By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
Everything that has a beginning certainly must have an end. The second term of Muhammadu Buhari has come and gone leaving behind memories and good talks about some key players of that regime.
He has done his best hoping that history will be kind to him.
There were 44 Ministers that assisted him to navigate the ship of state. While some left with only their portraits behind, very few left an indelible landmarks of achievements.
At the twilight of the last administration, the president felt there was need to appreciate those who helped in making his administration berthed well.
He honoured them with National Honours awards that many believed they all deserve
Among the Ministers so honoured is the erstwhile Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the quintensential party faithful and workaholic Princess of Budon in nearby Koton Karfe of Kogi state.
She is a party faithful who put everything she had in the success of the party and the government.
As Minister her footprints are in every segments she held sway.
Within the period she held sway as a Minister, she slowly but steadily blazed a trail of remarkable achievements.
Success is not accidental, neither is it served a la carte; you have to go for it!
Either you are a man or woman, young or old, the only thing that separates leaders from others, winners from losers, is their dedication and perseverance in bringing true change into anything they do
She is a workaholic and takes every assignment given to her head-on.
She brought innovation into ministry administration. And today, the Secretariats under her are setting the pace in FCTA.
A grassroots mobiliser, she put in everything she had, money, contacts and wherewithal to ensure she leaves a benchmark in the administration of FCTA.
Meanwhile, talking about the national awards, many believe she deserved it been an active member of the ruling Party, the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Ramatu is a young vibrant woman who suffers no fools a bit as in her haste, she is but resolute to write her own copy of history and she has been doing that as she excelled in the departments she had functioned.
She gives prominence to national issues and desirous for a better Nigeria. She is a Nigerian in spirit and in character. She wants the best for the country and goes out to ensure in her dealings that Nigeria remains paramount.
It was in quest for a better Nigeria that she identified the genius and a goal getter in Jagaban that she put everything at her disposal in the campaign for the success of Tinubu presidency.
She was in the forefront during the campaign both in FCT and Kogi state and ensured the victory of Tinubu.
It will be recalled that she has been a founding member of ANPP and coordinated the party activities in the North Central part of the country for her party.
In view of her commitment to grassroots mobilisation, she was appreciated by getting elected as the national Women Leader of the then ANPP.
Again in the fusion of four political parties in 2014, she was there doing what she knows how to do best.
She was a founding member of the current ruling party, the APC.
And for her contribution in party grassroots mobilisation, she became pioneer Woman Leader of the APC.
In Nigeria today there are very few, and indeed very few politicians that can be counted on one’s fingers that have remain in one political party.
And she happens to be one who remained steadfast as a Party faithful not minding whether her party was in opposition or not.
Now that a new administration has come on stream, many of her supporters are believing that she will have a foothold in the new government in place.
And since what will be expected from the incoming ministerial nominees or appointees would be but not limited to commitment diligence, loyalty, competence and a history devoid of unnecessary controversy
Also you have to show case what you have contributed or what did you contribute to President Tinubu’s victory.
And most importantly, What can such of those to be appointed contribute to his presidency.
But in any government, what the principal is always looking out for are diverse and many.
And without doubt Ramatu possess these and possibly more in adding value to the new government. After all, she did wonderfully well under the Buhari administration.
Without doubt she has proven by her actions and deeds that the spirit of Jagaban is in her.
She has no nonsense reputation for getting results, and her doggedness; this passionate political Princess of Kogi State, has proven that success is no respecter of gender but only favours hard work, tenacity and purpose.
She put everything she has in the 2023 election that saw to the victory of APC.
It wasn’t easy as many fought her for her resolute in ensuring the success and acceptability of her party among the women folk.
For her resilience and doggedness, former President Buhari felt she deserved to be appreciated and listed her among the national honours awards beneficiaries.
She can conveniently say she has maneuvered through the corridors of power in Kogi, FCT and Nigeria with ease.
Tirelessly, she soldiered on, initiated reforms and fortifying capacity, building measures that have yielded fruits.
She believes Nigeria can and will get it right if everyone puts the nation first.
To underscore her commitment to serving the public good, she has weather the political waters and has remained in good standing.
She has paid her dues, and this must have contributed to the national honours award.
She has done her best believing that history will be kind to her at the end of the day.
Indeed, with a new dawn on the horizon beckoning, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has left an indelible footprint on the sand of time as an irrepressible Amazon of change and an astute administrator.
*Abdul can be reached via abduljelil2001@gmail.com