“A frontrunner is one who is aware of the best way, goes the best way, and reveals the best way.” – John C. MaxwellDr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, the amiable and charismatic Governor of Sokoto State has, with none iota of doubt, distinguished himself as a visionary chief, who by way of transformative insurance policies constructed round his 9-Level Sensible Agenda, has profoundly modified the unhappy story of his state in lower than two years. It’s attention-grabbing that Governor Sokoto has succeeded in capturing the creativeness of not simply the nice folks of Sokoto State, the place he superintends because the twentieth governor, however that of many Nigerians, by placing up a superlative efficiency pushed by a burning fireplace inside him to make an enormous distinction within the lives of the folks.
Although the welfare and safety of the folks is the very goal of presidency, many a time, the lacking hyperlink is the shortage of that burning fireplace to ship in some leaders that’s largely liable for their failure. Which is why the purpose wants be emphasised that the spectacular story of over 180 impactful tasks efficiently accomplished below two years by Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto is a mixture of a number of elements – the clear understanding by the governor that he can’t afford to disappoint himself, or his father and chief, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and his aware consciousness that historical past would decide him cruelly if he fails. In fact, there’s additionally the notice of the truth that his administration would at all times be the main target of consideration of not simply the mass media, however of the Muslim ummah who see the Sultan of Sokoto as their non secular chief, and pay eager consideration to developments within the state. Lastly, for Governor Sokoto, the opposition Folks’s Democratic Get together (PDP) issues to the extent that they hold him constantly centered on doing issues proper and posting seen outcomes.
Governor Sokoto deserves a thunderous commendation for bluntly refusing to be an “common performer” and for holding himself to the next customary of efficiency regardless of working in a nation the place the management bar is abysmally low and the expectations of the folks minimal.
The Solar Newspaper Group, which conferred “the Governor of the 12 months 2024” on Governor Sokoto, in recognition of his sterling efficiency, have confirmed that certainly the Fourth Property of the Realm can discharge its huge duty of holding governments accountable. That they picked the governor regardless of the shortage of satisfactory publicity on his achievements reveals that The Solar Newspapers Group has been following occasions in Sokoto State past the media hype. They know the performing governors and the newspaper tigers.
The award is spot-on as a result of, in Sokoto State, the sing music is “muna ganin ayyukan masu tasiri a kasa”, that means we’re seeing impactful tasks on the bottom, which is each an acknowledgment of what Governor Sokoto at all times describes as his “modest efforts” to ship the products and a derision of the administration of former governor Aminu Tambuwal that in eight years constructed castles within the air.
It received’t be misplaced for The Solar Newspapers Group to determine a class for the likes of former governor Aminu Tambuwal for poor efficiency. Tambuwal definitely deserves an award for the best variety of deserted tasks. Within the good outdated days, colleges registered infamous noisemakers of their notorious black books, which had some impact.
Unknown to The Solar newspapers Group is the truth that in recognising Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto as an impressive performer, they’ve vindicated the place of the governor that he would slightly let his works communicate for him than spending his restricted sources to publicise his quite a few achievements. Media is pricey. Going ahead, Nigerians ought to count on the governor to not take his arms off the plough and to pay extra consideration to publicising his developmental efforts, having been “completely harassed” by the likes of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, who was visibly perplexed by the below reported achievements of Governor Sokoto throughout his go to to Sokoto State to fee a few of the tasks executed by the governor.
However whereas Governor Sokoto has dutifully complied with the “presidential order” of Baba Obasanjo, who’s infamous for his frosty relationship with journalists, by participating the companies of a media advisor to additional his communication efforts with the folks of Sokoto State and certainly Nigerians, the media organisations mustn’t count on to see a free spending governor at all times doling out windfalls to draw publicity. As an accountant, Governor Sokoto would at all times prioritise between spending N18 million on a half-hour tv programme and the sinking of boreholes for his folks. The Governor Sokoto that I’ve come to know would go for the enduring borehole slightly than the fleeting publicity.
However how impactful are Governor Sokoto’s tasks and the way has he funded them? The Solar newspaper was spot on in its letter nominating him for the award that his first project was the restoration of the folks’s confidence within the capability of presidency to ship on their primary wants, which former governor Tambuwal, his predecessor, had tragically betrayed.
Lengthy earlier than Might 29, 2023, residents of Sokoto metropolis had no entry to pipe borne water as a result of the Sokoto State Water Company, closely indebted to Kaduna Energy Firm, was disconnected and had no electrical energy to pump water. Mountains of refuse defaced the panorama, oozing out putrefying odour. Salaries had been paid nicely into the following month, which demoralised the general public servants. Not even the pensioners that gave their youth to the state had been spared the agony of governance failure. By 2023, Aminu Tambuwal had left a legal responsibility of over N14 billion in pensions and questionable financial institution loans, with many belongings of the state prone to being confiscated by the banks. Governor Sokoto modified the narrative inside a number of months in workplace. He has drastically diminished all liabilities, particularly pensions, and made provisions for brand new retirees with out borrowing from the banks.
