By Saeed Tijjani
Kwara politics is taking a great path as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq keeps proving the naysayers wrong and clearing their doubts by bringing on board rich ideas and policy in order to keep Kwara working for all.
AbdulRazaq’s uncommon achievements can be gauge through his political appointments, he’s already creating a niche for himself as the a Leader who truly understand the yearning of the people and truly reward for hard work and loyalty.
Although, Most Governors don’t consider Youths and Women worthy of being appointed into strategic political offices. While some politicians believe in the terminology of use and dump (neglecting supporters after electoral victory. It’s crystal clear that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is different. He understands the essence of running inclusive with appointment of youths and women into strategic positions.
During his first term as Governor, he appointed 26 year-old Miss Joana Nnazua Kolo as Commissioner for Youths and Sports. Kolo therefore becomes the youngest Commissioner in the history of Nigeria.The appointment attracted attention to Kwara State with alot of national and global organizations giving accolades to Governor Abdulrazaq.
His cabinet formation also gave women sense of belonging which the right move towards gender balance. This is evident when the Governor bagged a global award “UN’s ‘He-for-She’ award” 3 years ago his efforts and cabinet picks which have mainstreamed gender inclusion in the state’s political structure an award which was conferred on him by the then award was conferred on him by the then Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.
The Governor made this history when he appointed the most women-friendly cabinet on the African continent, an appointment that has at least 56.25 percent female permanent secretaries in the state with women dominating major ministeries and state agencies.
One would have known that the governor truly meant business when he assented to an Executive Bill mandating the state to have at least 35 percent of women appointees in the state executive council and other classes of political appointments. The law, titled “Political Offices (Gender Composition) Bill 2021,” was also arguably the first legislation of its kind in the country. The law places a ceiling below which the government cannot go in the appointment of either gender for public offices.
AbdulRazaq just a few months to office in his second term has also recorded 50% gender balance in his cabinet formation, his recently appointed Commissioners have 50% women and this has earned him a Lifetime award during the 7th Voice of Women (VOW) Conference and Awards in Abuja.
The Governor received a plaque specifically honouring his historic inclusion of unprecedentedly high number of women in key leadership positions, including having the highest number of women in cabinet in the history of Nigeria.
Even at that the Governor keeps bringing on board more youth to top portfolios, a new tradition different from the how it used to be in the State’s political history. AbdulRazaq is standing out from his peers in a manner that is unprecedented, He has demonstrated great love and interest in accelerating Nigeria’s compliance to gender action and giving voice to the voiceless especially youths.
The Governor is also not leaving the people with disability alone (PLWDs), he has given the opportunity to contribute their qouta to governance by availing the opportunity to be appointed into key political positions as well.
Governor AbdulRazaq is doing the very best towards the progress of the state by ensuring that power is shared equally, made visible and accountable, at all levels.
Initially, many would have thought that the governor was just making the appointments in his first term at office in order to secure a second term or for political gains but in shocking dimensions, AbdulRazaq just few months to his second after inauguration has appointed more Youths, PLWDs and Women than he has done in his first term and he’s not backing up any moment soon.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forumis indeed turning boys to men and giving hope to a common man through political appointments. Evidently no governor in the history of Kwara State and in the Nigeria has ever come close to this.
With AbdulRazaq’s style of Leadership, the hope of Kwara youths as ignited again, they now found a Leader they can call father and that will never sideline them in big moments.
As many may have thoughts before that politicians all have the use and dump syndrome, AbdulRazaq leadership style is reawakening the spirit of the common people that all politicians are not the same.
Just like how President Tinubu started years ago in building men, Governor AbdulRazaq is building more men and women in politics now.
His shares of 2nd term appointments again witnessed a 27 years old Usman Lade as a commissioner. This evidently saying that he’s passionate about the inclusiveness of youth and women in political participation. AbdulRazaq has also appointed young guys as Special Assistants in top portfolios, positions that before now are being made to be kept as political rewards for old people by some Leaders. AbdulRazaq is now breaking the barears consistently and constantly by appointing more and bringing in more young people on board different from the norms.
AbdulRazaq has made Kwara ranked high and a role model to other states, evidently Kwara state and AbdulRazaq’s style of Leadership deserves to be emulated by all and sundry.
His dream to make Kwara works for all through taking right decisions and bold steps while initiating visible & gigantic projects across strategic locations in the states is undoubted.
Thank you, your Excellency for giving young people, women and PLWDs the opportunity to participate and contribute to the progress of Kwara through appointing them into key positions and important roles.
Saeed Tijjani is the Publisher of 9japarrot. He writes from Oro, Irepodun local government.