By Michael Abimboye

Today January 10, 2025, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stands on the threshold of his 59th year on Mother Earth. This milestone calls for a reflection on a life dedicated to public service, governance, and an unflinching commitment to the betterment of society.

From his early days in politics to his current role as a distinguished member of the Nigerian Senate, Tambuwal’s journey has been marked by vision, pragmatism, and an unwavering resolve to impact lives positively.

The pivotal moment of Rt. Honourable Tambuwal’s career trajectory was his rich tenure as Speaker, House of Representatives (2011–2015) where he marshalled stability to the bicameral legislature despite pressure from the executive arm of government.

His tenure was marked by legislative achievements that strengthened Nigeria’s democratic institutions. His ability to navigate the complexities of national politics without compromising his principles solidified his reputation as a leader of integrity and foresight.

To appreciate Tambuwal’s present contributions is to revisit his transformative tenure as Governor of Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023. His administration then was a masterclass in purposeful governance, blending infrastructure development with social empowerment programs to create lasting impact.

Tambuwal’s education reforms during his time as governor were nothing short of groundbreaking. Recognizing that education is the bedrock of progress, his government invested heavily in constructing new schools, rehabilitating existing ones, and training teachers.

He launched initiatives to increase enrollment in primary and secondary schools, addressing systemic issues that had long plagued the state’s educational sector. His efforts led to a significant increase in literacy levels, particularly among rural communities, and his emphasis on girl-child education became a model for other northern states.

In the healthcare sector, Tambuwal’s administration prioritized access to quality care for all Sokoto residents. Under his leadership, the state witnessed the construction of state-of-the-art hospitals such as Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital as well as Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostics Center which was commissioned by former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in 2021. His government introduced community health programs to combat diseases, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, and extend medical services to underserved areas. These interventions not only improved healthcare outcomes but also instilled a culture of preventive care among residents.

Tambuwal’s inclusive governance style also earned him widespread admiration. He was a leader who listened to his people, sought their input, and involved them in decision-making processes.

Infrastructure development was another hallmark of Tambuwal’s governorship. His administration embarked on ambitious projects to modernize Sokoto’s road networks, ensuring rural and urban connectivity. Two new flyovers were constructed by Tambuwal amongst other bridges across the state.

In addition, the construction of strategic roads opened up previously inaccessible areas, boosting trade and enhancing the movement of goods and services. Similarly, his rural electrification initiatives brought light to remote communities, spurring economic activities and improving quality of life.

In the Senate, representing the good people of Sokoto South Senatorial District, Tambuwal brought his wealth of experience and statesmanship to bear on legislative duties. Having previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives, his understanding of the legislature’s pivotal role in national development is unmatched. Tambuwal’s recent contributions in the Senate underscore his commitment to bridging the gap between policy formulation and the needs of everyday Nigerians.

One of his notable achievements in the Senate has been his relentless push for improved federal investment in sectors critical to the growth of Sokoto State and the nation at large. Agriculture, a lifeline for Sokoto’s predominantly agrarian population, has been a key focus of his legislative advocacy. Tambuwal has championed initiatives to provide farmers access to modern tools, fertilisers, and financing mechanisms to boost productivity. His efforts extend to addressing climate change’s impact on farming communities, a challenge threatening livelihoods across the Sahel region.

His firm stance on national security has also defined Tambuwal’s tenure in the Senate. As Nigeria grapples with insecurity, he has remained a voice of reason, urging comprehensive reforms to bolster the nation’s security architecture. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that Sokoto State and the wider Northwest region receive adequate federal support to address banditry, kidnapping, and other security challenges. His legislative initiatives have often focused on fostering collaboration between federal and state authorities to create a safer environment.

Tambuwal’s legacy extends beyond his political achievements. He embodies the values of humility, empathy, and a deep sense of duty to his constituents. Whether as a legislator, governor, or senator, he has consistently placed the people at the centre of his governance philosophy. His life’s work is a testament to the power of visionary leadership and its impact on communities.

Tambuwal’s pan Nigeria outlook coupled with his DNA characterized by nationalism, patriotism and drive to impact humanity stands out in the firmament of leaders in Nigeria. This innate qualities stand him out in the quest to take Nigeria’s development to the zenith

Tambuwal is comfortable in any part of Nigeria. He spends his Christmas every year in Owerri, South East of Nigeria. He’s at home in Lagos, South West Nigeria, where he loves to savour the culinary delights of Amala and Ewedu. Take him to Osun, he’s home and dry practically with who-is-who in the state. That’s the hallmark of a pan Nigerian politician.

In a nutshell, the Matawallen Sokoto is not your run-of-the-mill politician, as he lends a listening and receptive ear to ideas, policies, perspectives and development. As he celebrates his 59th birthday on this day, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal remains a beacon of hope for Sokoto State and Nigeria as a whole.

His story inspires a new generation of leaders to prioritise service over self-interest, collaboration over division, and progress over stagnation.

