Date: 2014-12-19

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are leader.” John Quincy Adams, an American statesman and the sixth President of the United States of America (USA) was indeed futuristic when he came up with this famous quote.

Adams had postulated ahead of time, apparently knowing that a leader by name Bukola Saraki would emerge that depicts the leadership qualities the former US diplomat had enumerated.

 Like his late father, Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki, the London trained medical doctor turned politician had bestrode Nigerian political landscape, welding much influence.

His father dominated the Nigeria Second Republic when he was Senate Leader. He was believed to be the best Senate Leader ever, owing to his parliamentary dexterity. Oloye, as fondly called by his political associate, admirers and followers held firmly the control of Kwara politics for over four decades.

Saraki, the son, however, took over the political leadership from his father having served as a two-time governor of the state. As the governor, he was able to transform Kwara from being a civil service state to an industrialised one; a development which earned him the “Emerging Tiger Award” and other awards.

Upon completion of his two-term in 2011, Saraki led his former party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to an overwhelming victory in the governorship election when he featured the incumbent governor, Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed, who was Commissioner for Finance in his cabinet, as candidate.

When there was crisis in PDP, Saraki who represents Kwara Central at the Upper Chamber of National Assembly, led the governor, two senators (including himself), six members of House of Representatives, 22 members of the State House of Assembly, 16 Local Government Chairmen and all 193 ward councillors in the state to be part of the large house of the Nigerian’s Main opposition party- All Progressives Congress (APC).

Over the years, Saraki popularly called ‘leader’ by political followers has been able to sustain and improve on his father’s political dynasty being the scion of the family. He has also upheld the consensus politics inherited from his father school of thought. The political structure has successfully and peacefully elected candidates for positions ahead of 2015 elections in the state including the incumbent who got a return ticket. Oloye’s philanthropic gesture has witnessed sheer improvement.

As a trailblazer, Saraki ditched his presidential bid to ensure a rancour-free primary with the APC in a move he called “personal sacrifice to salvage the party.” The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal toed the path when he announced the withdrawal of his presidential ambition “in the interest of the party.”

As it’s were, Saraki’s novel sacrifice had contributed in no-small-measure to the peaceful APC presidential primary which had produced General Muhammadu Buhari as the flagbearer. The primary was described “as most credible and transparent primary election in the Nigerian history” by Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who lost at the election.             

Born on 19, December 1962, Saraki, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, is today marking 52nd birthday.  

Saraki was educated in both Nigeria and the UK, qualified and practiced as a medical doctor at Rush Green Hospital in London. He was appointed him as Special Assistant to the President on Budget in 2000 where he was responsible for preparing the 2000/2001 National Budget. Saraki equally initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill and served on the Economic Policy Co-ordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of key economic policies for Nigeria.

He was elected and sworn into office in 2003. Saraki was re-elected in 2007 general election for second term in office.

He was the first Nigerian Governor to be awarded the National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).  He was conferred and turbaned as a nobleman of high rank with a traditional title of Turaki of Ilorin Emirate.

Among other awards are; ‘Governor of the Year’ by This Day Newspapers (2004); ‘Best Governor of the Year in Agricultural Development 2004/05’ by City People, KSNG; Leadership Award in appreciation of commitments and outstanding leadership qualities (2005); Harvard Business School Africa Club Award 2005; Kenneth Kaunda Foundation Best Governor in Africa 2006; Osun State Broadcast Corporation Man of the Year 2006; ‘African Governor of the Year in Agricultural Development’ by African Union Media Group in Pretoria, South Africa; Nigeria Referee Association Grand Patron 2007; This Day Newspaper Best Governor on Food Security 2008.