I Have Moral Duty Rescue Of
Kogi People
…Habeeb
Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb, a banker, is a Kogi State
governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In
this interview with Uzo Chikere he speaks on his foray into politics and how he
plans to turn the fortunes of the state around.
Why are you leaving a banking job for the murky waters of
Nigeria’s politics?
I have been reshaping today for a brighter tomorrow while
taking clue from the past. As an ardent believer in training and building
people and assigning them responsibilities through effective delegation for the
creation of an incorruptible, efficient, resilient and responsive service
system, my antecedents in the banking hall will be further utilised to
galvanise Kogi State to a truly working state.
Having being engaged in numerous community development and
award programmes, fighting for the oppressed and believing in a systemic
economic improvement, the truth is that we cannot all sit down to watch the
state being underdeveloped. I believe it is a moral duty for me to come to the
rescue of my people and bring development to a state that has never witnessed
development since its creation. My desire is to leave a landmark in the history
of time. That is why I have to leave my lucrative job of banking to serve
humanity.
Also, God has endowed me with leadership and intellectual
abilities which I want to put to the service of humanity. My experiences of how
many countries like Malaysia, Singapore and India developed will be brought to
bear in developing Kogi State. Such service of massive human and socio-economic
development for a whole state cannot be achieved by remaining on my banking
job.
Are you not afraid of known politicians like former
Governor Abubakar Audu in the gubernatorial race?
I have only God the Creator to fear. My focus is the
transformation of Kogi State to a developed state that all my people home and
abroad will be proud of and I am very resolute to achieve that. I have a dream
and a vision that cannot be thwarted by any individual and there is a ray of
light at the dark end of the tunnel as I offer myself to serve my people. I am
well acquainted with the sufferings and aspirations of our people. I believe
that we must not allow our generation to be tagged a “wasted generation”.
Now is the time to make real the dividends of democracy. Now
is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of servitude to the
sun-lit path of prosperity and liberation. Now is the time to lift our state
from the quick sand of injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
It would be fatal for the people of Kogi State to overlook
the urgency of the moment. We all have a job to do – to save Kogi people from
doldrums and give them hope and basic amenities to make life more meaningful.
No one person can do it alone.
It is a collective effort. Suggestion boxes shall be
introduced in every local government headquarters with constant town and city
meetings to carry the grassroots along. If there is one thing I have learnt in
this life, it is that when a people are propelled by a strong will, anchored
firmly on a vision and set goals, they will definitely succeed. Kogi State,
with the right people like me in government, can serve as a model state in Nigeria.
What should the people of Kogi expect from you?
I will be happy to keep seeing array of distinguished Kogi
sons and daughters active in all sectors of the economy. I feel energised and
strengthened in my belief that we shall all collectively expel poverty, misery
and squalor from the state. As chairman of an international NGO, Humanity
First, which is engaged in life-saving services to humanity, we have drilled
boreholes in Lagos, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Osun, Niger and Borno states.
Many people have regained their sights through the free eye
surgery sponsored by the organisation. I currently run scholarship schemes for
primary and secondary schools in Aiyegunle Gbedde, where I award 30 scholarship
yearly to primary, JSS and SSS students.
I can do much more if given the mandate. As a resource
person to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Committee of the
Constitutional Conference, I proved my mettle there that the chairman of the
committee wrote to me stating: “Your contributions to the success of the
committee in this national assignment are highly appreciated… It is hoped that
you will respond with equal enthusiasm, dedication and consciousness any time
in the future you are called upon to serve this country.” Furthermore, as a
consistent and loyal member of APC, a grassroots mobiliser, a prudent manager
of human and material resources, a man of high integrity, reputation, I am
indeed the all-round developmental change spirit and agent the people of Kogi
deserve.
In a meeting with Kogi indigenes in the United States
penultimate week where they promised to give me their support, I assured them
of our administration’s plan to empower the citizens economically to have
streams of income to sustain them beyond one generation. We are going to do things
differently and will not be waiting for months still thinking of what to do. I
will hit the ground running from day one. I just want to appeal to our people
not to sell their votes and conscience to moneybags who will be looking forays
to get back what they spent.
When I become the governor; I will set up industries to
create employment opportunities starting with the Ajaokuta Steel Mill. We will
build a medical tourism centre in Kogi with all necessary infrastructure in
place. I am deeply interested in developing the state. We have been doing this
before now on a small scale and just want to do it on a larger scale. Integrity
has been my watchword and many people have attested to this.
It is not just about campaign promises but my words are my
bond. Knowledge is very key to governance and this I also have; you cannot give
what you do not have. The experience is there and I am ready to use this in
developing my state. We already have a master plan. I have already outlined my
action plan for the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Mill. We will require
about N200 billion to revive Ajaokuta and this will not be difficult to do
considering the huge benefits that will accrue from the project. Apart from
raising bond, another way to revamp Ajaokuta is to go to the Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) and seek for an intervention fund. Also, I have met with people
outside the country who are leading steel industries owners in the world and
they are ready to come and run it. So, once you put up these three, all you need
is to work closely with the Federal Government to see the benefits for Nigeria,
for my state and everybody. These are the options; let us pick the one that is
the best. It is a moral duty for me to come to the rescue and bring development
to a state that has never witnessed development since its creation. Just like
many Kogi people home and abroad are calling for change, I am hoping that my
people will not be tempted again by moneybags who are only interested in what
they will get in return but are not truly out to serve the people and develop
the state.
