Six years ago, five young Nigerians graduated from Usmanu
Danfodio University with a bachelor’s degree in Law and were on the
verge of missing admission into the Nigerian Law School due to lack
of finances. Over dinner, it was mentioned to the then Speaker of
the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, of the
dire situation the young ones were in and how their dreams of
becoming lawyers was getting away by the hour. Without asking who
they were, he directed us to contact them. Few days later, he not
only paid for all they required, he ensured each of them got a
laptop computer to aide their studies.
The interesting aspect of this story is that few days ago, I
encountered one of them in Abuja and while thanking me for
intervening at a very critical period in their lives, he expressed
disappointment that none of them was able to meet with Tambuwal to
thank him collectively and individually for his dream-saving
gesture.
Why am I telling this story today? The lesson here is simple:
some people are attracted to those who need help because it feels
good to be of help at critical times. Whenever someone is hurting
or suffering in some ways, kind-hearted individuals deliberately
come forward to help without even wanting to be praised. This is
where Tambuwal comes in.
I am sure the lesson in this encounter is not lost on Tambuwal
himself. This is because his life does not lend itself to
embellishments – it is an inspirational and captivating study of
the triumph of mind over matter. As we mark his birthday today, we
will all meditate on this lesson, and draw the positives that will
continue to illuminate paths in our relationship with others.
In the last 52 years, Tambuwal has left no one in doubt about
his capacity for fair and equitable representation. Over the years,
he has demonstrated ability to meet with the needs and demands of
the people that he encountered. His profound achievements as
Governor in the Seat of the Caliphate have drawn praises, honour
and recognition from far and near.
In his role as the Number One citizen of Sokoto, Tambuwal has
raised the ante of purposeful leadership and good governance. By a
magic of work, ethics and sincerity of purpose, his administration
has prioritized areas whose importance will continue to have
enduring impact on the life of the citizenry. Such sectors include
education, agriculture, health, women and youth empowerment,
energy, poverty eradication and revamping of the entire governance
structure.
His administration is making positive impact in public schools
by building new classrooms, supplying of chairs, tables and
textbooks for students, delivering new buses to schools, and
flagged off program to enroll 1.4 million new kids into schools in
the next 12 months. All these led to a stamp of commendation by
UNICEF after the number of out of school children dropped by half
in the state in two years.
In agriculture, 140 women and pensioners were trained in fish
farming and supported with grants and starter-packs of tanks and
fish feeds to start businesses. The government gave out 981,000kg
of improved rice seeds to farmers free of charge to support them,
and after ir introduced wheat farming to the state for the first
time, it gave 6000 bags of 100kg wheat seeds to farmers, free of
charge.
To ensure sustainability, promote new technology and enhance
private sector participation in farming, the state government and
Dangote Industries Ltd started a rice outgrower scheme at Goronyo
and Middle Rima Valley. 1000 farmers were engaged for the pilot
project in 2017 with 500 hectres of land committed. For the 2018
farming season, 2000 hectres will be used with the number of
farmers also increasing.
All these efforts were complemented by distribution of
fertilizer, water pumping machines and pesticides. The result is
increase in yield and more wealth and prosperity for Sokoto
farmers.
The same team work and strength of character led to these
successes replicated in all the sectors of the economy of the
state.
Tambuwal’s approach to leadership is defined by the vision to
build people and enduring structures that can stand the test of
time. While most are admired because they move others to follow
their example, Tambuwal belongs to the category of a few who are
special enough to encourage others to find their own unique path.
Just by being who he is, he has sparked many to be who they want to
be. Through thoughtful leadership, great vision and sincerity, all
parts of Sokoto have felt the positive impact of his activities.
And for that, if for nothing else, he deserves to called a leader
who inspires.
In this season of politics, many, especially closer home, have
deliberately chosen to misunderstand Tambuwal. But as Ralph Waldo
Emerson said decades ago, “Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood?
Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther
and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise
spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be
misunderstood.”
With time, people will understand the fact that Tambuwal is
indeed a role model for all those seeking to understand how to make
impact with their lives. And on this momentous day of his 52nd
birthday, I thank him for his service, and wish him a happy
birthday.
