ECHOES OF SENATOR UMAR TANKO AL-MAKURA’S LEGACY:

Detailed report on the exemplary leadership of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, following the celebration of his legacy projects, particularly the recent takeover and conversion of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospita, Lafia, to Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital by Federal Government

There is no doubt that events of August 21, will linger in the memory of the people of Nasarawa State. It was the President Bola Tinubu approved the takeover and conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist hospital, Lafia, to Federal University of Lafia Teaching hospital.

The President’s approval was contained in a State House press statement issued by the then Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.

The statement read in part: ” President Bola Tinubu has approved the takeover and conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, Nasarawa, following a request by the Nasarawa State government.”

“The conversion of the health facility to a federal teaching hospital will not only enhance the training of students in medical and allied sciences but also boost healthcare delivery in the state. President Tinubu remains committed to ensuring the social welfare and healthcare security of Nigerians and will aggressively sustain his administration’s investment drive and efforts in the sector.”

The formal presentation of the letter of President Tinubu’s approval of the conversion of the health facility on September 5, signified the formal takeover of the hospital by the Federal Government. The Emir of Lafia, HRH Dr. Sidi Bage Mohammed, presented the letter on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate.

Stakeholders hail devt:

Shortly after the announcement, the media space was awash with news of excitement pouring in from many Nigerians, particularly residents of Nasarawa State, who hailed President Tinubu for approving the takeover and conversion of the state owned specialist hospital to a university teaching hospital.

Prominent among the personalities, who expressed joy over the development was Governor Abdullahi Sule, who appreciated President Tinubu for approving the conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital to a federal university teaching hospital. The governor said from day one, the President had taken the issue of the teaching hospital seriously after the state government and other stakeholders explained the real situation to him.

He appreciated the support of other stakeholders within and outside the state for the various roles they played in making the dream of the teaching hospital a reality, saying it will facilitate the training of more Indigenous doctors and other medical personnel.

Similarly, the member representing Awe/ Keana/Doma federal constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Nalaraba, hailed President Tinubu for approving the takeover and conversion of the hospital. Nalaraba said the takeover and conversion of the health facility marks a monumental step towards the development of the state’s healthcare and educational sectors.

He added that the facility will not only serve as a pivotal platform for the training of medical students, but will also enhance quality of healthcare delivery to the people.

The lawmaker lauded Governor Sule for his proactive role in advocating for the conversion given the impact it will make on the state. He also commended the immediate past governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Al-Makura for initiating a bill that gave birth to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital.

His words: “The sole idea of the bill was muted by the former governor in 2021 and it passed through all due legislative processes at the hallowed chamber of the Senate and House of Representatives as required by law. Also, worthy of note is that before his exit in May 2019 as governor, AlMakura, also graciously donated a building for the take-off of the teaching hospital.

“With these, Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura has demonstrated exemplary leadership and a clear vision for the future of Nasarawa State. The conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital into a federal teaching hospital will not only serve as a pivotal platform for the training of medical and allied sciences students, but will also enhance the quality of healthcare delivery to our people.”

The Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara, who also lauded President Tinubu, said: “This landmark decision which follows a request by the Nasarawa State government, highlights Mr. Presient’s commitment to enhancing quality health care provision to Nigerians in line with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The conversion of the health facility to a federal teaching hospital will enhance the training of students in medical and allied sciences in the college of health sciences of the Federal University of Lafia.

Aside boosting the health care delivery service in Nasarawa State, the facility will significantly create massive job opportunities for the teaming unemployed youths in the state and beyond in line with the NDE mandate. “Therefore, Nasarawa people are indeed excited about the development as the gesture will forever remain indelible in our minds, courtesy of the people oriented policies of President Tinubu’s administration.”

A prominent leader and advocate for sustainable development in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Abdul Giza, on his part, acknowledged that the landmark decision underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria, particularly in underserved regions.

According to him, the transformation of DASH into a Federal Teaching Hospital is expected to bring advanced medical training, research opportunities, and specialized healthcare services closer to the people of Nasarawa State and beyond. His words: “This upgrade is not only a milestone in our healthcare sector but also a testament to President Tinubu’s vision of fostering sustainable development in our nation.

