On this exact day one year ago, the baton of leadership of Kwara state was passed to HE AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq after a resounding victory at the poll. I am eternally glad to be part of that revolutionary and historical moment.

When AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq took his vows and promised to set the state’s governance vessel on a reasonable course, the people of Kwara state and, indeed, the whole nation looked forward in eagerness to see whether the man will deliver on his promises. Today makes it a year since those holy vows were made, and I shall hereby attempt my own examination of his leadership within that period.

Given that he took over on the promises of taking Kwara out of economic backwater; uprooting corruption; eliminating poverty; turning Kwara to a hotbed for entrepreneurship; making Kwara a tech oasis; reshaping the overall cognitive orientations of our people to commensurate and keep up with a fast pacing world; entrenching gender equality; making quality education available for all; creating a conducive environment for SMEs and running an inclusive governance in the spirit of participatory governance; it is understandable that the works on his table are quite demanding. 

The demanding nature of his job, notwithstanding, has not been able to undermine his efficiency as a governor. Looking at what has happened within the last one year in the area of socio-economic development and impactful leadership; it is safe to say that the government of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has brought to the state unprecedented developments, whose demonstration is now found in the nooks and crannies of our state. These are not Progressive claims; they are activities of physical verity. 

So far, 56 percent of his cabinet is made up of women – first of its kind in Nigeria and yet the most accentuated gender equality demonstration in the country as at present. In the education sector, his government refunded the 450 million Naira that was allegedly diverted from the Universal Basic Education (UBE) funds by the previous government, thereby engineering re-admission of Kwara state back into the organization after five years of proscription; seven months’ salary arrears owed by the past administration was promptly paid; over 8,000 final year students from Kwara state across varying tertiary institutions in the country were duly paid their bursary; scholarship of 100,000 Naira was earmarked to students of Kwara origin in law schools across the country, and numerous primary and secondary education facilities are being built, and some renovated. 

Speaking of water supply, by the same token, Kwara North has witnessed rehabilitation of Patigi waterworks and 7 of Lafiagi waterworks came shortly after his assumption of office. The same gesture was simultaneously extended to Asa Dam in the state central senatorial district as well as Igbaja waterworks in the South.  Each one of this region got several boreholes as a supplement to this while further development in the area of water supply are being made.

In infrastructural developments, to wit, roads, health care facilities, sewage systems, are now a thing of everyday sight in the state. Not a single local government in the state is left out today without an ongoing infrastructural project by the government.

Most recently, under the coronavirus-propelled lockdown, the youths in the state were given free access to online class in digital marketing, while senior citizens in the state are being reimbursed with cash under a social welfare program known as Owo Arugbo. 

We do not want to get down the morass of SMEs-friendly policies, the agricultural stimuli, and human capital development, but a little inquiry into the state of SMEs in the state will rub up the mind of anyone that cares to know.

These are gladdening turnarounds and massive developments, the apogee of which we are yet to witness. Hence, we must thank the governor for his due diligence, his visionary leadership and, most importantly, for sustained will to better the lot of Kwarans in spite of political headwinds and improve our national standing.

If governance means protecting the dignity of those without wealth and ensuring that the wealthy maintain their positions, then AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has not only been a paragon of good governance but has also set a new paradigm. This sterling style of leadership is what endears him to us because it is what we bargained for. 

Today is, therefore, another day to say that the sacrifice of letting go of my gubernatorial ambition was worth it. And had I assumed that position, I could not have prayed to achieve more. 

It should go without saying that I share with several right-thinking Kwarans the bias that we are not yet where we are supposed to be. But I say without fear of contradiction that our path has never been this clear towards a better life for our people. The journey of a thousand miles has finally been kick-started. And even as we tamper our exuberance on these developments, it is time we left in the past any sort of post-election dissonance we might have had.

And in that hopeful understanding and faith in the ability of this leadership do I urge my fellow citizens of optimism and call for their support for this dispensation. Having observed this government closely for one year, I make bold to say a call for support for this government is now a patriotic duty. 

Fellow Kwarans, join me in celebrating this icon and a made-to-order public servant in commemoration of his one year in office. 

AbdulFatai Yahaya Seriki Gambari is the CEO, Kursi Investment Ltd.