The essence of political participation by the people: individuals, groups and communities is to benefit from the attendant democratic dividends. Of course the above postulation can only be true in places where people are conscious of their rights and the leadership is equally conscientious in the discharge of its responsibilities as enshrined in the constitution.

The Kwara North Senatorial District hasn’t however been spared of the abysmal performance and dearth of leadership in the Nigerian political landscape since the return of democratic rule in 1999. From Kaiama to its neighboring Baruten all through Moro to Edu and Patigi LGAs, people of diverse backgrounds have been tested through nomination (elections) to represent the collective interests of the people of Northern Kwara but the efforts and hopes of those who seek genuine change have been dashed considering the uninspiring leadership and misrepresentation that have accompanied the periods under review.

And after many years of endless search for a purposeful leadership in democratic representation, entered a distinguished Pharmacist of international repute and pedigree; a Prince of Kaiama and a man of many firsts into the Kwara North political space; and he has never looked back since his election to represent its people at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.

Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar short for 3SU as many of his supporters now refers to him by all standards, prior to the 2019 was a greenhorn in the politics of Kwara North and by extension Kwara State but after successfully winning his senatorial contest in an election that could best be described as a tsunami which swept across Kwara, he immediately adjusted to the realities associated with the mandate he had pledged to advance its cause.

Based on the information at my disposal, upon inauguration into the 9th Senate, an event that was well attended by constituents from far and near in the nation’s capital Abuja – an indication of the people’s acceptance and overwhelming support for the new Sheriff in town, a list of five lawyers drawn from the five local governments of the senatorial district was released with an accompanying letter of scholarship to study for Master’s degrees at the National Institute of Democratic and Legislative Studies. The beneficiaries to a large extent were active players in the revolution that had just swept across Kwara, an encouraging piece of information that there is a template for reward for participation and would be, according to sources recruited as drafters on the ranks of the NIDLS; another plus for the senator. This was the first message of intent from 3SU to prioritize the interest of his people despite the multifaceted challenges facing the senatorial district.

Kwara North Senatorial District is by far the largest in the state by landmass and the least developed in terms of infrastructure or human capital development. This means that the senator from onset had his work cut out and would need more than just political clout and will to make genuine impact in a region where its people have been long subverted and neglected by especially its own people who were supposed to advance their cause and bring succor to the downtrodden through government intervention projects. He must have been well briefed and informed about the onerous and demanding task of putting Kwara North on the path of economic growth and development by making sure that federal government presence is genuinely felt by its people.

And true to his campaign promises, 3SU has achieved remarkable success in the areas of infrastructure as the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District over the last three years. He has been able to balance the nexus between politics and governance devoid of the perennial interference by political profiteers and retinue of sycophantic supporters who invariably slows down democratic governance.

The importance of CRITICAL infrastructure to the socio-economic growth and development of Kwara North cannot be overemphasized. Once we are able to fix the rot in infrastructure, many other things will naturally fall in place and this is why the senator deserves all commendations for giving topmost priority to building and bridging the wide infrastructural gap in the senatorial district. From the deplorable state of roads to dilapidated school infrastructure, moribund healthcare facilities and seasonal scarcity of water to epileptic power supply; the myriad of challenges facing the people of Kwara North are enormously cumbersome and could only have been surmounted through a proactive and pragmatic approach by a willing, capable and competent personality.

The people of Kwara North are predominantly farmers and have for many years had to contend with the challenge of transporting their farm produce to target markets within the district majorly because of the deplorable state of the roads across the senatorial district, leading to increase in the prices of goods and services because of the difficulty road users usually experience. Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar has indicated interest to reduce this seasonal scourge to the barest minimum by initiating through his constituency office the construction and reconstruction of rural roads while also complimenting the efforts of the AbdulRazaq led administration in the state.