The Federal Teaching Hospital Lafia will undoubtedly enhance the quality of healthcare services available to our people, while also creating more opportunities for medical professionals in the region.”

While highlighting the long-term benefits of the university teaching hospital, including the attraction of highly qualified medical personnel, increased investment in healthcare, and the overall improvement in the healthcare delivery, he called on the state government, stakeholders, healthcare professionals and the general public to support the initiative and contribute towards its success.

The real development of Nasarawa State started with the administration of Governor AlMakura during the CPC before it metamorphosed to the APC and now Governor Abdullahi Sule in his second term

Foundation:

Perhaps, the most excited person among the notable personalities that hailed President Tinubu over the takeover and conversion of the specialist hospital to a federal university teaching hospital is Senator AlMakura, who is the brain behind the university teaching hospital. Al-Makura conceived the idea of the university teaching hospital in 2012, when a delegation from the Federal University of Lafia visited him at the time he was governor during the take-off of the university.

He later initiated and sponsored the bill for the establishment of the university teaching hospital in 2020, while in the Senate, and the bill was assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari having passed through all legislative processes. Being confident of the realization of his dream, Al-Makura expanded and built more structures befitting of a standard of a university teaching hospital at the hospital when, he was governor of the state.

Today, the former governor is being celebrated with heroic praises as one who conceived the idea of the federal teaching hospital and pursued it to the realization of what is today called Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital. An elated Al-Makura said of the development: “I am excited and I am filled with unlimited joy that by the special grace of God, something that I conceived when I was the governor has materialized.

I conceived the idea of a teaching hospital in 2012, when the delegation from the Federal Government visited us at that time for the take-off of the Federal University, Lafia. “I even went ahead and improved the structures and equipment at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital and also build another separate structure befitting of a teaching hospital.

So, after my tenure as a governor, I was elected to serve as a senator and I decided to continue with the dream of having a teaching hospital in Lafia to serve the university. “I therefore sponsored the bill for the establishment of the teaching hospital and it had undergone all the necessary legislative processes and passed in September 2022. Thank God the President had graciously assented to it recently.”

He said the hospital would be of enormous benefit to the state and beyond in terms of training of more medical doctors and addressing the various health needs of the people. Al-Makura revealed that as a senator, he attracted a lot of projects to his constituency and promised to do more to improve the welfare of his people if given another opportunity.

The former governor was senator between 2019 and 2023. He represented Nasarawa Southern Senatorial District at the National Assembly. He influenced over 52 constituency projects to Nasarawa South within four years in office and he has been praised by many both within and outside the state as governor and as senator.

The general belief in some quarters statewide is that real development of Nasarawa State started from 2011, when AlMakura was governor. It was against this backdrop that he was nicknamed ‘ The Architect of Modern Nasarawa State” when he was governor because of the monumental achievements recorded during his administration. This earned him recognition and awards, including “Sardaunan Gwandara” and “Champion of Inclusivity in Governance.”

There is also no Al-Makura opened Nasarawa State for accelerated development and rapid economic growth and development. Lafia, the state, hitherto a glorified local government headquarters transformed to a modern city, with massive road construction and upgrade of infrastructure under his watch.

Commendation:

Nasarawa State chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Aliyu Bello, who shared in this widespread sentiment, in an interview with journalists, said the real development of Nasarawa State started from 2011 during the administration of Al-Makura on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and scaled over to the APC.

His words: “l can vividly tell you that the real development of Nasarawa State started with the administration of Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura during the Congress for Progress Change (CPC) before it metamorphosed to the All Progressive Congress (APC) and now Engr. Abdullahi Sule in his second term.”

“The 13 years journey of CPC and APC in Nasarawa State is incomparable regarding quality representation and leadership. The sixteen years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State was a total charade and motion without movement.”

Salihu Abdullahi Osuko
(Garkuwan Giza)
Media Aide To Distinguish People’s Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura.