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By Allison Abanum
A red ball is unmistakable amongst a stack of white balls. Such theory is universally accepted because of its validity, it’s inherent characteristics a major tool for distinction. From one generation to the other, humanity is graced with the presence of personalities worthy of citing analogies parallel to a distinct red ball amidst white ones. People who stand out amongst a vast majority in character, knowledge and competence. Step forward Rt Hon Abdulmalik Zubairu, Member representing Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
Worthy of induction into the rare breed of public servant and excellent administrators, Abdulmalik Zubairu has indeed paid his dues as an important cog in the mechanics of nation building. Having studiously applied himself to the pursuit of knolwdge and enlightenment, his journey has seen him submit to learning in some of the world’s renowned leaders like Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa making him a competent force in public service and governance for national impact.
Of course like that distinct red ball, his commitment and dedication to his people have placed him actively in the mix of governance for over two decades with timely breaks spent even more note worthy on the local scene. Having answered the call to play his part in the development of Zamfara state in critical moments, Abdulmalik Zubairu cemented his place as a renowned public servant per excellence, currently investing heavily on human capital development and turning his constituent to a modern city.
It is safe to assume that someone with such an impressive commitment to his people will at some point entertain that urge that all impact makers have a desire to make impact on a greater level and at this point, the ordinary citizens both inside and outside Zamfara state needs to tell the world who Abdulmalik Zubairu is and rightly so.
Obviously well equipped with expertise and experience, he is indeed one personality that fits the billing anytime anyday. Abdulmalik Zubairu has taken his time to try and enumerate some of the excellent plans he has for his people. Ultimately aiming to transform his constituency into a national and global developmental beacon through empowerment, infrastructure and economic re-positioning, leveraging on the great work done by his former Governor Abubakar Abdulaziz Yari of which he had been an integral part. In a recent speech Abdulmalik Zubairu highlighted a broad spectrum of his plans and blueprint for his people before 2027 . From a neutral stand point, it’s hard not to see the Intelligence, craftsmanship and workability of this blueprint. His offering to Bungudu/Maru People as summarised In the proceeding paragraph.
“Good governance is essentially the efficient management of resources and accountability for the stewardship over those resources in a people-oriented manner. Development is about the people. So, my essential goal will be to factor the people into every government policy.
I have done some deep thinking and quite a lot of reading to conceptualise how my people can be developed. I took time to read the development aspirations that drove some of the regions in Nigeria in the 1960s” .
“I discovered that similar aspirations took Singapore to the league of developed nations. Similar aspirations took Malaysia and Indonesia close to the margins of developed nations. I have worked in all three countries and others that are popularly referred to as Asian Tigers. But the case of my people, it has been arrested development. I have also looked at contemporary global reality and how the world is changing regarding knowledge and technology-driven tendencies.
A perfect blending of the past with the realities of today is what my people needs moving forward″
A parallel drawn with countries like Singapore and indonesia shows someone of immense critical thinking whilst still in touch with reality. His creative idea to lure in foreign investment is eye catching and is aimed at drawing in funds to tap into the vast human and natural resources available in his constituent and fund a clearly defined future vision. His experience in public service and governance will be essential in managing this envisaged funding and also useful in handling some of the problems currently faced with key stakeholders in the quest for development.
Managing the affairs of a complex people in that part of Nigeria obviously comes with immense challenges as there will arise a clash of interests amongst parties. But really this arises from the adoption of less wholistic approach to governance in such area.
Abdulmalik Zubairu indicated a plan to toe the lines of a medium/long term wholistic developmental master plan backed by viable legislation and contributed by everyone across all ethnic divides in the state. This idea is quite appealing as policies arising will be for a collective interest that will go a long way to help quench the flames of unrest and unsatisfaction anchored on ethnic lines.
His plans for industrialization, infrastructure, ICT, education, housing, health, public sector reforms and women in government speak of someone with a clear plan that is anchored on fairness and inclusive governance. Expatiating more on the plan to have at least 35 per cent women and 25 per cent youth active in the governance process is an indication of a willingness to tap into largely overlooked reserves of human resource.
For someone who leverages heavily on his immense wealth of knowledge, Abdulmalik Zubairu is sure to place high premium on properly educating his people to re-position the populace for better personal and collective value. A desire to pay adequate attention to both technical and vocational education has been cited.
“My vision is to transform lives through education, recognising its essential role as a primary driver of development that will strengthen and deepen our democracy, ensuring leadership accountability and representation along with economic benefits. We will work closely with relevant stakeholders to develop and revise policies and programmes to achieve the global sustainable development goals for education 2030. We will focus on access, equity and inclusion, quality, and positive learning outcomes using modern methods and ICT”
“We shall continue to provide free and compulsory primary and secondary education with appropriate infrastructure. We will recruit teachers where necessary, ensure regular training and retraining, and incentivise them with good emoluments. ICT, skills acquisition and entrepreneurial studies will be incorporated into the curricula to help our youths adapt early to the demands of our fast-changing world”
Although we do not operate an entirely technocratic system of government, it is expedient to have at the helm, people of expertise in fields of human endeavour paramount to societal development. Output from these sort of people is at a premium because the logic behind such outputs is most times workable and productive. Abdulmalik Zubairu has proven to himself to be productive part of a team that has shown competence in delivering on a good percentage of the original plans laid out at the beginning, therefore a step forward to head that sort of team should be seamless.
•Allison Abanum writes Abuja.