3SU’s biggest achievement based on my personal assessment has to be in the health sector which may not be unconnected with his background in medical related discipline as a trained and accomplished health worker. Recall that the senator is a Pharmacist of international standing of proven pedigree which means his bias for an efficient and effective healthcare system for his people would naturally take precedence over other areas, understandably so. By this, the constituents will understand why he has done more to reposition the moribund healthcare facilities in the district while the people have more access to affordable healthcare services in conducive environments.

Access to quality and affordable healthcare has been a tall order for the people of Kwara North. Residents in rural communities usually have to go through harrowing experiences before they get to the nearest healthcare center where services on offer are invariably short of the required standards. But with Dan Amar Kaiama’s commitment to rewrite the history books and bring succor to the downtrodden, there are more than seventeen ‘functional’ Primary Healthcare Centers spread across Kwara North, courtesy of the senator’s unwavering commitment and determination to bequeath a healthcare delivery system that will address the needs of his people, a go-to place for all forms of illnesses that usually would’ve taken patients thousands of miles and kilometers before they could get help. Border communities in Baruten are potential beneficiaries of these interventions that will put an end to medical tourism to the neighboring Benin Republic.

Most of the Primary Healthcare Centers that now provide a wide range of healthcare services for the people were comprehensively renovated; supply of medical equipment and drugs with sinking of motorized boreholes so as to provide clean water are the topmost priorities in all of these centers. From Fey in Patigi through Okutanla and Pututa in Moro and Edu LGAs respectively, the people of these communities and adjoining settlements could now wake-up and easily walk into the facilities located in their various localities where they are assured of quality medical attention at affordable rates. A clear departure from our recent past.

The reconstructed PHCs at Takogabi and Pututa, both in Edu were abandoned while under construction for two decades until the senator captured the two for reconstruction. Similar tales of abandoned healthcare centers and dispensaries that are now back to life thanks to the visionary leadership of 3SU whose foresight and legislative participation which he takes seriously has put Kwara North on the map again; abound all across the district. Senator Sadiq’s exploits in three years has undoubtedly superseded the previous tenures since 1999, there is verifiable evidence of Kwara North getting its deserved attention. You can go and verify.

The senator has been strategic in his approach to issues bordering on the welfare of his constituents. Because he’s an expert and a major player in the healthcare sector, he hasn’t only facilitated the rehabilitation and refurbishment of primary healthcare centers across the senatorial district but has equally followed up with three different phases of free medical outreach for the people of Kwara North, ranging from free eye surgeries, free tests for common ailments such as hepatitis, malaria and sugar level (diabetes) with free distribution of drugs to patients to enhance early discovery and help patients recover from such illnesses. This is what is called responsible representation in the true sense of the word.

It’s been infrastructure and more infrastructure across the nooks and crannies of the senatorial district. The gains of the last three years cannot be swept under the carpet whatsoever, a quick vox populi on the streets of Lafiagi, Patigi, Bode Saadu, Kaiama and Kosubosu will reaffirm the assertion that the senator has done remarkably well by all standards for a first termer.

In the education sector, similar success stories are told all across the district. There is no denying the fact that Kwara North is an educationally disadvantaged district. Education is the most important thing that the people of the region need right now. Not just any type of education but access to quality and affordable education. This cannot be achieved without a dint of hard work and uncommon commitment by those in positions of authority.

Pretty aware of this wide gap, Senator Sadiq Umar on assumption of office made the need for his constituents to have access to affordable education a topmost priority given the dilapidated state of infrastructure in schools across the senatorial district. And because he is a talk and do personality, many new structures in primary school and secondary schools in Kwara North are courtesy of his vision to ensure that all children of school age are enrolled into school, consolidating the efforts of the state government towards repositioning the battered image of the education sector in the state. This has proven to have reduced the disturbing numbers of out of school children wandering the streets and posing threats to the peace of the society. The construction and reconstruction of a variety classrooms, water facilities, toilets, examining halls and most importantly, instructional materials is a deliberate action worthy of commendation as it has reawakened the hope and interest of the indigent whose social status wouldn’t have given them access to this education that is a right of every citizens. He has also during the years under review through the Sadiq Umar Foundation supported indigent but academically exceptional students to pay up their tuition fees in different levels of their educational pursuits to help them achieve their dreams, aspirations and fulfil their potentials in life.

