INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW WITH NASARAWA STATE FIRST LADY

Her Excellency, Hajia Salamatu Tanko Almakura is the first lady of Nasarawa State that chooses to remain in the forefront to supporting the laudable objectives of her husband in his struggles to put smiles on faces of the people through the provision of their basic requirements as part of the 2011 mandate he enjoys. Her efforts have so far impacted positively on several lives most especially those of the women folk. Despite her busy schedule, she squeezed few minutes of her time to attend to questions from Tozali Magazine on her efforts to transforming the hitherto rural state to an Eldorado.

Q: 2011 victory of your husband

Her Excellency:  His victory was a divine intervention from the Almighty Allah and an answer to persistent prayers of the people for better leadership. My husband was moved by the patriotism in him to contest the gubernatorial despite glaring odds including power of incumbency and party platform. He contested on the platform of the defunct CPC then a new party. The other contributing factor that played prominently is his reputation as a straight forward, detribalized and sincere politician with the required experience and expertise. He maintained his posture to victory. The victory of my husband is dedicated to the peace loving people of Nasarawa State.

Q: Relationship between the executive and the legislature

Her Excellency: From my understanding of the situation, there is no love lost to give sleepless nights. It is normal to have some misunderstandings from time to time in view of the fact that opposition party has the majority in the State House of Assembly. Politically, my husband has no grudge against the legislature since we are in a democracy but he expects the Honorable House extend the usual hand of cooperation and understand his predicaments to support the actualization of his blue-print for the interest of the State. My husband is the listening type, who understands situations with ease as his doors remain opened to accept and implement cogent advices for public interest. The State House of Assembly should not allow itself to be blindfolded by mere opposition as mischief makers may wish. Unnecessary opposition spiced with greed may eventually derail the democracy and service delivery to the people. What my husband expects from the Honorable House is their cooperation to the ideals of good government. But the situation is no bad as speculated by the rumor mill.

Q: Experience as a first lady

Her Excellency: Well, it is an extension of responsibility to the people and support to the laudable objectives of the government of the day. The office is demanding but with determination and courage, we are able to be where we are. All praises be to the Almighty Allah for the wonderful support. We are grateful to the people of Nasarawa State for their understanding and support. But the task is not easy as assumed by the majority. Some see the office of the first lady as a fancy or a draining pipe of public resources which is not correct. The office has no budgetary allocation from the State Government but managed from the efforts of the occupant. Source of funding is the major problem hampering execution of most projects but we are doing our best to put smiles of many faces.

Q: Achievements recorded so far

Her Excellency: It is too early for me to beat my chest to give an account of my achievements. I expect beneficiaries of my efforts to say it the way it is. But as an answer to your question, my project has so far contributed positively in the health sector covering; intervention in spread and control of HIV/AIDS, support to people living with HIV/AIDS, counseling service to HIV/AIDS patients,  provision of drugs, dressings and equipments to hospitals, dispensaries and clinics throughout the State. We were able to provide medical aid team for various technical surgeries to patients as well as settling several medical bills incurred by patients in disadvantaged positions.

Not only that, several hospitals and rural dispensaries were renovated and repositioned for effective service as indignant students with required qualifications were sponsored to further their education in specific disciplines. Several placements were secured for brilliant students in tertiary institutions to further their educational pursuits while girl-education has been receiving our attention throughout the State.

My project also takes care of the needs of the less privileged and the needy including those suffering with various degrees of disability. Children of the less privileged are sponsored to conventional schools and provided their requirements for conducive learning to compete favorably with children of the privilege class.

Foodstuff and clothing are regularly supplied to those in distress situations most especially the unfortunate victims of several ethno-religious and communal clashes. Apart from donating relief materials, we visit the unfortunate victims for counseling and rekindling their hopes for a brighter and more promising future. We always preach love and forgiveness for a united society.

The womenfolk are not left behind as they have received various interventions geared to economic empowerment and self-reliance. Gone were the days women depend on their husbands for every need. We have carried our several economic empowerment initiatives including sponsorship of skills acquisition, training and retraining the trainer etc. We support graduates with required tools and token amount to establish.

While his Excellency is doing his own struggles to improve the living standard of the people with prudence, as the first lady of the State, I’m breaking grounds to support his efforts for a better society.

We sponsor peace meetings, preach love and encourage good neighborliness. We preach peace and educate the people of the need to understand one another for a better society. We strive to create awareness for peaceful co-existence and treat every resident of the State on equal basis. In Nasarawa State, we abhor any difference no matter what. We are all one from the same source of creation despite imaginary differences. We are doing our best within our resources to support the efforts of the State Governor to fruition.

Q: Chances of Almakura’s re-election

Her Excellency: Almakura has neither an equal nor serious contender for the contest. His records of achievements are clear to support his aspiration to victory. His administration has performed creditably to support him to victory. Almakura has an edge over any other contestant based on his record of service delivery. To be honest with you, Almakura is not thinking of any clog in the wheel of his return unless if the people are not interested in development but resource sharing. His Excellency will be the last person even under threat to share resources for jobs not executed through due process. He is prudent and very careful in managing public fund entrusted in his care. If some people nurse any grudge against the return of Almakura to Lafia Government House, they are not being sincere to the entire State because he has acquitted himself. He has served with commitment and transformed the State from state of disrepair. Nasarawa State is wearing a new look and it shall continue to be transformed by Almakura until after his second term. Politics is all about service and Almakura is a champion in service delivery. But if people expect His Excellency to be corrupt to loot the treasury for personal interest, they are damn wrong. In fact, Almakura has all these years flushed out those with itchy fingers from his administration. He has no room for corrupt practices and other related crimes. Resources belonging to Nasarawa are meant for the development of people not for the pockets of a selected few. Therefore, with all sense of concern, His Excellency is the most ideal person for now to govern Nasarawa State.

He is qualified by all standards and blessed with the pre-requisite qualifications required of a leader. He is focused, determined, courageous and prudent and not because of his position as my husband but based on reality as can be testified by the majority.
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