By Francis Nansak, Lafia
Since the rebirth of democracy in 1999 after decades of military incursion and administrative dominance in Nigeria , the experience of the returned to civilian administration has created a paradigm shift under season political leaders .
The difference became manifest from 1999/2007 and 2011/ 2019 as was vividly seen and felt by citizens of the state, especially that the “SEEING IS BELIEVING”slogan became a factor in the holistic sectoral development of Nasarawa State , which earned the then governor , Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura the indelible nickname” Architect of Modern Nasarawa”
To some extent the Senator Al-Makura’s reigns as governor in the state was one live saving administration that injected fresh blood into governance in the state and across Nigeria for his visionary leadership.
Al-Makura can be best described as the BLOOD BANK of politics not only in Nasarawa alone but to all well meaning Nigerians who by coincidence, personal meetings or working with him directly.
In Nasarawa State , there is hardly any practicing politician from the grass root to the city that has not felt the touch of his administration.
The Sardaunan Gwandara, a tittle he bags from his kinsmen was bestowed on him for his unparalleled attributes which has connects with the late Sardauna of Sokoto was rightly an offer he exemplifies as a political leader.
Call him father, leader , guru or champion, he possess the capacity and abilities, as father , he endured the enrollment of less privilege children to school, he ensured the establishment of a special school for the physically challenged . As leader, he supported and promoted cultural values by upgrading traditional stools and as Guru the account of defeating a seating governor and thereafter planting a successor , makes him the champion who has turn out to be the Political Blood Bank in Nasarawa
Under his administration as governor, Senator Al-Makura laid the foundation upon which citizens of the state ride on unto various developments , as it has breed so many to becoming self reliant, employers of labour ,investors and political gurus in their different levels.
The state at the time he took over power as governor was more or less a faceless community with little to attract foreign and local investors for businesses that would add value to it untapped abundant natural resources,but in less than 100 days the capital city, Lafia for the first time wore an urban look and most of the facilities installed were commission by the then CPC presidential Candidate and immediate past president ,Mohammadu Buhari.
Road networks , markets , clinics and schools took a modern features that gave sense of belonging to citizens of the state who hardly stay in town, but visited only during ceremonies for lack of basic infrastructures.
The Seeing Is Believing mantra was heavily criticize, however for his determination and commitments Senator Al-Makura bequeath citizens of Nasarawa State.
This he achieved as a sound private sector actor which fused in the life of the state civil servants the attitude of turning in revenue into the treasury making the IGR 100% fatter than ever. This sense of making money for the state led to the establishment of NAGIS for the purposes of Land Administration. This Political Blood Bank of Nasarawa in his two years stay in office signed and issued more than 200 Certificates of Occupancy, were as in the past not more than 20 of such certificates were signed.
Senator Al-Makura as fondly called”Tanko Na Miata” gave opportunities to women in governance and encouraged their full participation in politics , he also elevated the youths to serve in his cabinet.
As Senator , after a successful two term of Eight years as governor , to prove that Al-Makura remains the Political Blood Bank of Nasarawa, local government chairmen, his kitchen cabinet members and former and serving legislators rally round him for his blessings, support and advise.
For the solid political based he laid , Senator Al-Makura would be the last leader to forment disaffection, frown and lambast any of his political opponent, instead instruct on how best to treat even those who instigate war in the state.
And despite his not being in power today, Senator Al-Makura maturity and wealth of experience have continue to attract seekers of public offices and political appointment to troop into his private residence and office for guidance.