In Niger state, it is axiomatic that Dr. Mustapha Jibril’s reputation towers many miles above the reputations of his peers. He is unarguably one of the most revered and followed contemporary political leaders in the state.
The medical expert personifies the hope of the ordinary people who, for ages, have been in a ravenous clamour for a leader in whom they could see themselves and who isn’t detached from their realities, unlike many others who readily exude their membership of superior strata of the society by their privileged backgrounds or position.
Immediately Mustapha arrived on the political scene; he minced no time before becoming an indefatigable and unalloyed sweetheart of the masses because of his unique leadership style deeply rooted in humanitarianism.
Even though he is a scion of the prominent Dr. Alheri family, which has been immortalised by having a street named after the patriarch, his father, in the Tunga area of Minna, even though he is a progeny of an elitist family; even though he has spent many days in the corridors of power, Mustapha has remained humble and easily accessible to all classes of people. His political feats have been imbued with empathy with the people, especially the needy, whom he considers to be at the core of his public service adventures. He needn’t say it himself; his body language and leadership approaches have spoken louder than words. The deluge of testimonies that trail his personality and leadership style are bold testaments to his human-centered political ideals. He also exemplifies the maxim, ‘leadership is service to the people’.
Mustapha’s birth and work life ensue from a place of service to the people. As a child whose parents were medical doctors, it is safe to say that he was raised with the innate desire to help the less privileged members of society, as he probably would have seen his parents did. He also followed in his parents’ footsteps by pursuing the noble profession of medicine, specialising in Public Health which is driven by the values of public safety, particularly for under-served people. He also married a medical doctor and seasoned public health expert to typify further that his life is all about serving and saving people.
This explains his meritorious stint with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), where he became the Fund’s Coordinator for Niger state. During that time, he led many noteworthy public health programmes. Previously, he had worked with other public health institutions, such as the Global Fund Health System Strengthening grant to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), among others.
This incursion into Mustapha’s work history serves the purpose of demonstrating his deep-seated history of passive and active immersion in the service of the public, which he now propagates as a politician. And his culture of servicing the public, especially the needy public, explains his simple political worldview defined by the need to help the people whose trust he bears as a political leader at all times. This is why we have a man in whom most people put their trust and hopes for a better climate of change that brings about good tidings for everyone.
His political journey has been defined by selflessness and humanitarian endeavor. His love for the people supersedes his interests as a politician and leader. Little wonder his name always personifies generosity and kindness in Minna and Niger. It is needless to say that a leader of his sturdy upbringing couldn’t be expected to do otherwise but to follow the noble path of selfless leadership, having been shaped by the realities above.
Having excelled as a commissioner for health and, subsequently, as commissioner for investment, commerce, and industry, the people of Chanchaga local government area are lucky to have him at the helm of affairs of the LGA. Indeed, the people would benefit hugely from his already proven integrity, kindness, and innovative ideas, which he brought to bear as a two-time commissioner.
For example, it was during his time as the commissioner for health and hospital services that the now-celebrated Niger State Contributory Health Scheme took off after securing both the legislation and administrative structures for the operationalization of the scheme for the benefit of Nigerlites. His astute leadership led to the transformation of the primary healthcare system, which attracted more than N5 billion in direct funding to the state’s health sector from local and international funders, including the federal government, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, among others.
And as the commissioner for investment, commerce, and industry, his leadership occasioned the development of Sector Specific Investment Incentive Policy which was the first of its kind in Nigeria. He also spurred the success of the Bill for the Establishment of Niger State Investment Promotion Agency and Investors’ Guide, which guides potential investors on the investment opportunities in the state, among other notable achievements.
Suffice it to say that the people of Chanchaga could not have made a better choice than unanimously voting for Dr. Mustapha as their chairman. A man with a proven antecedent of kindness, humility, and generosity cannot only be expected to live up to the expectations of his people but surpass what he had done in the past. Nigeria needs an empathetic leader like Mustapha in these critical times of despair and hopelessness. A humanitarian leader will not only bring about sustainable development but will inspire his people to believe in themselves and strive for the collective good of society. We can only pray that Almighty Allah will give him the strength and wisdom to continue to uplift his people with impactful and exemplary leadership.
Gata writes from Abuja
