Special prayer holds today, in Ilorin
PDP, Baraje, Rafiu Ibrahim, Ali Ahmad, others extol former Senate President
By Mumini Abdulkareem
The immediate past president of the senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki will today (Thursday) mark his 57th birthday.
The event which is expected to be low-key will feature members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters, political associates, Kwara indigenes and people from all walks of life including stakeholders and well-wishers from across the country.
Towards this end, a Special Prayer will be held at the Sarakis residence located at Ilofa road, GRA, Ilorin today beginning from 7am.
The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu will coordinate the prayer as the Spiritual Father of the day.
The Kwara State chapter of the PDP, former governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Acting National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje and Senator Rafiu Ibrahim have all felicitated with Saraki on the auspicious occasion.
Others include former House of Representative member for Ilorin West/Asa and PDP gubernatorial aspirant for the 2015 election, Hon Razak Atunwa, Speaker of the 8th Kwara Legislature, Hon Ali Ahmad, PDP senatorial candidate and former member of House of Representatives, Hon Zarari Mohammed and former lawmaker for Ilorin South/East, Hon Amuda Kannike, among others.
This year’s occasion is believed to be symbolic being the first that Saraki would celebrate after the 2019 general election that the PDP lost at both state and federal levels.
According to the state chapter of the party last night in a statement that was signed by its Chairman, Engr. Rauf Kola Shittu, the party described Saraki as a great, courageous leader and strong pillar of democracy and rule of law and lauded him for the achievements recorded by the 8th Senate under his leadership.
The statement reads in part:
“As the President of the 8th Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki, against all odds, provided quality leadership at the parliament that culminated in the numerous accomplishments and achievements recorded by the Senate.
“Stemming from his courage and strong commitment to the principle of separation of powers, which is the cornerstone of any democratic setting, the former Senate President fought for the integrity and independence of the legislative arm of government, which did not go down well with the Executive.
“Dr Bukola Saraki ensured that the 8th Senate loyalty was to the Nigerian people and did not become a rubber stamp to the Executive. The Red chamber under the leadership of Saraki was people-focused and took legislative decisions that protected the interest of the Nigerian masses.
“The 8th Senate rejected executive proposals considered anti-masses. This, among other reasons led to the intimidation, persecution and harassment Dr Bukola Saraki faced in the hand of President Muhammadu Buhari-led executive.
“The Kwara PDP hails Dr Bukola Saraki’s resilience and uncompromising stance in the face of intimidation, impunity and high-handedness of the APC-led Federal Government. We also commend him for his outstanding leadership and contributions to nation building and his commitment to the peace, unity and progress of Kwara in particular and Nigeria in general.
“As the governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011, Dr Bukola Saraki provided visionary and effective leadership and laid the solid foundation for a modern Kwara through the many developmental projects and programmes his administration executed.
“Notable among the numerous projects and programmes he embarked upon are the Kwara State University (KWASU), the International Aviation College, Ilorin, the Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre, the remodeling of the Ilorin Township Stadium, Upgrading of Asa Dam Waterworks, Urban and Rural Electrification, rural and feeder road projects, Ilorin Metropolitan Street Lights Projects, Kwara Community Health Insurance Scheme, which was first of its kind in the country, among others.
“Also, as senator representing the good people of Kwara Central senatorial district, Dr Bukola Saraki between 2011 and 2019, the period during which he became the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki used his office and goodwill to attract several projects and interventions in different sectors to his constituency, while also facilitating jobs and opportunities for youths; providing financial support for small business owners, artisans and market women through his Constituency Office.
“No doubt, the people of Kwara Central are missing the good works and quality representation Dr Bukola Saraki offered and the pivotal role he played as the first Kwaran to occupy such enviable political height since Nigeria returned to democratic rule over two decades ago.
“Dear Leader and benefactor of many, as you celebrate your 57th birthday anniversary today, we pray Almighty Allah bless you with longer life, sound health and wisdom to continue to serve your people and the nation at large. We love you and believe that your best years are still ahead.”
But according to the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Finance, Rafiu Ibrahim, Saraki has been dependable leader who and a rare gem with uncommon leadership qualities in the country.
Rafiu, a former banker attested to Saraki’s resilience and believe in God in all situations that he finds himself.
“I would describe him as a friend, brother and a very dependable leader who I have experience in different situation. I have observed him having a trophy, during “war”, when he was being humiliated and defeated now and also in family situation.
“In all of these, I have gauge him very well and all what I have seen is his resilience and his believe in God, in the truth and love for fellow human beings. Whether in politics or out of politics, Saraki remains a friend and brother and he would always tell me that I can call him a dependable ally. I believe Saraki is a rare gem in Nigeria and God has given him opportunity of what he has at the national level leading the 8th senate which is still the best today. We wish the 9th senate well but we can be able to judge today that Saraki led the best senate since 1999.
“I have learnt a lot from him in politics, personal life, investment and business dealings and I am always proud of him. I don’t think I am total without him because he has contributed so much to my live. I pray the almighty God continue to protect him and his family and make his offspring greater than him”, Ibrahim noted.
According to Baraje, Saraki “is my leader, political mentor and he will continue to be. He is a friend and brother and I wish him well in all his endeavours,” he added that the anniversary is a celebration of life.
On his part, the former speaker, Dr Ahmad described Saraki as an exemplary and selfless leader with an uncommon passion to serve and develop his community. He said Saraki with his God-given wisdom, knowledge and talent has what it takes to make the difference wherever he finds himself. He prayed Almighty Allah continue to guide and protect him in his drive to add value to his immediate community and humanity in general.
For Hon Kannike, Saraki “has left unforgettable landmarks in Kwara State and any objective person will know this. He changed the face of governance and was able to bring in Kwarans who are technocrats across all spheres of lives to come and contribute to governance under him which was structured, organised and well driven, and even till tomorrow, it’s a benchmark to other people on a scale of delivery in their state.
“He is a very thorough person and doesn’t like mediocrity. Saraki believe very strongly in excellence. He brought a lot of flavor into the senate and drove his senate presidency with passion and delivering the targets on bills and motions. He also made sure that the seat of the Senate President touches the average Nigerian which he demonstrated by visiting Maiduguri in the Northeast among other places unlike his predecessor who operated between the confines of the office.
“He is mentor to a lot of young ones and I wish him the best in the future. No matter what anybody says, any student of history will see the fact that he was an added value and I wish him many more years in good health and he has opportunity to continue to add value to his immediate and extended community”, he noted.
