As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, the polity gets heated by those who are jittery and scared of defeat at the polls. The power of the people, especially when they unite and line behind the right candidate, is always something that gives many pretenders sleepless nights and they resort to all forms of acts untoward to jeopardise the polity. Plateau North Senatorial District is no doubt in need of a leader who cannot play to the gallery of tribe or religious politics but will be accountable to his people through good governance.
Muhammad Shafi’u Yakub Sahlan is one of the few distinguished Nigerians whose priorities are service to the people and upliftment of the downtrodden whose future has been mortgaged by ineffective leadership for quite sometime. It is in the light of the above narratives that Plateau North Senatorial District is waiting patiently to slot in the new general leadership in his likes in the forthcoming elections.The All Progressives Congress, APC, and the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have both failed in different foras to give us the leadership we desire as a people whose votes are platforms of winning elections. Glad as we are today is having this noble personality on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP.
Born in Jos North local government area 40 years ago, Sahlan started his primary education at Islamiyya Pilot Science Primary and School for Higher Islamic Studies Jos for his secondary school education. He has a diploma in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and later Bayero University Kano where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Shafiu’s admiration for his people, leadership and services to humanity started at tender age having served as Head boy, President JETs club School for Higher Islamic Studies, Assistant Secretary General National Association of Plateau State Students (NAPSS),Welfare Officer National Association of Mathematical Sciences Students ,Secretary General Jos Students Consultative Forum (JOSCOF) and was a President of S.H.I.S Old Students Association Bayero University Kano.
It is an inarguable that Mallam Shafi’u Sahlan is one of the highest employers of labour in Jos North local government area through his investments that have hundreds of young men and women on his payroll. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Sahlan School of Health Technology, Simple Standard School Jos, Sahlan Bread, Sahlan Fish Farm, Sahlan Table Water and Sahlan Integrated System where both Christians and Muslims are gainfully employed. That training and retraining of the general public to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS are mitigated by training a number of saloon barbers cannot be over emphasised.
His sojourn into politics is anchored on service to the people and humanity through wealth creation and employment generation, especially through his educational support. He has provided both materials and financial support to schools, religious organisations and communities through cash and kind donations. He has enlisted a number of both Christians and Muslims students on scholarship, especially orphans at Sahlan College of Health Technology Jos.
As a firm believer in the diversity of Nigeria and Plateau state in particular, he has made many publications anchored on peace building, using English and Hausa for easy communication. Impact of Ethno-religious Conflicts on Livelihoods that gave details on causes and proffered solutions on the long artificial wall of ethnic and religious conflicts in Jos North and Plateau state in general. Matakin Fahimtar Siyasa a Musulunci (Politics in Islam) Rayuwa da Jahilci, Ba uziri bane (Illiteracy in life never an excuse) and Eliminate Computer Phobia, 5-Series, among others. He is a certified project manager, performance review, computer appreciation including Microsoft office proficiency. A young Nigerian whose traits are titled towards building lasting legacies where fairness and equity are used in governance for peace, unity and development will strive in Nigeria and Plateau North in particular.
He has taught at School for Higher Islamic studies, Ungwan Rimi Campus,Tetengi Comprehensive School Bauchi road, Jos, Basmah Memorial School, Jabal-Un-Noor International School, Dogon Dutse Jos and Trust International School. He served the nation through NYSC scheme in Imo state and was a computer Instructor at the University of Jos Consultancy Information Technology Institute. He attended several workshops and seminars which included effective security control, leadership development and management, role of biomedical laboratory science in management of global health burden with emphasis on HIV/AIDS/TB2/malaria and work ethics and attitudinal change, among many others.
He contested the APC primaries to represent Jos North-North Constituency in the just concluded primaries but lost and left to the NNPP to vie for the Senate. The injustice he lived all his life to fight was the reason APC failed to field this noble personality on its platform. His decision to join NNPP is borne out of intensive calls by the constituents who are in need of good governance which they have been denied for decades. He has provided functional, progressive and beneficial all inclusive leadership to all and sundry beyond tribe and religion.
As its stands, the wellbeing of the people is a priority and will change the narratives of exclusion being peddled by providing an alternative voice for the masses among too many to mention. One interesting thing about this noble personality and turn around expert is his non discriminatory quality and skills he is exhibiting in Sahlan College of Health Technology Jos where religion, tribe and regions are not the tools for consideration in the areas of appointments and admissions. The school was rated 17th in the federation and second in Plateau state in 2020 National Examinations. His connection to the masses is overwhelming, apart from canvassing support for the NNPP presidential candidate, he will as well help the party significantly to win elections at all levels.
He unveiled his services to humanity at a tender age having served as head boy, president JETs Club School for Higher Islamic Studies, assistant secretary General National Association of Plateau State Students (NAPSS), welfare officer National Association of Mathematical Sciences Students, Secretary General Jos Students Consultative Forum (JOSCOF) and was a president of S.H.I.S Old Students Association Bayero University Kano respectively.He also a serving Jos Center Detachment Leader of First Aid Group of JIBWIS, National Secretary General Internet Media Committee of JIBWIS and National Commandant Diffa Squadron of JIBWIS.He currently commands majority of the youths and women groups in city of Jos North because of his philanthropic activities within the city centre making him the point man in other local Governments making up of the Plateau North Senatorial District.
He is a communicator par excellence and a man whose fundamental strides is acknowledged in per second per second in Jos North,Plateau state and beyond.If elected there is no doubt the less privileged will have in their table the best Representation in history.He worked in different fields of human endeavours and has added to his archive countless working experience that will make his work as a law maker in the National Assembly as senator representing the good people of Plateau North Senatorial District.
Mr Tor writes from Jos South local government area, Plateau state.
