The challenge of leadership, in a socio-political milieu such as ours, consists in the ability of a leader to cast a transformative vision; to spark hope in the ordinary people; and to mobilize his people behind worthy and substantive causes for the good of all. A leader therefore, must not only be capable of seizing the moment, he must be prepared at all times to utilize same to change his society for the better, and define its future development.

Such a leader is found in the person of the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji (Dr.) Aliyu Akwe Doma, OON, Madauchin Doma. Akwe Doma is a visionary leader whose transformative impact in his three-year old administration in Nasarawa State has been nothing short of extra-ordinary and breathtaking.

Within the framework of his administration’s 13-Point Agenda, he has put in place a developmental plan of action which aims to change and transform the socio-economic platform of Nasarawa State. Components of the Agenda include – education, agriculture, rural development, health, security, economic empowerment and civil service reorganization. Others are tourism, urban development, solid mineral exploitation, housing, cultural re-orientation and industrialization.

In recognition of his courageous leadership style, personal integrity and focused implementation of the 13-point agenda, the publishers of the “Sardauna Magazine” honoured Governor Doma on Sunday, the 18th day of July, 2010, with the award of “Governor of the Year (North Central Zone) at the 4th edition of the Annual Sardauna National Excellence and Leadership Awards. In the words of the organizers, the award was in recognition of his “giant strides, purposeful leadership, integrity, efficient service delivery, job creation and continuous growth despite the huge challenges in the economy”.

In the area of Agriculture, Governor Doma’s administration has scored high. The flag ship of his programmes is the Bada Koshi agricultural scheme, an initiative intended to revitalize and upgrade agricultural production towards the attainment of food sufficiency, food security, as well as, employment opportunities and wealth generation. In this connection, Governor Doma has provided a N1billion revolving agricultural loan to deserving farmers in the State in addition to 300 tractors and over one million bags of fertilizers sold at highly subsidized rates. The State has also commenced the exportation of its Yams to the United Kingdom and other European markets.

In the area of integrated rural development, Governor Doma has constructed 17 different roads spread across the State to open up the State for mobility of goods and services and to accelerate socio-economic development.

In the education sector, Governor Doma has spent over N20billion in the rehabilitation and upgrading of school infrastructure and provision instructional materials. He has recruited over 8000 school teachers and implemented the new Teachers Salary Scheme and the new salary structures in tertiary and allied institutions.

Healthcare delivery has witnessed monumental progress under Governor Doma. The Administration has rehabilitated and upgraded 150 multipurpose primary healthcare centres across the State, equipped with water and power supply components as well as appropriate medical and surgical equipment and facilities. It is not surprising therefore that Governor Doma received an award of excellence and commendation from the United Nations Office of the MDG’s. The State has since embarked on rehabilitation of all general hospitals while Doctors in the State payroll are currently among the best paid in the country.

In the area of job creation and skills acquisition, 4 Skills Acquisition Centres has been established with an initial intake of 2000 participants. Not less than 40 trades are offered at these Centres which are equipped to international standards. On graduation, the products of these centres will be supported with take-off capital to enable them commence small scale- enterprises in the state.

Taking liberty of the State’s proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, and in keeping with his housing development policy, Governor Doma has given priority attention to real estate development in the State. In partnership with Sharp Little City Limited and the Federal Housing Authority, an estate of over 11,450 housing units is being developed at Auta-Balefi. In addition, arrangements are being concluded for the construction of another 6000 unit joint housing estate in Karu area in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

What Governor Doma has been able to demonstrate, and which is the essence of the Sardauna National Excellence and Leadership Award, is simply that with good leadership, change and progress are possible. This award, as are many before it, is no doubt a validation of the objective reality of Governor Doma’s achievements and a crowning glory to the three years of excellence and good leadership in the service of the people of Nasarawa State.

This commentary was written by Ibrahim Addra, Director of Media and Publicity to the Governor of Nasarawa State