The task of making Kaduna great again

His response was disarming.  He said, “Oga, if my air conditioning is working I too will enjoy it alongside you.  I like the good life too sir.  Oga, do you know that there are now more than 750 cars registered as taxis at this airport?  There is not enough money (generated) to eat let alone […]

His response was disarming.  He said, “Oga, if my air conditioning is working I too will enjoy it alongside you.  I like the good life too sir.  Oga, do you know that there are now more than 750 cars registered as taxis at this airport?  There is not enough money (generated) to eat let alone maintain our vehicles.”  My driver had a lot more to say.
I sat in silence pondering on all that this gentleman had to say in response to my simple critique as we trudged along the highway from the airport to the city.  My thoughts in situations like this are always on examining what we could do differently as leaders to unleash the potential of our nation for the greater good of our people.
As if reading my mind, my driver interrupted my thoughts with a most unlikely remark:  “We have not had a real government in this city since the departure of el-Rufai!”  I adjusted myself in my seat and requested my driver to repeat his statement.  He said, “Oga, since the time of el-Rufai, there has been no government in Abuja!”
My driver went on to describe how Malam el-Rufai as the then Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory introduced the unique scheme called the Abuja Urban Mass Transport programme. The fleet of vehicles graced and dominated the streets of Abuja in their different colours of green, black, red and yellow and became the delight of advertisers who used the body of the vehicles to send different types of messages to the public between 2002 and 2007.  Alas, it appeared that the usual gap that exists in developing societies between the conception of an idea, its graduation into policy and the implementation of that policy as a programme seemed to have been overcome.  
However, this was as far as the transport scheme went as it started having problems when a new administration came into power.  The joy of the majority of Abuja residents was short-lived due to another problem developing societies face – that problem being the issue of continuity and sustainability of programmes regardless of the government in power.  Several policies in Nigeria have suffered changes, reversals and even outright failures because those entrusted with the implementation of the programmes are not of the same mind or properly aligned with the originators of the policies and do not really understand what the policies or programmes were meant to achieve.  The strengthening of our institutions for sustainable development is the key to addressing this issue.  As a nation, we must find ways to institutionalize good programmes so that reversal is hard or even impossible when the programme takes a life of its own, and the people now own it.
Returning to the nostalgia with which my taxi driver remembered the days of El-Rufai as the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and how it affected him specifically, I could not help but rejoice at the good fortune of the people of Kaduna State in electing el-Rufai to govern the State for the next four years.
The expectation of the people of Kaduna is high not just because Kaduna has become a shadow of its old glory and people were craving real change, it is also because the clamour for a better deal coincides with the antecedents of the incoming governor in providing quality leadership.  
El-Rufai’s competence and capacity to lead the good people of Kaduna State out of its present state of coma to the promise land was precisely the reason I registered my unalloyed support for his aspiration to office of Governor of Kaduna State.
I have watched Malam’s career with keen interest and admiration.  The steady rise of his political profile is a testimony to his hard work, grit and sterling leadership qualities.  The inspiration Mallam provides to the young and old across Nigeria through courageous and meritorious service in different capacities to our great country is commendable.  
His time as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is noteworthy as so much was achieved.  His has gathered experience that easily made him the best candidate on the ballot for the governorship of Kaduna State at this point in time.
Malam must focus on his plan to provide good government, foster communal harmony, and make the pursuit of peace and prosperity a unifying mission for the residents of Kaduna State. Our team is committed to empowering the public service to deliver efficient services and to promote the restoration of infrastructure, jobs and economic growth.
The people of Kaduna State and interested observers will expect an el-Rufai-led government to deliver, and quickly too, on the following priority areas the campaign had identified: Investment in Education, Healthcare and Social Welfare; Internal Security, Law and Order; Transparent Governance and Improved Service Delivery; Investing in Infrastructure for Economic Growth and Job Creation; Improving Agriculture and Natural Resources Management.
Speaking at the inauguration of el-Rufai’s campaign for the governorship, General Buhari (now President-elect), “These qualities are firstly competence, integrity and courage. Whoever that is interested in the development of this country, and I have seen the way he handled Abuja, we know that he loves this country, and he is endowed with these three qualities I have mentioned. So, people of Kaduna State, I assure you, if you vote for el-Rufai, you are not doing him a favour, but you are doing yourselves a favour.”
I could not agree more with the President-elect.  The people of Kaduna also listened and voted massively for Malam. I want to express my personal congratulations to him on his election as Executive Governor of Kaduna State.  We are very fortunate to have someone of his obvious abilities and background and wish him a very successful tenure.
Capt. Choms wrote from Lagos.