Nasarawa state, like many other states in Nigeria, is blessed with prominent political juggernauts and distinguished sons and daughters of repute who have not only written their names in gold in their various fields of endeavour but also made their marks in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political arena.
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the immediate past workaholic governor of Nasarawa state, is a gift to the people of the state. His 70 years sojourn on earth has been a life of services to God and humanity in accordance to the prayers and wishes of his beloved parents of blessed memory.
Suffice to say that the prayers and dreams of all responsible parents is to live a worthy and exemplary life and also gave birth to God-fearing children who will not only build upon their legacies but also keep the family’s name afloat and bring honour, dignity and pride to their people, society and humanity at large. Some parents are lucky to have their prayers answered while others are not despite efforts to put their children on the path of decency and righteousness.
For the highly reputable and respected Al-Makura family in the ancient city of Kwandare, Lafia North development area of Nasarawa state, it was a prayer answered as November 15, 1952, remains indelible in the history of the family. On that day God in his infinite mercy blessed the family with an illustrious son called Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.
Few years after his birth this God given child began to manifest the virtues of simplicity, humility, obedience, patience, perseverance, love for the common man, passion for humanity and determination to reach the apex of his dreams. This prompted men of wisdom and foresight to foretell that Tanko will bring honour and pride to his parents and become the emancipator of his people in the nearest future.
True to this prophesy, Tanko grew up to become a vibrant, intelligent, hardworking, determined and focused young man full of zeal to reach the apex of his academic dreams. Brilliant Tanko attended Dunama Primary School, Lafia from 1959-1966, and Government Teachers College, Keffi from 1967-1971.
He proceeded to College of Education Uyo, Akwa Ibom state from 1972 to 1978 for his NCE programme; he was the public relations officer of the Students Union Government (SUG). He was admitted into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria where he obtained the Bachelor of Education degree in 1978; he was also elected into the Students Representatives Assembly (SRA) of the SUG.
Al-Makura did his National Youth Service (NYSC) at Government College Makurdi, Benue state. Filled with a burning desire to make a mark in the service of his fatherland, Al-Makura took up appointments in various places, rising through a dint of hardwork, dedication and commitment to duty to become assistant producer news and current affairs in the then Broadcasting Corporation of Northern Nigeria.
Having paid his dues in the public sector, Al-Makura subsequently switched to the private sector, venturing into business and politics. He started his political career as the state youth leader of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Plateau state in the second republic. He was also a member of the party’s national executive committee.
He was elected into the House of Representatives (Constituents Assembly) representing Lafia/Obi federal constituency and became the state secretary of the National Republican Convention(NRC) in the aborted third republic.
He formed Al-Makura Nigeria Limited, importing and servicing agricultural and industrial machines. He after switched to property development market via his company Taal Nigeria Limited. Within a short time, Al-Makura succeeded to build a formidable business empire, with tentacles spreading across and outside the country, carving a niche for himself in the business world.
As a compassionate leader who always has the interest of the common man at heart, Al-Makura continues to use his hard earned wealth, business opportunities, influence and social contacts to put smiles on the faces of the common man and contribute his quota to the development of Nasarawa state and his people.
His humane disposition,enviable legacy, patriotism and immense contributions to the development of Nasarawa state and above all, his remarkable determination to the cause of democracy, good governance and accountable leadership made him an attractive bride to the people of Nasarawa state who dragged him into the gubernatorial race of the state in 2011 where he defeated the then ruling party to emerge as the third executive governor of the state.
Having come to Shendam Road Government House Lafia, fully prepared with a defined mission, vision and clear road map for Nasarawa state amidst paucity of funds, decayed infrastructure, high debt profile and complete collapse of governance in the state, Al-Makura hit the ground running to fulfill his promises to the people of Nasarawa state.
He kick-started his administration with the implementation of the N18,000 new minimum wage to civil servants in the state and massive construction of urban and rural roads with dual carriage ways and street lights in Lafia and various communities in the state, opening and linking up communities with road networks and other basic infrastructure adjudged as unprecedented since the creation of the state in 1996. Al-Makura also turned around the education and health sectors of the state to rank among the best in the country.
Within his eight years in office as governor, Al-Makura did not only raise the bar of governance in Nasarawa state but also re-wrote the development history of the state, making the state a model of good governance and infrastructure development in Nigeria to the awe of many. With his legacies and footprints scattered in all sectors of the state, the people were left with no choice than to nickname him the architect of modern Nasarawa.
As a senator representing Nasarawa South, Al-Makura succeeded to break the jinx of bad representation in the zone and continues to prove that he is indeed the best choice for Nasarawa South. He has continued to serve his people with more zeal, passion and commitment, giving his people true dividend s of democracy, especially in the areas of life saving interventions, legislative business, giving his people a voice, attracting federal presence to his constituency, project execution and sponsoring of bills and motions.
As the people’s senator and jagaba of Nasarawa politics celebrates his 70th birthday today, the people of Nasarawa state will continue to eulogise him and hold him in high esteem for his patriotism, love for the common man and making Nasarawa work again not only for the present but also for the future. As jagaba of Nasarawa politics turns 70 years today, we wish him Allah’s continuous blessings, guidance, good health,l ong life and more years of service to humanity, the state and Nigeria.
Àbari writes from Lafia, Nasarawa state via [email protected]
