the nation’s number five public official must have equipped him to see farther vistas. More relevant than the speculation of higher future office is the verdict of Sokoto people who have a right to experience real change as they are seeing now. For now, we can only remind him that the jury is still out there, monitoring to see how enduring his current show of passionate zeal and commitment to good governance would be. Part of the great values of democracy lies in the people’s right to determine future sanctions or applause for those given the opportunity to lead. Will Tambuwal be one of the few exceptions to the rule? The time ticks for him still.
Grateful to be 50
Just like yesterday, this young man made it to the proverbial golden age last Thursday. All through that journey of doubts, successes, betrayals and trials, God has been there even when I was the least qualified to share in His grace. It is for that reason that I am here, saying ‘Thank you Lord for the gift of life.’ I am eternally grateful for the way He lifted me up when I thought I had lost all. Thank you Lord . . .for everything.
