In developed countries of the world, succession is a serious course that leaders hold in high esteem because when good leadership is not followed by another for the purpose of sustenance, there may be retrogression in all aspects of governance. Succession planning is a strategy for passing on leadership roles; it’s also known as replacement planning which ensures that the businesses of governance continue to run smoothly after a good leader moves on to retire democratically.
As time creeps into 2023 and many Nigerians anxiously await a new era of leadership to build on the gains of democracy to take the people to the expected destination in line with the long standing wish of our founding fathers, many political stakeholders have reignited the search for a leader, who understands the problems of the country and he or she is capable of leading the country beyond its present challenges from 2023. In recent times, many observers of good governance had done their checks based on the statistics of performance of political leaders while in office in any capacity and the pendulum of good leadership has swung towards a two time governor of Bauchi State, Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu; a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Birmingham.
As an expert in construction economics and a property manager, Dr Mu’azu has the skills to manage the affairs of the country as his passion for the welfare of his people during his time as two-time Governor of Bauchi State has continued to earn him avalanche respect and popularity amongst Nigerians and the world. It was the achievements of Dr. Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu that made General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), a former military president of the country to declare: “From 1999, to date, Bauchi State has come a long way; it is one of the few states in the federation that has witnessed rapid transformation.”
John C. Maxwell once said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” From the achievements of Dr. Mu’azu, one does not need a soothsayer to tell Nigerians that in Dr. Mu’azu lies a round peg in a round hole. His eight years of political journey as the Governor of Bauchi State from 1999 to 2007 brought rains of achievements to the state; as his administration purposely empowered women while providing free tuition to female students as well as the provision of micro credit loans and ensuring equality in employment opportunity. Over time, many have argued that we are yet to have compassionate leaders with the heart to empower women and vulnerable people in the society as doing that will prepare the ground for the relocation of poverty from the country bearing in mind that women form the majority of the people that are most vulnerable to poverty.
Dr. Mu’azu has the democratic DNA to give Nigerians the needed good governance from 2023 as we yearn for leadership that will bring the honey out of the resources of our country to sweeten the lives of the average common man from the remotest parts of the country irrespective of geographical spread, ethnicity, religion and tongue. As a successful businessman, he has the ability to innovate and adapt to changing dynamics of global economy to give Nigeria the much desired economic prosperity to diversify and direct foreign investments into the country that will herald a new landscape of business to attract democratic profits for the benefit of the people.
One of the biggest challenges that have almost become a case of hopelessness as far as many Nigerians are concerned is the dire need to diversify the economy of the country from oil. Interestingly in 2002, the administration of Dr. Mu’azu created the Ministry of Tourism and Culture while also developing the Bauchi State tourism master plan. It is an open secret that Tourism in recent times, remains a key driver of many countries national economy and contributes to job creation. The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economies of South Africa, Tunisia and Kenya and has provided thousands of employment to their citizens. With such a dynamic leader as Dr. Mu’azu at the helm of affairs, tourism and culture which are crude areas yet to be tapped can contribute a lot to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) aside shooting down the huge statistics of unemployment in Nigeria.
Available record has it that from 1999 to 2007, the administration of Dr. Mu’azu constructed to international standard with double coat surface dressing and asphalt, over 1000km of intra-state roads, over 230km of urban township roads and 69km of feeder roads. At a time like this when the country needs more road infrastructure, a leader of proven track record in road revolution like Dr. Mu’azu is of high demand, hence the call for him to take the political totem of leadership for a revolution in road infrastructure that will help link rural areas to urban centres which will help boost agricultural and economic activities in the country.
If the statement of an Austrian-born American Author, Peter F. Drucker that leadership is an achievement of trust, is anything to ponder on, then it is time for Nigerians to have a leader like Dr. Mu’azu who could be trusted based on what he has achieved and not based on promises which we may hear from others as the political water gets coloured with activities prior to 2023 elections. With the kind of leadership charisma that Dr. Mu’azu possesses in view of his track records as a two time governor of Bauchi State, Nigeria’s hope of good governance would be fertilized if he is given due consideration to lead the country as he will inspire young minds with opportunities that will help them to bring their wealth of experiences for collective development of the country.
As the searchlight for a leader that will redefine our contours of development and initiate policies and programmes that will put Nigeria on the map of countries is getting meaningful impacts, Nigeria must look for a leader which we have in Dr. Mu’azu to take us to the promise land in line with the vision of our founding fathers. It is high time we added value to governance by ensuring that the sacrifices of our founding fathers are never in vain.
One of the time-worn narratives that Nigeria as a country has had to grapple with is the need to address the unemployment challenges in spite of the huge potentials in resources available to propel Nigeria to greatness in terms of creating the right environment conducive for youths to effectively contribute to the development of the country. As we go into 2023 and the political calculations get more attention, we must rethink the essence of leadership putting national interest ahead of political interests by canvassing for a credible and sincere leadership like that of Dr. Mu’azu that will help maximize our resources for the good of mankind.