Today, we honour a man whose life has been defined by service and sacrifice, who has always answered the call to serve with courage and commitment. Happy birthday, Your Excellency. May this new chapter in your journey be filled with even greater accomplishments, and may your legacy continue to inspire future generations.

Michael Abimboye, a political communications specialist writes from Lagos, Nigeria

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has been named 2024 Governor of the year in the health Sector by New Telegraph Newspaper, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The statement noted that the notice of award was contained in a letter addressed to the Governor and signed by Ayodele Aminu, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited, publishers of New Telegraph, Saturday Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph newspapers.

According to the letter, Governor Adeleke’s nomination was made as recommended by the Board of Editors and Panel of Judges of the Newspaper.

The letter reads, “We have followed closely your very impressive strides in the Health Sector since you assumed office as Governor of Osun State.

“In arriving at our decision, we specifically noted the following: Rehabilitation of 345 Health Centres in the 332 Wards in Osun State; Provision of potable water, new toilets and bathrooms, renovation and painting of buildings and electricity.

“The approach has taken medical services to the doorstep of the people.

“Introduction of Imole Surgical and Medical Outreach, under which the state government has conducted three medical outreaches in three locations in each of the three Senatorial districts in the last 12 months; Various surgical procedures, including cataract eye surgeries, were done on over 30,000 patients; Enrolled thousands of Osun Residents under Osun’ Health Insurance Scheme.

“These and many more earned Osun State the South-West Champion Award in Primary Healthcare (Universal Health Coverage) with a $500,000 cash award in December 2024.

“Given the foregoing, we are pleased to honour you with the above-mentioned award at the New Telegraph 2024 Awards Ceremony.”

The award ceremony is slated to hold later.

Recall that Governor Adeleke had won several other awards which include: Vanguard Newspaper Governor of the Year; 2024 Best Civil Service-Loving Governor in Nigeria Award by Nigeria Civil Service Union; The Boss Newspaper 2024, Governor of the Year; News Direct Newspaper 2024 Governor of the Year; 2024 NIPR Excellence Award and Nigeria Society of Engineers Excellence Award.

The crisis in the leadership of First Bank Holdings of Nigeria worsened on Wednesday, as a group of stakeholders called for the removal of its board chairman, Femi Otedola, and non-executive director, Mr. Julius B. Omodayo-Owotuga.

The group, therefore, called for an immediate Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in the next 21 days in line with section 215 (1) of CAMA.

The group shareholders alleged that FBN has not known peace since the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, influenced Otedola’s acquisition of a significant amount of shares that led to his emergence as Chairman of FBN Holdings in January 2024.

According to the shareholders, with Otedola as Chairman, his personal staff, Omodayo-Owotuga at the Holdco, and yet another personal staff at the bank, Otedola has seized full control of the bank and does as he pleases.

Thus, with the private placement of N360 billion shares, other shareholders fear he would clearly have absolute control, expressing fears of disregard for corporate governance principles.

“This is to enable him (Otedola) to take full control during the proposed N360 billion private placement. But some of the shareholders are saying instead of a private placement for shares of the bank, it should be by right issue or public offer,” a source who doubled as a stakeholder said anonymously.

However, it was further alleged that Otedola’s preference for private placement is seen as a ploy to gain control and run the financial institution as his private estate.

In the last months, FBN Holdings has been a subject of battle over who holds the single largest share of the institution.

The battle for the soul of FBH is between Otedola and Barbican Capital, which is affiliated with the Oba Otudeko-owned Honeywell Group.

First Bank Holdings, in its audited accounts for 2023, had put Otedola as the single largest shareholder with a 9.41 percent stake in the financial institution. Otedola, however, has recently increased his shareholding by massive acquisition of more shares. At the moment, his exact stake is unclear.

But data from the Central Securities Clearing System, CSCS, the widely accepted source for confirming share ownership, has Barbican Capital, which is affiliated with the Oba Otudeko-owned Honeywell Group, as the largest single shareholder with a 15.01 percent stake.

Records kept by the bank’s registrars, Meristem Registrars & Probate Services Ltd, also showed that Barbican Capital is the single largest shareholder with 5,386,397,202 shares (5.38 billion) as of May 23, 2024.

Consequently, Barbican Capital had sued FBN Holdings for wrongly stating its shareholding in its audited financial statement.

First Bank recently laid off about 100 senior staff members in a major organisational shakeup.

Reports had indicated that the bank’s top executives were asked to leave—as part of its corporate restructuring and repositioning plan for 2025—following the confirmation of Olusegun Alebiosu as FBN’s managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) in June last year.

There were also allegations that the exits were part of a concerted effort by Otedola to introduce new hands into several leadership positions in the bankm

Meanwhile, it is still unclear what the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would do in the wake of this CAMA-induced demand for an EGM called to remove Otedola and stop the private placement of the bank shares.

FBN has yet to issue any statement on the matter.