Still on Governor Ramalan Yero as Dallatun Zazzau

Yero became governor after the unfortunate demise of his boss, the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa. As deputy governor he endured disrespect of sorts from appointees of the governor, even as he was reportedly relegated to the background in the order of protocol, the fact that he was the second citizen of the state notwithstanding. […]

Yero became governor after the unfortunate demise of his boss, the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa. As deputy governor he endured disrespect of sorts from appointees of the governor, even as he was reportedly relegated to the background in the order of protocol, the fact that he was the second citizen of the state notwithstanding. His story has, however, proved that whoever God chooses he makes a leader, no matter the odds against him. Power, indeed belongs to Allah.
Though very young, the governor has displayed the wisdom of a 70-year-old leader. He has brought peace to the hitherto troubled state. As a firm believer in the power of dialogue, he initiated a platform for citizens’ interaction, with greater unity and peaceful coexistence amongst several ethno-religious divide in the state as terms of reference.
This initiative is already yielding results in the state as efforts are being made by citizens at all levels to achieve enduring peace.
His administration is everybody’s business as he carries everybody along. This is a demonstration of genuine reconciliation, peace, unity and prosperity for the people.
Some people refer to him as a silent achiever. He talks very little but takes more action on important issues of the state. The result is the completion of projects that will satisfy the needs of the ordinary man.
Although he is adorned in royal ornaments, he is the champion of the talakawa. His achievements are seen throughout the nooks and crannies of the state. He is a giant in the moon.
The truth is that his political mentor, Vice President Namadi Sambo, has nurtured him to become a giant among his peers. His uncommon approach to peace building has attracted both national and international recognition. He is the winner of the Global Peace and Security award by Global Movement of Peace, U.K, 2013. He also has the Icon of Peace award by MTN/Kannywood, Best Performing Governor in Peace Building by the City People magazine, Lagos 2014; Role Model Leadership Award, 2013, by African Times, among others. The government and people of Kaduna State are thanking God for this exemplary leadership. They can now go about their normal businesses. Their lives and prosperity are safe. They cannot ask for more.
It is in recognition of these giant strides that His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Idris, CFR, bestowed on him the title of “Dallatun Zazzau” on April 19, 2014 in the ancient city of the Zazzau Emirate. That event attracted all the sons, daughters and friends of Kaduna State, both at home and in the Diaspora, including the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON.
The pump and pageantry that greeted the event was an indication that honour was given to whom honour is due. In the short period of his stay in office, the people of Kaduna State are witnessing true dividends of democracy. Apart from completing projects left halfway by his predecessor, the Dallatun Zazzau has kept faith with his ambition to reposition the state in line with world best practice. He is giving priority attention to education as the bedrock of development. He is reconstructing public schools as well as providing them with facilities such as science laboratories, computers, libraries, including teaching aids. His administration is supporting tertiary education through the provision of basic infrastructure. Worthy of mention is the Kaduna State University. A visitor to the university in recent times can mistake the campus for Harvard University in the United States of America.
The governor has ensured prompt payment of bursary to students, and plans are underway to send deserving indigenes to overseas for further studies. This is in line with his vision to promote functional education as a means of improving the manpower and human capacity of Kaduna State. He wants Kaduna State to lead for others to follow.      
The health sector of the state is also on the governor’s searchlight. As a visionary leader, he could see beyond the ordinary. Presently, work is in top gear to upgrade the Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital to a teaching institution. Little wonder his turbaning ceremony witnessed a very large crowd. Everybody wanted to catch a glimpse of the historic occasion as they wished the Dallatun Zazzau many more years of leadership opportunities. One could easily see the burning passion in a man poised to do for Kaduna State, what the Napoleons before him could not do.
On assumption of office as governor, many people thought he was too young and inexperienced to navigate through the murky waters of administering a large and easily troubled state like Kaduna. But he swung into action from one end of the state to another, proving critics wrong.
We call on the amiable governor to remain focused. He should consider critics as distracters. Achievements are like pregnancy, they do not hide.  
It was not a mere coincidence that the Pacific Western University in the United States of America awarded the Dallatun Zazzau an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration. Indeed, he is an administrator par excellence and modern day crusader of equity and justice.
What’s more? Civil servants in the state sing his praises. He is concerned about their plight. He is a man of the people.
As a professional accountant he knows what it means to be prudent. He is putting every money into good usage. He is quite different from other governors who set out to squander the people’s money. He tells you the truth, admits his wrongs and takes responsibility.     
As the 2015 general elections approach, the people are advised to be wise in casting their votes. We cannot afford to go back to the dark old days.
Alhaji Tanimu Y. Sa’ad is the managing director of Himma Energy Ltd, Kaduna.