By Basheer Luqman Olarewaju-Unique
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” – Shannon Alder
History rarely witnesses the emergence of personalities whose monumental leadership style and achievements change the course of lives and properties of citizens in the state. His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is one of such outstanding personalities whose contributions are multi-dimensional. For over a year in his capacity as the executive governor of Kwara State, he has been advancing our understanding of leadership and good governance, and inspiring several generations of younger citizens to learn how to be focused in any given assignment.
From a humble beginning of driving himself around the corner and crevices of the state to identify the plight of his people and looking for best ways possible to bring smile to the faces of the citizens regardless of political affiliation, regional differences or religious beliefs; he advanced to capturing the attention of the citizens across all communities with his uncommon wits and excellent leadership styles.
Pushing a transformational vision of Kwara, a state created in May 27, 1967, alongside Lagos, Rivers and Kano states but curiously lagging in all human development indices, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq deploys focus and an intimate understanding of his turf to address these key challenges and perhaps not surprisingly, he is indeed changing the Kwara story.
Undoubtedly, he is a portrait of excellence and achiever. He came not bearing gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. He brought service, dedication and integrity. And as with all wise men, he is living their example. His success story inspired several other young people who also have become accomplished oil & gas magnates in their own right. Renowned for his immense knowledge of the petroleum industry, his managerial skills and competence cut across energy, agriculture, construction, technology, shipping and real estate sectors.
Multiple progression is used to test the impact of the state’s development and rate of per capita income growth on approval of the governor’s job performance. Even with controls for national economic trends and other factors affecting the previous administration (taxation, tenure in office, party control of the legislature, state income growth), his unprecedented success has a significant positive impact that has increased over time. The impact is not symmetric; higher rate of uncommon developmental projects do lead to more positive ratings.
His determination to keep faith with his people whom he promised a new lease of life, Governor AbdulRahman has, in his duration in office, been braving the odds of the financial crisis the state is facing, to execute several people-oriented programs. In the last few months, Gov. AbdulRahman has completed some of the ongoing projects he inherited from the past administration. Several new ones are coming up.
Against all odds, this administration is putting all efforts in place to bring smile to the faces of all. Gone are the days Kwarans have no access to question any administration, the new look of Kwara is amazingly mind-blowing and it is only strong headed distractors wouldn’t see that Mallam AbdulRahman led administration is breaking many barriers.
The developmental projects in Kwara State cannot be overemphasized, recently the amazing feedback from inhabitants of rural communities are widely naked and visible to the blind. Never let anyone or anything distract you from noticing how amazing you are! distraction wastes our energy, concentration restores it.
The schools are being put to shape. Roads are ongoing. Potable water is now running from our taps. The Radio Kwara AM which nearly collapse before he took over is now functioning. New FM station is springing-up in Baruten LG. The health sector is wearing a new regalia across-the-board.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq therefore is ready to devise policies, procedures and rhetoric to counterbalance the lack of influence over state underdevelopment, he is ever known to be responsive and always at alert to call of his people without prejudice to any political affiliation. He is ever ready to up his game in the area such as the provision of housing, especially for the civil servants. Facilitating promotion for civil servants who are also due for promotion.
This government, also, has cautiously crafted plans to invest in legacy projects that will leave after him with more of security enhancement. Kwarans will be happy for giving him mandate to lead for his policies that will attract substantial investments across all sectors.
It is therefore needless to say that, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is giving Kwarans and Kwara a lead across the federation and a reflection to a global standard. What we need in the state of Harmony is not division; what we need is not hatred; what we have to uphold is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, selflessness, patriotism and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer from within, regardless of their party, ethnicity, societal status and religion.
