Date: 2014-07-30

The world isn't only craving for development, but importantly, sustainable development. The demand for sustainable development has become very strong that it decides the modus and pattern in which a development will take. Nigeria, a developing country equally needs sustainable development in order to ensure lasting growth in the nation. However, one of the key factors that hinders sustainable development is change in government, particularly when such change in government introduces a different political party from the previous one. Such approach does not only hinder sustainable development, it makes existing development less important and abandoned on going project to begin its own agenda; this is obtainable and evident in the Nigerian system.

Taking Oyo state as example; the inconsistency in government since 1999 has deprived the old state of good development. On the other side, examining a state like Lagos, where the same political party with a progressive ideology has been at the helms of affairs, the state has not only made its way to being Nigeria's only economic power but has also experienced massive infrastructural development that have created enabling environment for businesses to triumph and people to live happily. No doubt, the experience of Kwara is similar to that of Lagos. In 2003, Kwara experienced an ideological change in leadership, when Dr Bukola Saraki became governor which spanned for eight uninterrupted years. Of course, not all was achieved during this period, but all was achieved, how? The leadership ideological position continued as Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed got the leadership mantle, sustaining the existing development. If we will recall, Alhaji Ahmed had served under Governor Bukola Saraki, therefore, he has understood the developmental ideology of the Governor which made it easy for him to sustain, thus, Kwara enjoys stability and sustained growth.

It is popular said that he who forgets the past will repeat the mistake of the past in the future and he who respects the past, will succeed easily as success standards of the past will be used to uphold the present. As 2015 is approaching, all states across the country are anxious, with strong enthusiasm to choose a leader that will uplift the glory of the state, Kwara inclusive. In the case if Kwara, a host of potential candidates are being discussed among the masses with varying positions about their political stand as far as development is concerned in Kwara. Even though there are several potential candidates but among them all, there's a leading potential candidate who is believed to be strong, bold and development oriented enough to sustain development in Kwara. He is Barrister AbudulRazak Atunwa.

Born 17 October 1969, Atunwa is the Honourable Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly. He was a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) between 2002 and 2014. On 22 January 2014 he formally announced his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Rt. Hon. Razak Atunwa holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (Hons), and a Master of Laws degree, Public International Law (Lond). He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in October 1994 by the Inner Temple Inns of Court. As a barrister practicing from Chambers in London, he specialized in criminal defence and international law cases. He appeared in a number of notable and high profile cases (reported in various Law Reports). In 2005 Atunwa moved to Nigeria to commence his political career. In August 2005, he was appointed the Honourable Commissioner for Land and Housing of Kwara State. A year later in August 2006, he became Honourable Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs. In July 2007 he became Honourable Commissioner for Works and Transport. He was moved to the Ministry of Finance in November 2009. In April 2011, Atunwa was elected into the Kwara State House of Assembly to represent Owode/Onire Constituency of Asa Local Government, Kwara State, Nigeria. On 6 June 2011, he was unanimously elected as Honourable Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly.

Atunwa has been on the spotlight among potential governorship candidates in Kwara. The reasons are not far fetched. Politics they say its all about grassroot development and interaction. Atunwa's grassroot relation is immense which is evident in his empowerment approaches to people at the grassroot. His passion for the grassroot is equal to none which explains why he is readily available to attend to public duties even outside his area of function. Being speaker of Kwara Assembly, he has been leading the house without any iota of crisis as we have in many house of assemblies across the country. The harmony experienced in the state house under his leadership has definitely accelerated progress in the state as appropriation bills are critically checked and meticulously implemented for progress in Kwara. Beyond the regular form of leading, Atunwa has created dynamism in his approach to development by facilitating various social interactions and feedback methods such as his presence on social media where he engages Kwarans on key issues in line with development.

Importantly, as I have based my article on sustainability; I'm a Kwaran who wants the best for my state of origin. The best that can happen to Kwara is continuity; not just continuity but continuity with a leader that will uplift the state to a higher level as soon as possible, Barr. Atunwa is no doubt the man. Let's give progress another chance.