If there is one area the senator has, in three years tried to leave an indelible footprints and has equally resonated with the electorate, then it should be the idea of reconstructing and asphalting township roads in major towns and communities in the North. The North is not and may not be an economically viable destination for agribusiness especially as its other two counterparts majorly because of lack of access roads but the efforts through his constituency office to open up the district by way of prioritizing construction of feeder roads connecting major settlements is smashing. This is another infrastructural consolidation initiative undertaken by Senator Sadiq Suleiman to compliment the efforts of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in road construction and rehabilitation across Kwara North, shows the duo are working in unison to institutionalized and bring good governance closer to the people in the grassroots. Erosion controls and construction of mini bridges connecting rural communities are a constant sight all across the length and breadth of Kwara North as the Senator works tirelessly to bridge the infrastructural deficits. Yes, some communities may still be on the waiting list and would grumble at this assertion but what is certain is that he has demonstrated strong leadership capacity, foresight, commitment and the political will. As it is popularly said, the Nigerian(Kwara North)project is a work in progress.

The socio-economic growth and development of emerging markets and economies largely depends on consistent power supply and Kwara North is not left out in the renewed efforts to achieve a clean and green environment through the consumption of clean energy. Kaiama, Gbugbu and Essanti in Lade Ward III have all received new transformers to stay connected to the national grid. This will improve the sustainable living income for the local population through increased patronage of local industries and small businesses that are electrical power-dependent. The burning of fossil fuel is on the increase and its effect on global warming and climate change is glaring, a tenable reason behind the solar street lights initiative to light up rural communities in Kwara North Senatorial District.

In the same vein, motorized boreholes have been sunk in different parts of the senatorial district through the constituency office of the distinguished senator and his foundation respectively to curb the scourge of water scarcity that is fast becoming a seasonal problem. Some others have been rehabilitated in effort to ensure everyone regardless of their social status is carried along.

Need I mention the mega empowerment that was well attended by constituents drawn from across the senatorial district to cushion the effect of post covid-19 global economic meltdown? Petty traders, farmers, transporters and even the party structure were some of the beneficiaries that went home with different working tools and materials such as utility vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles to support their businesses. The reward of goodness is more goodness.

On his contributions to legislative businesses, he has sponsored and cosponsored motions and bills on burning national issues, speaking fluently with confidence while marshalling his points.

Governance even in the most advanced democracies is sustained by continuity and in our political parlance, we say governance is continuum. Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar has done remarkably well in the space of three years. He deserves a return ticket to the Red Chambers of the National Assembly if we are truly concerned about the progress and development of Kwara North as a district. He has laid a workable template for the district and if voted for a second term in office as mostly expected, he will be going back as a ranking member of the senate where he would be able to push for and facilitate more people oriented projects to Kwara North.

If you don’t understand the workings of the National Assembly, you may not know what it means to be a ranking member of the legislature but then, you certainly need competence and capacity to attract federal presence to your district, two traits that 3SU has effortlessly demonstrated by virtue of his achievements over the last three years. You need political clout.

Yes there is room for improvements especially in the area of human capital development. He’s no stone unturned in his resolve to redefine democratic representation through inclusion and participation. The paradigm shift we have always wanted is making inroads to all parts of Kwara North courtesy of senator Sadiq Umar’s pragmatic approach to issues bordering on good governance.

Indeed, it’s been purposeful and responsive three years for Kwara North and its people, little wonder why the electorate are patiently waiting to repay his exemplary leadership capacity with bloc votes in the next general elections.

Unfazed. Unperturbed. Unfettered. Only waiting to take Kwara North to its deserved developmental position.