Ibrahim Shema: A top-notch administrator standing tall at 65, By Olawale Oluwabusola
Despite being the most reviled former governor by the APC-led administration, due to his daunting record of accomplishments in office, loyalty and commitment to his political party, Shema remains a rising star from the northern part of Nigeria.
Early this year, along with a friend, I was introduced to the former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, who was then again vying for the post of Governor of state on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at his residence in Ifaki-Ekiti. Upon learning that the former Governor of Katsina State, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema, is my oga (boss), Chief Oni received me warmly and said the following in the presence of those gathered: "Shema is a refined politician, a special race, an honest and perfect gentleman; its types are very rare in the Nigerian political space.”
This was the testimony of a man who left the main opposition party, the PDP, where Shema is a strong pillar, out of frustration and disappointment in local politics in his state. I was not surprised by Chief Oni's remarks because it is a popular remark about this illustrious son of Dutsin-ma in Katsina State, wherever I mentioned his name, especially outside from the northern part of Nigeria.
On September 22, Shema, whose indelible marks as a former governor of Katsina State still shine, will turn 65. As governor of a low-income state, Shema, through careful management of resources, without obtaining any loans from local or foreign sources, provided free education to all primary and secondary school students and paid WAEC fees. , NECO and NABTEB for public school students, including non-natives. It provided buses to transport students to their various schools in the state, increased scholarships for Katsina State students in higher education institutions, ensured the implementation of the minimum wage and the prompt payment of workers' wages between the 22nd and 24th of each month, throughout its eight years. as Governor of the State.
The Shema administration has not only sponsored more than 800 students from Katsina State to study abroad in critical fields such as medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry , computer engineering, etc., he also established a youth handicraft village where more than 4,000 young people were trained each year in various skills such as car mechanical repair and car electronic work, computer network, programming, film making and photography, shoe making, paint and chalk making, etc. , etc. He increased the salaries of health workers; rehabilitated all major general hospitals in the state and provided new equipment; and introduced a rural ambulance service program in 34 local governments across the state.
Despite being the most reviled former governor by the APC-led administration, due to his daunting record of accomplishments in office, loyalty and commitment to his political party, Shema remains a rising star from northern Nigeria. He promoted the advancement of education in Katsina State through the establishment of ICT and the Business Institute (now renamed Katsina State Institute of Technolo...
Despite being the most reviled former governor by the APC-led administration, due to his daunting record of accomplishments in office, loyalty and commitment to his political party, Shema remains a rising star from the northern part of Nigeria.
Early this year, along with a friend, I was introduced to the former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, who was then again vying for the post of Governor of state on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at his residence in Ifaki-Ekiti. Upon learning that the former Governor of Katsina State, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema, is my oga (boss), Chief Oni received me warmly and said the following in the presence of those gathered: "Shema is a refined politician, a special race, an honest and perfect gentleman; its types are very rare in the Nigerian political space.”
This was the testimony of a man who left the main opposition party, the PDP, where Shema is a strong pillar, out of frustration and disappointment in local politics in his state. I was not surprised by Chief Oni's remarks because it is a popular remark about this illustrious son of Dutsin-ma in Katsina State, wherever I mentioned his name, especially outside from the northern part of Nigeria.
On September 22, Shema, whose indelible marks as a former governor of Katsina State still shine, will turn 65. As governor of a low-income state, Shema, through careful management of resources, without obtaining any loans from local or foreign sources, provided free education to all primary and secondary school students and paid WAEC fees. , NECO and NABTEB for public school students, including non-natives. It provided buses to transport students to their various schools in the state, increased scholarships for Katsina State students in higher education institutions, ensured the implementation of the minimum wage and the prompt payment of workers' wages between the 22nd and 24th of each month, throughout its eight years. as Governor of the State.
The Shema administration has not only sponsored more than 800 students from Katsina State to study abroad in critical fields such as medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry , computer engineering, etc., he also established a youth handicraft village where more than 4,000 young people were trained each year in various skills such as car mechanical repair and car electronic work, computer network, programming, film making and photography, shoe making, paint and chalk making, etc. , etc. He increased the salaries of health workers; rehabilitated all major general hospitals in the state and provided new equipment; and introduced a rural ambulance service program in 34 local governments across the state.
Despite being the most reviled former governor by the APC-led administration, due to his daunting record of accomplishments in office, loyalty and commitment to his political party, Shema remains a rising star from northern Nigeria. He promoted the advancement of education in Katsina State through the establishment of ICT and the Business Institute (now renamed Katsina State Institute of Technolo...
What's Your Reaction?