There’s a consensus that the interval between 2015 and 2023 remained the worst chapter within the historical past of Sokoto State, because the state mainly stagnated as a result of it had a visiting governor that was extra within the presidency of Nigeria, than governing the state. Sokoto State suffered neglect .
Governor Sokoto’s administration has had a outstanding affect on each sector of the state’s economic system, from infrastructure to agriculture. And these efforts haven’t solely tremendously improved the standard of life for the nice folks of Sokoto State however have additionally strategically positioned the state as an funding vacation spot and as a mannequin of fine governance in Nigeria.
Governor Sokoto’s complete dedication to bettering the safety on the troubled Japanese border with Zamfara State has been matched with actions. He established the Sokoto State Neighborhood Corps, constructed army bases, acquired autos for the safety companies and elevated the allowance for the women and men battling the fear retailers. A few of these tasks must be borne by the Federal Authorities.
One key sector that the governor has made an enormous funding is the tutorial sector the place, constantly, he has surpassed the UNESCO suggestions. It’s not stunning that within the 2025 finances, schooling bought the lion’s share of the N526.88 billion allocation, a transparent assertion of Governor Sokoto’s dedication past intentions. He totally understands the significance of schooling because the bedrock of improvement. Faculties have been renovated and new lessons constructed, which has led to a major enhance in enrollment of pupils and drastic discount within the variety of out-of-school kids. His scholarship scheme has additionally enabled college students to pursue larger schooling, each inside and outdoors the nation.
Governor Sokoto’s agricultural coverage thrust is the huge manufacturing of meals, which might enhance the dwelling customary of the folks and provide uncooked supplies for the agro-allied industries. The state intends to organize 5,000 acres of land for farming for which it has entered right into a partnership settlement below the SPIN programme, with the Federal Authorities and the World Financial institution. The state intends to make use of 4 dams of which two are owned by the Federal Authorities – the Goronyo and Kware dams, and the opposite two by the state authorities. To attain his goal, the governor has offered farmers with fertilizers, improved seedlings, and trendy farming gear. The restore of the dams and reinvigoration to make the land extra arable are additionally ongoing. If Governor Sokoto succeeds in his agricultural improvement initiative, not solely will Sokoto State farmers earn higher revenue, however they’ll in the end save Nigeria international change spent importing meals.
That Sokoto State has witnessed an unprecedented infrastructure improvement is an announcement of reality. The Ahmad Sokoto administration has constructed and rehabilitated roads, and bridges, thus bettering connectivity and boosting financial actions. The governor’s give attention to rural improvement, the set up of solar energy streets lights, roads and rehabilitation of major healthcare services has additionally ensured that a number of rural communities are experiencing the dividends of democracy.
Moved by the housing disaster, Governor Aliyu Sokoto, inside his first 100 days in workplace, commenced the development of 500 housing models comprising of two bedrooms and three bedrooms at Wajeke and the New Sokoto Metropolis, a website and companies scheme with over 1,960 plots, which is prepared for allocation to candidates who want to construct their very own homes. As a result of the governor considers housing a proper of the residents, he bought 136 models from the Federal Authorities in Kuwnawa which have been allotted to deserving public servants. In recognition of his excellent efficiency in city planning and housing improvement, the governor bagged the 2024 City and Housing Governor of the 12 months award.
Not like Tambuwal, who made abandoning tasks a “state coverage,” Governor Sokoto has accomplished just about each deserted undertaking began by his predecessor and those began by former governor Aliyu Wamakko. The Lydia flyover and the South Japanese Bypass initiated and deserted by the Tambuwal administration has since been accomplished by Governor Sokoto as a part of the trouble to decongest the town of trailers and different autos bringing in items backward and forward the metropolis.
The nice folks of Sokoto State yearned for a pacesetter that might change their story and lead them with empathy. Not solely has Governor Sokoto answered them, however he has by day continued to endear himself to the folks on account of his humility, kindness and an unwavering dedication to creating Sokoto State higher than he met it. In accepting The Solar newspaper award, Governor Sokoto made it clear that the award was a name to extra arduous work. He mentioned: “To whom a lot is given, way more is anticipated.”
Governor Sokoto isn’t solely deeply non secular, however is targeted and captivated with public service. Fortunately, the workplace hasn’t modified him. He has remained his witty and pleasant self. He has been identified to share tea with the poor whereas inspecting tasks and such encounters have helped him with crucial suggestions on his insurance policies. There isn’t any doubt that Sokoto State is benefiting from Governor Ahmad Sokoto’s involvement in governance since 2007 when he was drafted into authorities by Wamakko, who first noticed the management qualities in him and took him below his wings for sensible tutelage.
Governor Sokoto’s excellent efficiency and transformative affect on Sokoto State clearly made him a worthy candidate for The Solar Newspaper Governor of the 12 months Award. His dedication to bettering the lives of his folks, his progressive insurance policies, and his unwavering dedication to good governance set him aside as a real chief. By honouring him with this award, The Solar Newspaper has not solely recognised his achievements however would even be inspiring different leaders to emulate his exemplary management. Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto is certainly a beacon of hope and a logo of what’s attainable when management is pushed by ardour, integrity, and a real want to serve.
