Gov Aliyu: Sokoto’s true servant leader
By Baba Shuaibu
State governors, as public officeholders, have a responsibility to serve all residents of their state, both the elites and the most vulnerable. In this regard, Dr Ahmad Aliyu, governor of Sokoto state, has served the downtrodden and the vulnerable members of the state with a zeal unprecedented in Sokoto state annals of leadership.
Unlike other public officeholders, this rare state executive is fully aware of his duty to promote social justice and equality, ensuring that the rich have access to the luxuries they can afford without hindrance and the poor and needy equally have access to basic needs of life like healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
By serving the downtrodden, Dr Aliyu has empowered the marginalised and forgotten communities, helping them to break the cycle of poverty and improve their social and economic status. He has become the mouthpiece of the masses who have been in the past left voiceless and uncared for.
Aliyu’s leadership style is an inclusive growth and development principle where everyone contributes to and benefits from the state’s progress.
The governor’s focus on the people helps create a more compassionate and equitable society where everyone has a sense of belonging, creating more patriotic citizens who are unleashing their potentials on the state on daily basis.
His concern for the people have made a meaningful difference in their lives, fostering a more prosperous and equitable community for all to live meaningful lives. The loyalty he created among his subjects increases by the day, creating a class of patriotic citizens joyfully carrying out their civic responsibilities without force.
The chief servant is a dedicated public servant who is working tirelessly to improve the lives of the people of Sokoto State. His leadership and vision are focused on the development of the state, as he continues to inspire hope and confidence among the people.
As a strong advocate of self-reliance, he has provided a conducive atmosphere for small businesses to thrive. Business cannot be run successfully without sound health, so he has put in place a strong healthcare reform as well as providing initiatives to improve access to quality education particularly for rural communities.
As a public officeholder, Aliyu possesses a unique combination of qualities that inspire, motivate, and galvanize his followers to achieve a shared vision that makes a society he leads next to heaven, even as he has a clear understanding of his state’s goals and has developed the ability to achieve them.
Gov Aliyu carries the state duties with honesty, equity and transparency in words and actions.
His ability to understand and relate to the needs and perspectives of his subjects prompted him to put in place communication for effective listening and to articulate ideas and feedback that benefits all.
He has never worked alone; he always make informed, timely, and sometimes tough decisions after a wide consultation with stakeholders.
As a servant leader,
he takes responsibility for his actions and leads by example, glorifying the saying that example is better than precept.
With the foregoing, it is evident that Dr Aliyu inspires the entire people of Sokoto irrespective of political party, for teamwork, and this is creating a positive and productive work environment for state’s labourforce.
Despite the recent challenges facing Sokoto State over fake news peddling and unsubstantiated allegations from the corridors of power on his dealings with traditional institutions and issues bordering on security as well as insubordination of some traditional rulers, Governor Aliyu remains committed to delivering on his campaign promises. This he has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
As a governor who believes that government is a continuum, he has continued to build on the progress made by the previous administration that holds promise for better life. So why won’t he draw supporters to himself like ants to sugar?
Baba Shuaibu writes from Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto State