It is established that in every clime, generation, and all facets of life, there are a silent few who have toed the line of honour and distinguished themselves in bringing succour to the disadvantaged and vulnerable segment of the society, irrespective of their religion or ethnic affinity.
Indeed, besides rekindling hope to despondent and downtrodden people in the society, they go the extra mile to become a source of inspiration to the younger generation by traversing all walks of life in achieving an extraordinary feat in various fields of human endeavours.
History is sure to be kind to such public-spirited individuals and their names will be written in a gold. Late Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna) is one name which still resonates in the minds of Nigerians as an emblem of humanity and transparency in leadership. In Nigeria, and even across the world, including Europe and America, whenever the name Sardauna is mentioned, what will resonate in people’s minds is the late Premier of Northern Nigeria.
Historically, the late Sardauna of Sokoto was one of the most celebrated, trustworthy, and incorruptible post-independence politicians whose legacy is virtually second to none in the annals of the nation’s politics. His real name is Ahmadu Bello while Sardauna is his traditional title which is one of the major titles given mostly to only the royal kinfolks and distinguished personalities.
Today, Sardauna’s name is synonymous with purposeful governance and sincere leadership. He has successfully written his name in gold in Nigeria’s sands of history and whenever and wherever his name is mentioned, what comes up is a deluge of accolades and praises.
In fact, if anyone desires to see where untainted and unpolluted bequest resides, mention the contributions of the late Sardauna to the development of the North and Nigeria as a whole.
It is as though the spirit is in the ‘title’ as more than five decades after his demise, here comes another highly-spirited individual who bears the same title of Sardauna, exhibiting in full measures, many of the attributes of the late Ahmadu Bello, especially in human capital development and socio-economic interventions particularly to the less-privileged and the downtrodden people in the society.
This is no other than Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, a proficient corporate magnate and political maestro with a full throttle of philanthropic energy. Who is the Sardauna of Gombe? Gwamna is a man who, through his engagements, demonstrates a high sense of leadership and concern for the development of his state and its diverse populace. Those he crosses path with in the course of his work and political sojourn also taste his magnanimous shrug. Of course, genuine concern, straightforwardness, resilience are some of the attributes that keep him soaring and accomplishing great feats amidst his contemporaries. In fact, his matchless qualities and unwavering capacity, endear him so much, not only to the Gombe people, but to all those who are opportune to know him or relate with him at any level.
It is not in any way surprising to those who discern the qualities possessed by Dr. Gwamna. His track record and unblemished antecedents when he was turbaned as the Sardaunan Gombe left no one in doubt that he is eminently worthy of such recognition. It was a case of a square peg in a square hole. The title is only for those who contributed excellently to the development of humanity, and demonstrated unmatched qualities that are worthy of emulation. Sardaunan Gombe has startling and enviable academic records obtained both here in Nigeria and overseas. He holds a B.Sc. in Accounting, M.Sc. in Business Economics and Finance and PhD. in Economics. His career and business engagements started at the Nigerian Bank of Commerce and Industry in Abeokuta, before he got employed by the Kaduna Aluminum Company where he rose to the position of group chief accountant through dint of hard work.
Jamil Gwamna, as consummate go-getter, later set up his own private business, Amstrade Ventures Limited in Kaduna, which deals in importation and sales of earth-moving equipment. Sardauna, while growing like a well germinated tree, is today the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, KEDCO, and he is the visible brain behind the successes recorded by the company and the development of the power sector in Nigeria.
In his efforts to grab a better opportunity to further consolidate in improving the lives of his people, he joined politics in 1999. His sojourn into the murky waters of politics was during the late Governor Abubakar Hashidu administration in Gombe; he was appointed the Executive Chairman of the Gombe Water Board and as expected of him, he successfully changed the face of the board and unprecedentedly employed capable sons and daughters of the state.
Impressed by his astuteness, Dr. Gwamna was unanimously called by the progressive citizens of Gombe state to contest the governorshipseat in the state on the platform of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007. He gave a good and commendable outing but was not successful as Allah (SWT) may have it.
Determined, he aspired again in 2019 but lost controversially in the PDP primaries as many believed that the manipulation and scheming that resulted in his defeat, was what caused the party and the then government to lose the entire elections in the state. The popular belief remains that it was only Gwamna who could have led the party to victory.
This is based on the fact that like the late Sardaunan Sokoto, Dr. Jamilu Gwamna (Sardaunan Gombe) has over the years provided job opportunities to thousands of youths in the state, more than any other person in the state. He enrolled less-privileged sons and daughters of the state in many schools here and abroad and placed them under scholarships without any media hype.
Recently, he sponsored 10 secondary school leavers to various universities at far away Morocco and he has another set of 30 students studying at Yamusa Science Academy, Kebbi. Interestingly, Sardauna hardly comments on his human interventions and he rarely opens up to the public about his numerous achievements. This is what makes him a silent achiever.
He is a rare gem and is the kind of personality a society needs for rapid development and progress. It is on record that many have tried several times before they succeeded in actualising their dream. This is why we’ll never get tired of calling on him to take his rightful position of leadership. Gwamna has done with his hard-earned money what many governments failed to do. We are certain that when given position of leadership, he will do more.
According to Abraham Lincoln, “The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” Thus, let me reiterate my conviction that Sardaunan Gombe will be the next governor of Gombe state.
John writes from Gombe