Six years ago, five young Nigerians graduated from Usmanu
Danfodio University with a bachelor’s degree in Law and were on the
verge of missing admission into the Nigerian Law School due to lack
of finances. Over dinner, it was mentioned to the then Speaker of
the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, of the
dire situation the young ones were in and how their dreams of
becoming lawyers was getting away by the hour. Without asking who
they were, he directed us to contact them. Few days later, he not
only paid for all they required, he ensured each of them got a
laptop computer to aide their studies.
The interesting aspect of this story is that few days ago, I
encountered one of them in Abuja and while thanking me for
intervening at a very critical period in their lives, he expressed
disappointment that none of them was able to meet with Tambuwal to
thank him collectively and individually for his dream-saving
gesture.
Why am I telling this story today? The lesson here is simple:
some people are attracted to those who need help because it feels
good to be of help at critical times. Whenever someone is hurting
or suffering in some ways, kind-hearted individuals deliberately
come forward to help without even wanting to be praised. This is
where Tambuwal comes in.
I am sure the lesson in this encounter is not lost on Tambuwal
himself. This is because his life does not lend itself to
embellishments – it is an inspirational and captivating study of
the triumph of mind over matter. As we mark his birthday today, we
will all meditate on this lesson, and draw the positives that will
continue to illuminate paths in our relationship with others.
In the last 52 years, Tambuwal has left no one in doubt about
his capacity for fair and equitable representation. Over the years,
he has demonstrated ability to meet with the needs and demands of
the people that he encountered. His profound achievements as
Governor in the Seat of the Caliphate have drawn praises, honour
and recognition from far and near.
In his role as the Number One citizen of Sokoto, Tambuwal has
raised the ante of purposeful leadership and good governance. By a
magic of work, ethics and sincerity of purpose, his administration
has prioritized areas whose importance will continue to have
enduring impact on the life of the citizenry. Such sectors include
education, agriculture, health, women and youth empowerment,
energy, poverty eradication and revamping of the entire governance
structure.
His administration is making positive impact in public schools
by building new classrooms, supplying of chairs, tables and
textbooks for students, delivering new buses to schools, and
flagged off program to enroll 1.4 million new kids into schools in
the next 12 months. All these led to a stamp of commendation by
UNICEF after the number of out of school children dropped by half
in the state in two years.
In agriculture, 140 women and pensioners were trained in fish
farming and supported with grants and starter-packs of tanks and
fish feeds to start businesses. The government gave out 981,000kg
of improved rice seeds to farmers free of charge to support them,
and after ir introduced wheat farming to the state for the first
time, it gave 6000 bags of 100kg wheat seeds to farmers, free of
charge.
To ensure sustainability, promote new technology and enhance
private sector participation in farming, the state government and
Dangote Industries Ltd started a rice outgrower scheme at Goronyo
and Middle Rima Valley. 1000 farmers were engaged for the pilot
project in 2017 with 500 hectres of land committed. For the 2018
farming season, 2000 hectres will be used with the number of
farmers also increasing.
All these efforts were complemented by distribution of
fertilizer, water pumping machines and pesticides. The result is
increase in yield and more wealth and prosperity for Sokoto
farmers.
The same team work and strength of character led to these
successes replicated in all the sectors of the economy of the
state.
Tambuwal’s approach to leadership is defined by the vision to
build people and enduring structures that can stand the test of
time. While most are admired because they move others to follow
their example, Tambuwal belongs to the category of a few who are
special enough to encourage others to find their own unique path.
Just by being who he is, he has sparked many to be who they want to
be. Through thoughtful leadership, great vision and sincerity, all
parts of Sokoto have felt the positive impact of his activities.
And for that, if for nothing else, he deserves to called a leader
who inspires.
In this season of politics, many, especially closer home, have
deliberately chosen to misunderstand Tambuwal. But as Ralph Waldo
Emerson said decades ago, “Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood?
Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther
and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise
spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be
misunderstood.”
With time, people will understand the fact that Tambuwal is
indeed a role model for all those seeking to understand how to make
impact with their lives. And on this momentous day of his 52nd
birthday, I thank him for his service, and wish him a happy
birthday.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/tambuwal-leader-mentor-visionary-clocks-52-by-imam-imam/