One cannot celebrate Sule Lamido without celebrating democracy – Lamido has spent the greater part of his life defending and working for free society.
Congratulations Sule Lamido, as you clock 72 years. We thank God Almighty for making you a true democrat; reliable politician and one with wisdom and sparing your life to witness your 72nd birthday in good health and sound mind despite all odds.
As mentioned earlier – one cannot celebrate Sule Lamido without celebrating democracy. Sule Lamido was the National Youth Leader of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in 1978, legislator (Rep) in 1979, National Secretary of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1992, foreign Affairs minister 1999-2003 and Jigawa State governor 2007-2015.
One thing remains obvious about this genuine politician and a great leader till today and that is the character, competence and quality of being brave, courageous and wise in determining the better future, people’s well-being, selfless service to humanity and making world of difference to hundreds of thousands if not millions.
Lamido’s noble, fruitful and wise idea of struggle and actualisation of true democracy, especially in the 4th republic, SDP era, when he was the national secretary of the party that gave birth to the success of late Chief MKO Abiola to be Nigeria’s elected democratic president, and precisely in the 5th republic 1999 in which he was among the nine (9) founding members and the last man standing (in the corridors of politics and still in PDP).
Among the nine of them, six are late – Chief Bola Ige, Alh. Abubakar Rimi, Chief Solomon Lar, Malam Adamu Ciroma, Chief Alex Ekwueme and Francis Ellah. Prof Jerry Gana and Iyorchia Ayu are still alive but not visible in PDP and the 9th of them – Sule Lamido is alive, vibrant, visible and very active in politics and the PDP despite all odds.
Sule Lamido has been in the corridors of Nigerian politics for over four decades. He has never been accused of bigotry, nepotism, tribal/religious/regional or sectional sentiments.
Lamido has witnessed political witch-hunt, intimidation, victimisation, humiliation, deprivation and oppression in the process of bringing back democracy and its values. He was jailed several times, especially during the military junta, because of his struggles for politics and true democratic rule.
Lamido will always be remembered for the struggles he undergoes, the hardships he encounters, the contributions he offers, the sacrifices he makes, the institutions he built and the achievements he made as a human being and as a politician who believes in representative democracy. Sule Lamido is a true Nigerian democrat, a reliable Nigerian politician and father of present Nigerian politics.
Sule Lamido supported a Hausa/Fulani man from North/West, Malam Aminu Kano of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in 1979 to be Nigeria’s president. He supported an Igbo man, from the South/East, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) in 1983 to be president. He supported MKO Abiola a Yoruba man from the South/West to be Nigeria’s president under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1993. Lamido also supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo also a Yoruba man from the South/West under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 and 2003 to be Nigeria’s president. Lamido also supported the late Yar’adua, a Hausa/Fulani man from North/West in 2007. He supported Jonathan, an Ijaw man from the South/South in 2011 and 2015. Lastly, he as well supported Atiku a Fulani man from Northeast in 2019 to be Nigeria’s president after he lost in the primaries.
As my birthday felicitation to my boss and leader, Dr. Sule Lamido (CON), I want to highlight some of his achievements and legacies he left behind in Jigawa State which included total educational reforms, excellent medical care delivery, employment/empowerment opportunities.
Agricultural production was also in place. Lamido facilitated the siting of the Federal University Dutse, and also established the state varsity, which was named after him – Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa
Lamido built a world class international airport in Dutse, the state capital; built an events centre in the state capital, Dutse, Malam Aminu Kano Triangle which just looks like the Eagle Square in Abuja. He facilitated and actualised an affiliated degree awarding certificate from Bayero University Kano in the state’s College of Education, Gumel.
The School for Gifted and Talented in Bamaina was established by Lamido which students (boys and girls) from across Nigeria seek admission into just like Barewa College Zaria in those days in order to give opportunity to Jigawa indigenes to interact with people from across the globe. New State Secretariat was built during his administration and is the best of its kind nationwide.
The Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital was renovated and equipped. The NYSC orientation camp and sport complex in Dutse was built during Sule Lamido’s administration which among the best all over Nigeria.
Good road networks linking the 27 LGAs of the state were constructed covering over 2000km by Lamido administration. The Dutse Modern Market was constructed by Lamido, and modern township roads in the 27 LG headquarters were also constructed.
There was free education for female indigenes from primary to tertiary institutions. The school of Nursing and Midwifery was situated at Birnin-Kudu town.
A monthly stipend (allowance) for people with disabilities was in place to halt or reduce begging on the streets across the state in which 100 disabled persons were selected from the 27 LGAs each initiated and put in place by Lamido.
Lamido built a brand new broadcasting house which houses both the TV and Radio station (JTV). There is also the Manpower Development Centre. In all the 27 LGAs, there is an official residence built for each of the chairmen and all the councillors
The 30 House of Assembly members have official residences built by Lamido in the state capital. Beautiful roundabout and ring roads in the state capital were constructed by Lamido. Beggars were off the streets in the state.
Official residences were also built in the state capital for the five emirs. A high court was built. The state Library was in place and equipped with books and other materials. A new INEC office was built by Lamido.
The 27 LG chairmen have official residence built by Lamido administration in the state capital, Dutse. Also thousands of houses were built to ease the accommodation challenges in the state.
Lamido provided good and lasting solution that stopped farmers/herdsmen’s clashes in the state.
There was prompt and regular payment of scholarship to all indigenes up to any level which saw Lamido conferred with an award of excellence. Haifuwa Lafiya (Safe delivery scheme) was implemented and yielded positive result.
Sule Lamido is an unmatched Nigerian politician at the moment. He has many associates around the globe. Your numerous political and national services for over four decades stand you taller than most. You are truly an inspiration, a hope for the hopeless, a help for the helpless and you have been a strong voice for the voiceless.
Sir, you have carved a niche for yourself in various aspects of life. In the political world you are a renowned brand and an icon. Your philanthropist gestures are also enormous. I am indeed proud of your giant and excellent accomplishments and contributions to politics and nation building
As a party leader, you have been a political tutor, a teacher of political values and integrity, etiquette, party supremacy and discipline.
Your perseverance, endurance, loyalty, patriotism, commitment, dedication, selflessness, general lifestyle and disdain for materialism also underscore you selfless leadership, passion and as role model in the course of your illustrious career as a politician, a true democrat and a selfless leader.
Your Excellency, once again happy birthday.
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.
