Wadada Steps Forward To Serve Nasarawa West Diligently With Passion For Humanity And Socio-economic Development.
By Yahaya Idris, Nasarawa.
For eight years since 2003, Honourable Wadada patriotically represented the interest of the good people of Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency.
Nasarawa State, the Solid Minerals haven of Nigeria is blessed with illustrious sons and daughters, among them standing tall is Honourable Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, Barajen Keffi.
From the year 2003 when he heeded the calls by his people in Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency to represent them at the Federal House of Representatives, his giant strides in delivering unmatched dividends of democracy have been commendable locally and across the country.
His exploits in his constituency span across social, economic empowerment, health, security and even sports development, especially Polo, a sport that has earned him national and international accolades.
However, understanding his background will give a well-rounded idea of whom Hon. Wadada really is and his future plans for his state and people.
His Humble Background
Honourable Ahmed Wadada Aliyu hails from Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. He was born to the family of Alhaji Danyaya Aliyu on the 15th of October, 1964.
Wadada is a proud family man, married to Hajiya Maryam and Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and they are blessed with 6 children.
His intellectual and business acumen is a testament to his strong foundation, as he started his educational pursuit at Abdu Zanga Primary School Keffi in 1972 -1978. He completed his secondary education at the prestigious Government Secondary School Miango, Jos Plateau state where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1983.
To further strengthen his academic standing, in 1984, Wadada proceeded to the famous School of Preliminary Studies (SPS) Keffi. He proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa where he obtained his National Diploma in Business Administration in 1987. In 1993, Honourable Wadada graduated with Higher National Diploma (HND) at the same institution.
His leadership capabilities and selfless attitudes permeated his entire academic history. While at Abdu Zanga Primary School, he was the class monitor from 1972-1977. At the same school, he was appointed as the Senior Prefect from 1977-1978. The same scenario played out at the Government Secondary School Miango, Jos Plateau state where he was appointed as the Social Prefect from 1982 to 1983. He was very resourceful in his early age, one the resons he was elected twice as the Director of Socials by the Keffi Students Association (KESA) from 1981-1983. His quest for community and social development, he founded Association for Better Keffi (ABK) in 1991.
As an astute professional, Honourable Ahmed Wadada Aliyu started his career with the United Bank for Africa as a Senior Clerk from 1988 to 1991. He served at the Benue Cement Company Gboko for his National Youth Service as a Procurement Officer from 1993 to 1994. He later joined Kana Tobacco Distribution Company as a Distribution Manager from1996 to 1997. He worked with Vision Group before he finally veered into partisan politics in 1997 .
Landmark Political and Leadership Achievements
In 2003, Honourable Wadada was elected to represent the people of Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency. Within his eight years at the Federal House of Representative (2003 to 2011). He sponsored and moved several bills and motions in the green chamber.
1. ( HB.90) Tobacco Control Bill, 2004 Bill consolidation with ( HB.74)
2. Federal Capital Territory Development Agency Bill 2005 ( HB.200)
3. ( HB.201) Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registration Bill, 2005
4. ( HB.247) Investments and Securities Tribunal Bill, 2006
5. Investment and Securities 2006 ( HB.273)
6. Motion on Investigation of Afri-Bank Public Offer-2006
7. Motion on NNPC/Daewoo Crude Lifting Joint Venture-2007
8. Motion on Sale of African Petroleum (AP) Plc by NNPC-2007
9. Motion on Wanton Killings, Destruction of Public Properties and Illegal Arrests of some Indigenes of Garaku in Kokona LG of his constituency by the Police and urged the Federal Ministry of Works to Provide Speed Bumps across Garaku Town to forestall further occurrence of death on the road ( HB.632009)
10. FCT Satellite Towns Development Commission Bill.
Contributions to Social Welfare and Development
As a man who has a genuine concern for his people, Wadada has contributed to the socio-economic welfare of the people of Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency. In the area of healthcare assistance, as he believes in the adage that ‘health is wealth’.
To practice what he preaches, he assisted the poor in his constituency. He footed medical bills of patients across the various LGAs to the tune of N4.6 million.
He contributed immensely to the maintenance of several medical facilities by providing drugs,equipment, as well as construction and rehabilitation of clinics and hospitals across the constituency.
Water is a basic necessity of life. without it, life on earth will be difficult and practically impossible. For many constituents of Keffi, Karu and Kokona Federal Constituency access to potable drinking was a luxury.
To arrest this dehumanising condition, Wadada took practical steps such as planning, rehabilitation and construction of water schemes at Dutse, Keffi, Agwan Kaura, Tudun Wada, Kofar Kokona, Kofar Mada, Sabon PegiGangaran Tudu, Angwan Tiv in Keffi, Angwan Waje/Tudun Wada in Keffi, Tudun Amama, Jigwada and Kaibo Mada. While in office Wadada expended over N5 million on various water projects that had salvaged his people.
For many years, the people in his constituency had suffered untold hardships due to the dilapidated roads that retarded economic activities and safety of loves and properties.
Within his eight years in office, Honourable Wadada invested over N50 million towards the repair, development, construction and expansion of old and new roads, bridges, culverts, drainages and gutters across his constituency. Various communities across Keffi, Karu and Kokona LGAs benefitted from these various projects, they include: Angwan Yarbawa in Keffi, Tudun Kofa in Keffi, Kurmin Daudu and Angwan Eggon in Keffi, Makeran Baki in Keffi, Angwan Toni-Nike Road.
There were various cases of natural disasters that wrecked havoc on the areas and properties lost or destroyed, Wadada, in his usual characteristic, donated over N6 million as assistance to victims to rehabilitate damaged properties.
As an intellectual , Honourable Wadada is a fervent believer in quality education and human capacity development. To actualise his commitment towards the mental development of his people, he founded the Wadada Education Foundation, a platform that nurtures and supports youths and residents of his constituency with the goal to access quality education.
His contribution towards educational projects saw a total commitment of over N50 million across Keffi, Karu and Kokona LGAs. This includes the construction of classrooms across various communities in the constituency, supply of over 4,000 exercise books, pencils donated to schools and colleges in Karu LGA, construction of two blocks of classrooms and head master’s office at Yelwa Bassa Village in Kokona LGA. Two classroom blocks and headmaster office was also constructed at Mararaba in Karu LGA.
During the time he represented his people at the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Wadada pushed for various youth and capacity development projects because he believes the youths are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the catalyst for socio-economic development.
His contribution overlays the economic and business activities of the youths of the constituency . This includes but not limited to financial supports to Cow Marketers Association, distribution of over 50 sewing machines to women in Keffi, distribution of motorcycles, buses, tricycles and other business enablers to the youths and women in the constituency.
Honourable Wadada also believes that youth development is incomplete without sports and recreational activities that can creatively engage them. Part of his contribution to this is the creation of Honourable Wadada Football Competition that rewards talent, passion and discipline in youths.
As part of his contribution to sports development, Honourable Wadada has over time hosted the International Polo Tournament at his Keffi Polo Ranch. Located off the ever busy Abuja-Keffi highway, the ranch comes with its own natural appeal that endears local and international lovers of the game to the ranch.
As a man who wants to do more to serve his people, Honourable Ahmed Wadada Aliyu is poised to take higher responsibilities that may come his way. With the high level of confidence his people have in him, his plans for the future can only be brighter.
