By Ahmad Kankarofi
“According to the words of Ronald Reagan, former president of the United States of America, “the greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.”
In Kano State, this is what is obtainable as it is no longer news that His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ’s administration in the state is like a house built on unity, peace, justice, fairness, equal distribution of our commonwealth and all-inclusiveness.
What is rather remarkable is replication of the above feats at the local government levels by the council bosses, in order to be at par with the state government’s avowal and commitment to ensure no part of the state is unfairly treated in the distribution of the state’s common patrimony.
The governor, whose sterling style of leadership has ensured security of lives and property of indigenes and residents of the state, has equally made Kano the envy of other states in the country, following his dedication to service and transformational leadership model in the state, which can be directly seen across the 44 LGAs in the state, as witnessed in the sterling qualities of the Kano Municipal Council Chairman, Hon Saleem Hashim Gwangwazo.
In Kano Municipal Council LGA for example, where Hon Saleem the incumbent Chairman of the Municipal Council epitomizes the scene as a meek, simple and easily accessible servant leader. Saleem’s administration has ensured, no part of the LGA is left out of it Sustainable and Accelerated developments.
Meanwhile, notably the Education is receiving an unprecedented attention with establishment of Alkantara Primary School, payment of NECO and JAMB fees to thousands of deserving students , sponsorship of Kano Municipal indigenes at School of Nursing & School of Health Technology as well as support to teachers and revival of Kano municipal students associations among several others .
So, why are the people not applauding and celebrating these uncommon feats?
In the past six months since his assumption in office , Hon Saleem Hashim Gwangwazo ’s government has been paying salaries without a backlog. At present, there is no single worker being owed either his salary or otherwise, following his Excellency’s directive that no government worker should be owed a dime as workers deserve their wages.
While there were unprepared interventions that went unreported while the Hon Saleem’s administration lasted in the past six months distribution of fertilers,seedlings and farm inputs to encouraging farming in the LGA.Others includes financial,medical and educational support for people living with disabilities ,campaign against drug abuse for the youth and seminar on environmental protection for ward heads, and community .
He has touched every aspect of living of his people. This is to show that half a year can be impactful when one is committed to service.13 solar powered boreholes were provided in all 13 wards of the local government area. Boreholes in schools and primary health care centers were repaired,Lungu Kal Kal was launched with Tudun Wuzirci Ward as part of the Kano Municipal Beautification Project.
In Health, the abandoned Emirs Palace Primary Health Center was upgraded to a standard hospital , Sharada Primary Health Center is ongoing general renovation and expansion of facilities,over 15 patients receive medical support from the Chairman and undergoes major surgeries running into millions.
This is simply because Hon Saleem Gwangwazo, a protege and thorough groomed Servant Leader, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf -led people oriented governance is not just a simple, intellectually-driven and humble leader of the local government council, but typifies and embodies what one can best describe as ‘a leader who leads his people from within’; so as to ensure their pulse and heartbeats are inculcated into government projects.
His style of leadership in the local council, which is a direct influence of His Excellency, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf ’s purposeful and responsive administration in the state has no doubt, endeared the council boss to everyone in the KMC LGA; thereby, ensuring and guaranteeing the present unity among the stakeholders of Kano Municipal LGA who have in the recent past, formed a united front; to ensure even development and speedy growth of the LGA.
However, the great and elated people of KMC are hopeful that by the end of his tenure ,Hon Saleem Hashim name will be written on the marbles of both history and posterity for men and women of good conscience to judge.
The secretariat of the local government is now wearing a new face. Hon Saleem Hashim Gwangwazo is busy giving the local government a facelift. Work is ongoing and uninterrupted across all critical sectors.
Hon. Saleem succeeded an administration faced with low revenue accrued to the local government council, his administration has proactively explored innovative solutions that have enhanced the revenue status of the local government council.
Kankarofi wrote in from Kano