Senator Umar Tanko Almakura: And His Visionary Leadership Style.
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way” — John C Maxwell.
By this time last year, it seemed like everything that could possibly be written or said to celebrate Sen. Almakura, had already been captured and widely reported in all the media platforms; Print, Electronic and Social media.
But as it is typical of the dynamic nature of the great, Extraordinary man himself, the last 365 days have unearthed a whole new vista of phenomenal and exemplary manifestations of courageous, focused, determined and pragmatic and humane leadership trajectory.
This has not only injected hope and purpose in our collective existence as a people, but has most importantly, defined Sen. Almakura as “A leader who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
Bill Taylor, from his seminal article: “Do You Pass the Leadership Test?” said this about leadership by example: “The true mark of a leader is the willingness to stick with a bold course of action — an unconventional business strategy, a unique product-development roadmap, a controversial marketing campaign — even as the rest of the world wonders why you’re not marching in step with the status quo. In other words, real leaders are happy to zig while others zag. They understand that in an era of hyper-competition and non-stop disruption, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to stand for something special.”
Anyone living in Nassarawa State and Nigeria today would be forgiven, if he/she authoritatively declares that Bill Taylor, the brilliant best-selling author, celebrated entrepreneur, and groundbreaking thinker, must have been inspired to coin this definition of leadership, after witnessing first hand, the charismatic presence and positively impactful actions of Sen. Almakura.
The fearless, courageous, pragmatic, articulate and very outspoken advocacy in the legitimate quest for constitutional clarity over contentious issues, which Sen. Almakura has displayed with competent authority, makes his leadership model iconic.
There is no doubt whatsoever that in the years of his administration as Governor of Nassarawa State, Nigerians have come to embrace and admire Sen. Almakura’s tactical audacity, strategic acumen and the sure-footed administrative astuteness which sets him apart as a visionary leader.
Loved by his people and buoyed by the collective desire to prevail against forces which threatened to strip NASARAWA people of their historic essence and heritage, Umar Tanko Almakura’s identity and crusade metamorphosed into an unstoppable movement and in the monumental style of leadership.
The story of the last years of Sen. Almakura’s administration in Nassarawa State as a governor and as a Senator which commenced with his single minded determination and firm leadership agenda to re-organize, re-strategize and re-order the socio-political and infrastructural priorities of the state, has undoubtedly transformed the entire landscape of Nassarawa state and its capital city, Lafia.
The beautiful years of his tenure, the robust and breathtaking urban renewal agenda in the capital city and indeed the determined drive to achieve interconnectivity across the length and breadth of the State, as well as expand the landmass of hitherto waterlogged riverine communities to provide much needed space, through massive sandfilling and land reclamation, have progressed and accelerated with amazing results.
The transformational trajectory has seen the State being re-positioned to become a beautiful, stable, safe, secure, dynamic and bustling modern hub for commerce and sustainable entreprise, as well as the destination of choice for progressive activities.
This has welcomed everybody, enhanced and fostered harmonious coexistence of all and has been hailed even by leaders of the opposition.
Senator Umar Tanko Almakura has already confirmed that his administration will not only deliver at least one legacy project in every local government area of the state, he will also not leave any abandoned project or debts behind for his predecessor when his tenure comes to and end in 2023. He is a promise keeper and a man of his words.
Intrestingly, Sen. Almakura’s massive influence in the political terrain is no less formidable, both at home and at the national arena. He has redefined electoral attitudes and governance responsibilities in his own home APC and ensured that the state remains one of the most peaceful political theatres in the country.
This has resulted in the massive defection of notable and respected opposition figures into APC, even in spite of the combustible nature of the fragmented PDP and indeed, in the face of an unending yet futile diversionary opposition agenda, to distract him from delivering good governance to NASARAWA people.
Through him, Nigerians are putting their hopes on the APC to salvage whatever is left of the country, after the unfortunate and hapless PDP misrule comes to an end, and turn the fortunes of the country around for the better.
As we celebrate his great style of leadership today, there is no doubt whatsoever, both in the minds of Nassarawa people and majority of Nigerians that, at last, we have been blessed with a leader who knows the way and is not afraid to show us the way and lead us all the way to redemption, in the true mould and spirit of the kind of leadership which this season and our people desire and deserve.
Salihu Abdullahi Osuko
(Garkuwan Giza)
Media Aide To Distinguished People’s Senator Umar Tanko Almakura.
