Over the weekend, Saturday morning to be precise, I was at Tantalite Hotel, Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area where I attended a meeting that reunited former students of Government College, Nasarawa, 1998 set.
Meeting old friends after 22 years since graduation would naturally come with jubilation and renaissance. This is so particularly because the students have shared same roof for 6 good years; 1992 through to 1998.
One of those former students is Hon. Mohammed Sani Otto, the Nasarawa Local Government Council Chairman. The meeting as one expects featured among other things, recollection of past experiences.
They once again had the opportunity to crack jokes, relish on the funny moments as well as the difficult times they had together. Most importantly, they glorified Allah for sparing their lives and for guiding them throughout their lives to this moment where they are excelling in their individual fields of endeavour.
Listening to testimonies from the gathering, I marvelled at stories being told about the then young Mohammed Sani Otto where he was described as the mirror of the set. Hon. Mohammed Sani Otto, according to his friends, was humble, intelligent, hardworking, generous and honest. They explicitly stated that they were not surprise by thoughtful decision of the people of Nasarawa Local Government Area of giving him the mandate to lead them.
Going by the laudable strides he has achieved so far, they proudly associated with his successes and therefore enjoined the good people of Nasarawa Local Government Area to re-elect him so he continue to consolidate on his remarkable strides thereby set precedence for good governance. In view of this, they thought it wise to invigorate his commitment to friendship and good governance with a Medal of an Award of Excellence.
Few weeks back, I was at Laminga where I attended naming Fatiha of Jakandan Laminga’s son who was named after the Nasarawa Local Government Council Boss. Even without been told, one knows for real that for anyone else to name his child/ward after another, it means that person has seen something good in the other which he hopes his son would grow to represent.
To say I was touched by the words of Jakadan Laminga and others who said a lot of good things about Mohammed Sani Otto is an understatement. I said to myself, Nasarawa Local Government Area has indeed made a good choice and hoped they will not trade that choice for anything less. The two occasions are one too many I have witnessed. Hon. Mohammed Sani Otto had before then received so many Awards, had many children named after him and was honoured with a number of Traditional Titles that I have now lost count of.
The rare devotion with which Osu-Kwondo of Agbargada handled the Covid-19 pandemic, Nasarawa Flooding and other emergencies further butress his resolve for the wellbeing and development of Nasarawa Local Government Area and its people.
As the Dan-Amanan Nasarawa for example, he has written his name in the good history book of Nasarawa Emirate Council. The over two centuries old Emirate now manned by Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibril, a man of uncommon pedigree wouldn’t have found him worthy of a Title that represents truth had he not merit it.
Noteworthy is the fact that under the stewardship of Dan-Amanan Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Council has witnessed development in all spheres so much so that it now serves as model for other Areas. And will continue to many years after his second term in Office which people clamour for.
In spite of the enormous people-driven records he has set, covering Rural/Urban Road Network; the Angwan Mairake – Mangoro Goma Road, Angwan Malam – Angwan Dutse Road, grading of Onda – Nasarawa Road and grading of road leading to Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule Abattoir at Laminga, Rural/Urban Water Works; Ultra-Modern Motorized Boreholes constructed at Keri, Odu Community, Koba, Onda Community, VIP Lodge, GRA, Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Council Secretariat, Angwan Waziri, Loko Community, Agbargada, Onda Community and renovation of one at Angwan Bela in Lamiga, Bridges/Culverts constructed at; Angwan Fawa, Nasarawa – Onda Road, Akum – Ogobo – Agimaza Road, Nasarawa – Ara Road, Gunki, Loko etc., Solar Power Street Lights; 1000 metres in Nasarawa, 500 metres in Onda and 500 metres in Loko, Remodeling of Nasarawa Local Government Council Legislative Block, Renovation of Nasarawa Local Government Council Secretariat, Women/Youth Empowerment, Fight against Drug Abuse, Child Labour, Rape and more, Security, etc., the Osu-Etto of Keri has remained humble in magnanimity and has continued to inspire the young and old, across gender to unite and forge common cause towards greater Nasarawa Local Government Area.
No wonder the calls for his continuity beyond 2021 by Nasarawa Local Government Area citizens keep coming. The good news is, he has, as always, vowed not to let them down as he has braced up to his determination to deliver democratic gains them against all odds.
Yahaya Abdulrahman is Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Chairman.
