“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell
Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, the amiable and charismatic Governor of Sokoto State has, without any iota of doubt, distinguished himself as a visionary leader, who through transformative policies built around his Nine-Point Smart Agenda, has profoundly changed the sad story of his state in less than two years. It is interesting that Governor Sokoto has succeeded in capturing the imagination of not just the good people of Sokoto State, where he superintends as the 20th governor, but that of many Nigerians, by putting up a superlative performance driven by a burning fire within him to make a huge difference in the lives of the people.
Though the welfare and security of the people is the very purpose of government, many a time, the missing link is the lack of that burning fire to deliver in some leaders that is largely responsible for their failure. Which is why the point needs be emphasised that the spectacular story of over 180 impactful projects successfully completed under two years by Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto is a combination of several factors – the clear understanding by the governor that he can’t afford to disappoint himself, or his father and leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and his conscious awareness that history would judge him cruelly if he fails. Of course, there is also the awareness of the fact that his administration would always be the focus of attention of not just the mass media, but of the Muslim ummah who see the Sultan of Sokoto as their spiritual leader, and pay keen attention to developments in the state. Lastly, for Governor Sokoto, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) matters to the extent that they keep him continuously focused on doing things right and posting visible results.
