BY Yusuf Mshelizza
Kaduna State is one of the most cosmopolitan and most strategic in Nigeria with an enviable history.Unfortunately,it became divided( both capital city and state) due to the manipulation of ethnic and religious sentiments by various state and non- state actors leading to stagnation and a state of limbo.
Governor Uba Sani who inherited a state divided by ethnic, religious and political differences leading to economic stagnation and developmental paralysis showed uncommon leadership by dismantling barriers and uniting the state through purposeful leadership anchored on Justice, equity and restoration,leading to the remarkable transformation of the state within just three years.
He has demonstrated both his competence and capacity to govern and transform the state and the polity as a whole but needs a capable deputy who has the same philosophy and outlook on life to consolidate on his achievements of transforming Kaduna in his second term.
Mr Anthony Hassan, Dokajen Jaba ,popularly acclaimed as DOKAJE fits the bill perfectly as they both have the same multi- sectoral experience,passion for sustainable development and advancement of the Common Good without religious,ethnic, social or ideological bias.
Both have backgrounds in the public and private sectors and are competent technocrats by all definitions.While the Governor is an Engineer and a financial expert who has worked in the public and private sectors,Dokaje an accountant and a banker has diverse experience as an accountant,a banker,a private businessman and a civil servant at both the state and federal levels retiring as a Director.
He walks the talk.Even before his retirement from public service he was an employer of labour and a philanthropist with a passion for community development and uplifting the poor and the downtrodden irrespective of creed or ethnicity.He believes strongly that no outsiders can develop a people or a nation but the people themselves and establish several businesses and engaged in impactful empowerment programs to uplift the poor and downtrodden.He believes passionately that a people or state cannot achieve their full potential unless they collaborate across religious,ethnic and partisan divides because no outsiders will develop them.He has believed in self- independence for his people in particular and the state in general instead of blaming outsiders for the lack of adequate development commensurate with the natural and human resources available which is the same philosophy of the Governor
He pioneered the first private university in the southern senatorial zone,now the Federal University of Applied Sciences,Kachia( FUASK)
Governor Uba Sani ,an Engineer with additional qualification in finance had worked with his predecessor Nasir El- Rufai when he was Minister of the FCT as well as Adviser to him on Political and Intergovernmental Affairs when he was Governor.As someone who has also worked as a senior aide to President Obasanjo on Public Affairs,as well as an elected senator of the Federal Republic,he will consolidate the achievements of his first term and break new grounds with someone as Dokaje as his Deputy.
Both are philanthropists with particular bias for improving the livelihoods of the poor and the downtrodden.They are both cosmopolitan,well- educated with the requisite leadership training and experience and they will work in synergy for the advancement of Kaduna State in all spheres of development
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Yusuf Mshelizza Writes From Kaduna, Nigeria
