Whereas much seem to be ado in repositioning political leadership of Igala land and Nigeria in general, Ojoku and Enjema of Ankpa local government area of Kogi state is obviously ahead as a result of a youthfully redefined leadership in the area through an able and capable representation by a selfless servant, an astute politician, embodiment of community development, a grassroots man, workaholic honorable and capably competent son of the soil, in person of Hon Alfa Mommoh Rabiu Isiaka.
His tenure thus far has not only made a turn around from the bad old ways but has set a delectable standard for later successors to live up to. Not just a standard but a grade level which requires true service to attain and if you ask me, such uncommon innovation are the ideal traits of a pragmatic leader characterised with excellence.
For record purposes, in assessing the stewardship of a legislator, several parameters cannot be completely overlooked and these parameters include; the needs of the people, area map size and population, constituency allowance, wherewithal of the executives and most interestingly policy implementation potentials of the government of the day. It is only by bearing this in mind that one can actually make a fair judgement.
On the other hand, the hallmark for performance in this part of the world is majorly two… How much invested in human (human development) and physical infrastructure(constituency development). Of course, the young but ebbullient honorable have not only performed well in this regards but has set a record high as never experienced by the Ojoku and Enjema people in all the previous dispensations. His leadership style is so fashioned to the aspirations of the people that even his opposition will have no weight to stand on in criticism as his egalitarianism is unprecedented.
While his strides in the period under review are too numerous to mention, worthy of mention are;
-His routined weekly home visitation for feeler gather and assessment of his people’s needs during which it has become norm for him,
-Welfafe and stomach infrastructure via offsetting of utility bills cash donations and distribution of token to as many that comes his way,
-Regular payment of exam fee for exam class students across the eight wards of Ankpa 2 constituency without preference,
-Frequent visitation of the sick and health challenged person during which he offset medical bills, interact and render such beneficiaries a sense of pacification,
-Prompt response to all invitations without classification of the host except for few instances of class when he settles for the earliest or obviously more pressing invitations.
His vibrancy at the hallowed chambers of the Kogi state house of assembly can also not be overlooked as he has moved several motions of public importance among which are his call on governments attention to the bad state of Emere-Odagba-Enabo-Ofugo-Abejukolo road, he also after a motion and adoption of his call on the house to the menace erosion has ravaged Olufofo community of Enjema ward 2 with, led a state SDGs delegation to the site of the erosion and the SA on SDGs promised it will be captured for action. In addition to the dividends he is drawing to his people, he has held sway as chairman of the house committee on Environment before his recent selection as chairman, house committee on SDGs. All these are within the space of two years at the house of assembly.
In addition to the foregoing, his democratic ethics and all inclusive style of leadership became manifest to all upon receiving his constituency allowance in mid 2016. During this period, he convened a well publicised town hall meeting which had in attendance people from the eight wards of Ankpa 2 constituency and he opened the floor for negotiations on what to do with the money he received. After wide consultations, agreement was reached as follows;
-Enjema Ward 1: Construction of bore hole at Enjema
-Enjema Ward 2: Building of Open market shops at Ofugo
-Enjema Ward 3: Renovation of class room blocks at Inye
-Enjema Ward 4: Renovation of primary school blocks at LGEA Anyitata. And for Ojoku wards;
-Ojoku Ward 1: Building of Open Market shop at central market Ojoku agbodo
-Ojoku Ward 2: Fencing and erosion control at Okaba Primary school
-Ojoku Ward 3: Building of Open market shops at Inyologu and
-Ojoku Ward 4: Building of open market shops at Ukwo doko market.
It is worthy to note that these communities all set up committee by themselves on what they needed with proposals before the distinguished honorable disbursed the money accordingly. Futuremore, he aside these projects constructed borehole at Enabo, has been financially resolving series of communal disputes, empowered over a hundred youths and women into entrepreneurship and skill aquisation programs during his one year in office and has been equally offering secret services to both God and humanity without blowing his own trumpet. By so doing, he is perfecting the word of Media Nelson Mandela which says “carve your name on hearts not on marbles”.
At this juncture, I want to state that while many people, especially the political class engage in development only by verbal professes, Hon Alfa Mommoh Rabiu has stood out to make a difference by living an unassuming life of benevolence, compassion, free will, astute dedication to qualitative representation and unrivaled commitment to communities/youths/societal development. What seem to be most amazing about this reputable honorable is his equaled regards for all concern and no doubt posterity shall be kind to his chronicles.
Finally, history shall always remember people by the legacies they leave behind and I want to use this medium in calling on all within the strictures of governance and Nigeria in general to emulate the outstanding services of Hon Alfa Mommoh Rabiu even as I make a passionate appeal that he maintains his standard. In the end, our remembrance shall be anchored on only the good and bad deeds left behind in our record books.
Written by Comrade A. M. Nasir
naadejohs@gmail.com
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