By MUSA YUSUF
In the United States around the 18th and 19th century, there existed men and women of fi nancial, educational and political means who impacted quite positively on their fellow citizens and by extension the socioeconomic dynamics of America. And they never failed to ensure that their material resources were extended and utilized for the common good of the people without regard to language, section or creed, so long as those that were to be assisted were their fellow Americans, all believing in the cherished and shared values of their country. Docketing and chronicling names that are synonymous with human capital development like; John Rockefeller, James Carnegie, Paul Melon, Gerhard Ludwig, John Ford resonates as testimonies to philanthropic services, benevolence, and charity to their less fortunate brethren. And to this day, foundations and charities exist that continue to render assistance to a variety of causes and pursuits which are devoted to making the world a better place and for humanity’s existence of a far more pleasant and comfortable life.
Indeed, those benevolent and accomplished men and women could have chosen to simply cater for themselves and their immediate families without giving a hoot for the fortunes or misfortunes of their fellow countrymen. But they rather chose to stand on the right side of history and be counted for positive and life changing interventions that raised the welfare and well-being of the citizens for the better. Even though it wasn’t an obligation to do so, yet they were driven by moral sense and human demur to railroad and toe the line of philanthropy.
Th erefore, the rapid and tremendous socio-economic development of the United States owes a lot to the foresight, compassion, sense of philanthropy and public service of these great men and women who were part of the enlightenment age and political emancipation that ushered the country into the 20th century. Th is was before the fi rst and second World Wars propelled America into the world stage and subsequent super power status to this day. However, it is not only in that part of the world that there exists outstanding people of compassion, benevolence, charity and generosity.
As a matter of fact, similar personalities can be found on the African continent, particularly in Nigeria. In Gombe State, in particular, there are able, energetic and resolute personalities of worth and grit who have taken the destiny of their people to the next level in their avowed commitment to making the society a gentler, kinder and more livable space. Dr. Bala Bello Tinka, community leader, political supremo, accomplished professional, motivational mentor to the youths and renowned philanthropist par excellence, has shown that a tree can, indeed, make a forest if the will, purpose, conviction, and dedication are mobilized and coagulated in order to achieve set results and outcomes no matter the challenges or obstacles encountered.
In the corporate and business arena, an enterprising and highly resourceful Tinka has resolutely made his mark, having successfully chaperoned a set of world class companies and corporate outfi ts that have impacted positively on the nation’s socio-economic index while lifting the material status of the people to the next level. For instance, Tinka is the Chief Executive Offi cer of Tinka Point Construction Company, a business model that is a key player in the nation,s building and construction sector.
Th e company has impacted to the development of Gombe State to the envy of the rival states and contemporaries. In the educational sector, Tinka has also fi ngered the pie as the Chief Executive Offi cer of Matrix International School, one of the most sought after educational institutions in the country with state-of-the-art classrooms. Th e schools are fully equipped with hi-tech computers and scientifi cally enabled laboratories. It also has highly qualifi ed staff and facilities, providing sound education and morals to keen and impressionable students in a conducive and enabling environment.
As an ardent philanthropist and social humanist, Bala Tinka does not enlist only the scions of wealthy and infl uential homes to his schools. On the contrary, adequate provisions are made for indigent students as his mantra is quality education for all and sundry. As an all-rounder in the socio-economic sphere, he is also the esteemed CEO of the yet to be commissioned Matrix International Hospital, which is highly reputed and set for providing critically acclaimed health, maternal, pediatric and general surgery care round the clock that would give an alternative to those that have to go on medical tourism abroad. In the complicated political arena, Bala Tinka has equally shown his mettle and had maintained political relevance since the return of democracy in 1999. He was instrumental to the success of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State and the nation at large.
Tinka tremendously assisted and played vital role in the electoral campaigns of the ever performing Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo through the instrumentality of the highly resourceful Talba Neighbor to Neighbor movement where he was the esteemed convener. In fact, a multitasking Tinka also served as the Director of the Gombe North Senatorial Zone of the Dankwambo 2015 re-election campaign organization. And despite stiff opposition and pressure from APC change hurricane, Dankwambo successfully emerged the winner at a time many of his contemporaries lost their reelection bid. By his complementary interventions in the running of government by providing job opportunities to the teeming youths and contributions to the development of Gombe State, Bala Tinka has proven to be the better candidate that can take and sail PDP to the Promised Land in the forthcoming election in Gombe State if given a chance. He has labored for the party and the sustainability of democracy and equally his contest is the contest of hope, continuity and greater Gombe State.
Yusuf wrote from Gombe
