By David Odama
It is often said that great achievers don’t beat their drums but watchers do. This is the classical case of Rt Honourable Danladi Jatau, Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly, as captured in this piece by David Odama
Those who knew RT Hon. Danladi Jatau better and believed in his ability to deliver on his promises did not hesitate to talk about him, discussed him positively, enlighten the citizens of Kokona and Nasarawa at large on the choice of Hon Jatau as the Speaker especially when he came calling for a chance to deliver his immediate constituency (Kokona), contribute to the redemption of the state from the shackles of poverty, underdevelopment, high unemployment rate among others, occasioned by misgovernance since the creation of the state.
The hard-line supporters spent time delivering messages to citizens that RT Hon Danladi Jatau who had before the 2023 elections contributed in no small measure must be given the opportunity to represent them in the state House of Assembly. They told those who care to listen that Hon. Jatau have not disappointed when placed with the mantle of leadership. For them, one good term (not turn),deserves another.
To his ardent supporters, admirers Danladi came to the state House of Assembly, saw and conquered. Apart from exhibiting quality leadership, providing enabling environment for team work, contributing persuasively and having the ability to lobby and convince his colleagues to always toe the part of unity, understanding and the zeal to ensure that cordial relationship coexist between the legislature and the executive, Jatau has carved a niche for himself in so many ways.
RT Hon Danladi Jatau has not left his immediate constituency in doubt by making tremendous impact in tackling insecurity, emplacement of state-of-the-art in health facilities, reducing out-of-school children, empowerment of many youths, market women, small scale farmers to grow food among other things to numerous to mention, thus repositioning his constituent for the betterment of all.
Yes, there is no denying the fact that the speaker of the Nasarawa state is not only setting the legislative pace for good governance, he has continually preached peace, unity and the need for team work to move the state to an enviable position in the comity of states.
No wonder therefore, unlike other successive administrations, Nasarawa state has become a reference point for other states where the Lawmakers are always at log ahead with the executive.
Since the assumption of RT Hon. Danladi Jatau as the Speaker of the house of Assembly after the house was thrown into leadership crisis over a year ago, peace, cordial working relationship has became the order of the day signifying that a man of peace, a concerned citizen of the state, a man who sleep think, dream and talk Nasarawa state is on the throne.
Speaker Danladi Jatau as an ordinary member of the house demonstrated leadership, concern for his people through empowerment of the people, attraction of government attention in the areas of investment, agricultural development, educational advancement, amongst many more.
Who will, in his right sense, not want such a a person to represent them and do more for the people in his constituent for dividends of democracy to flourish unhindered. It was in this regard that many campaigned for the consolidation of his policies by voting him into the state House of Assembly in 2023 and subsequently Speaker.
RT Hon Danladi Jatau track records in the house did not only endeared him the heart of the electorates in 2023 elections. The people of Kokona State constituency unanimously decided to entrust him with their mandate for the second term for another leg of good representation of four years through their votes.
He was subsequently declared winner of the 2023 Kokona West state constituency election in his native area . Since then, the lawmaker per excellence has not let the people down. This is evident in his achievements reeled out, particularly as the speaker of the house as well as when constituent turned out in mass to celebrate the successful completion of his one year in office.
Speaking in one of the fura, RT Hon. Jatau restated the commitment of his desire to continue to work to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of his people, and Nasarawa at large were not in vain,
He called on the people to continue to support the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abdullahi Sule whose administration,he noted,was also consolidating on building sustainable development, peace and economic prosperity across Nasarawa.
“Let me, on behalf of the people of my constituency, House of Assembly members and good people of Nasarawa State, congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governor Abdullahi Sule and, indeed, all Nigerians on the occasion of their one year in office I also congratulate the good people of Nasarawa State on the 27th Anniversary of the State creation,” Jatau stated.
The Lawmaker who reminded the people about the collective desire for self-determination, economic empowerment and social cohesion that was the motivating factors for the creation of the state, stated his resolve to leverage on the support and contributions of the people for the realization of the dreams of the founding fathers of the state.
“My dear people, you would recall that in my commitment to continue to provide purposeful leadership, I sought for your mandate, Convinced by the believe that I can do it responded to my desire to serve with your votes and entrusted me with the leadership to represent you in our dear Assembly for four (4) years in order to consolidate on our strides for better Nasarawa State.
“I need to reiterate my resolve to continue to serve you, and the entire State sincerely and with the fear of God. I promise to do that with due diligence in line with the principles of accountability, transparency and prudent management of public resources. I assure you that the mandate given to me will continue to be justified. I must state that in everything I do, the dream of our founding fathers and the interest of the good people of my constituency and Nasarawa State will continue to define my policy direction and programmes towards actualizing the Nasarawa State of our collective dream,” RT Hon Danladi declared.
Watchers of events in the state House of Assembly and entire Nasarawa State have convincingly listed his leadership direction as putting a square box in a round hole which they said is translating into initiation of bills, resolutions that will continue to impact positively on the lives of the people.
Reacting to all these, the All Progressives Party ( APC) spokesman in the state,Chief Douglas Otaru, described RT Hon Speaker as a lawmaker full of passion for the people, outstanding lawmaker who has left no one in doubt about his performance which he said will no doubt change the face of Nasarawa positively.
The party image maker, urged citizens of Nasarawa State to be patient with the state government, the Lawmakers in their efforts to reposition and improve the well being of the citizenry.
“Nasarawa People irrespective of political, religious and ethnic inclinations must continually engage the citizenry for sustainable development. The tenets of democracy anchored on probity, transparency and accountability which the administration of governor Sule represent must be upheld and sustained by all and sundry for the state to attain greater heights”.
“One year administration of governor Abdullahi Sule and the RT Hon Speaker have been impactful, productive with greater prospects. The purposeful leadership style of Abdullahi Sule, Speaker of Nasarawa state House of Assembly have not only propelled several ongoing projects spread across the State, but impactful”.
Otaru noted with great concern that the Speaker’s imprints which could be seen in his legislative disposition and the unity of purpose infused into governance required collective and frantic efforts to change the face of Nasarawa State.
The Otaru therefore, solicited the support of all Nasarawa citizens for the lawmaker to address the myriads of socio economic challenges facing the Nasarawa people expressing optimism that with the resilience, commitment and desire of the Speaker and other members of the Assembly to do things right, Nasarawa state will experience more development and transformation through purposeful legislations.