Awo’s ideology will guide me as gov - Yuguda

By Tope Abiola - 12.02.2008

BAUCHI State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda on Monday promised to keep the policies and political ideology of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, alive in his bid to develop the socio-economic and political status of his state.

Yuguda, who paid a visit to the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo, at her Ikenne home, Ogun State, said Chief Awolowo’s role in the development of the country would never be forgotten by Nigerians, adding that “our father has fought for democracy and it has come to stay.”

The governor, who was accompanied by his Special Adviser (Media), Alhaji Rilwanu Sheu; Senior Special Assistant (Personnel), Samaila Adamu; Special Adviser (Information), Muktar Magas; Director of Protocol, Babani Umar and his personal physician, Dr. A. Abdulizeez, also said that the advisory role of the Yeye Oodua to political leaders in Nigeria was appreciated.

He urged Mrs Awolowo not to relent in making the dreams of the sage a reality through her counsel to political leaders in the country. While promising to keep to the political ideology of the sage, the governor stated that he would ensure that the resources in his state were used judiciously to improve the standard of living of the inhabitants of the state.

According to him, “we inherited a lot of problems, but I promise to do my best by creating employment opportunities for youths in the state, enhance qualitative education, good health services, roads and other facilities that would improve the welfare of the people of the state.”

On this note, Governor Yuguda said the blessing of Chief (Mrs) Awolowo was necessary to help him to succeed. “I deem it necessary to come here to pay you homage and receive your blessing. Your blessing is very important to me, so that I can succeed in my bid to develop the state. Your prayer will go a long way towards making me succeed. You should pray for me now and remember me in your daily prayers,” he said.

While responding, Chief (Mrs) Awolowo thanked the governor for considering it necessary to pay a visit to the Awolowo family house and to receive a blessing from her, saying “I feel highly honoured to receive you. I had not met you before, but I had been reading about you and I pray that God will continue to bless you, enrich you with more wisdom and understanding in all your aspirations. He will guide you to succeed and bring life to the people of the state.”

Also, during his visit to the corporate headquarters of the Tribune titles in Ibadan, Governor Yuguda stated that he was not bothered whether the immunity clause was removed in the constitution or not, but was ready to make a positive impact on the lives of people of the state through his people-oriented programmes.

According to him, “I will do my job, even without immunity clause. I operate with my conscience, which is very clear. I am not bothered about the immunity clause, anybody who is guilty should be penalised. My focus is to transform the state with clean hands.”

Speaking on his achievements in his few months in office as the governor of the state, Mallam Yuguda said over 20,000 youths had been employed while a series of poverty alleviation programmes had been embarked upon.

On hand to receive the governor was the top management team of the Nigerian Tribune, led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Segun Olatunji.