- Photo:Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa (Katukan Yawuri), Managing Director, National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission*
“Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the overwhelming majority of our people” – President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR).
The above quote by His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu (GCFR) remains the guiding principle as well as the focal point of Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa (Katukan Yawuri), the Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, Plateau and of recent Taraba, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Gombe states, who has been working assiduously for the common good and greater majority of the communities hosting the Commission.
John Maxwell, author, coach and speaker once alluded, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”. And interestingly, since assuming helms of affairs nearly four years ago at N-HYPPADEC, Sadiq Yelwa, has shown exemplary and purposeful leadership in the onerous task of projects implementation and distributions on the basis of equity, fairness and equanimity amongst communities hosting the commission in the affected states
This can be seen in the construction of the monumental and legendary N1.2 billion Naira Idye Flood Control Dyke Project in Nyiman Area of Makurdi town, Benue State capital, aimed at mitigating perennial flooding ravaging various communities in the area.
In his remarks at the event (flood control project), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator, George Akume, while paying glowing tributes on Sadiq Yelwa-led management said, “This project, supplemented by an additional excavation of 2.5 kilometers to salvage the Lower Basin of these communities, is a significant investment. I believe this project is worth the amount because of its importance in safeguarding the environment, protecting lives and livelihood of our people.”
Also, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hycinth Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State represented by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode commended the N-HYPPADEC team for the gigantic project when he said, “This project is not just a construction milestone, it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to aggressively tackling the several flooding and erosion challenges, that have long plaque our communities in Benue State”.
In like manner, the N-HYPPADEC leadership has shown commitment and tenacity by impacting on Kogi State communities ravaged as a result of incessant flooding from Kainji Dam. It was John Adams, one of the greatest humanist, who said, “Impactful life is better than impressive life”. The impact of N-HYPPADEC gigantic project in Kogi is as well commendable, especially in Kotonkarfe Town, where perennial flooding often displaces several communities. As a result, Sadiq Yelwa and his amiable team took the bull by the horns by constructing flood erosion control channel in the area to curb the menace of the flooding.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, while also speaking in Kogi said, “The Federal Government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the root causes of ecological challenges across the country”.
Kogi State governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo in his remarks expressed gratitude to the Federal Government through N-HYPPADEC for the Kotonkarfe and other projects sited in Kogi State, saying HYPADDEC has made great impacts on the plights of the people in the affected areas.
Relatedly, the paramount ruler of Koton Karfe, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu, who was visibly excited during the commissioning of the Koton Karfe Erosion Control Project describing it as a landmark achievement in the history of the Kingdom.
The N-HYPPADEC boss said the intervention (the Koton Karfe Erosion Control Project) became necessary following the serious health effects, that devastated 10 Local Governments areas in Kogi State.
Kwara State has also enjoyed the patronage of N-HYPPADEC erosion control project in Pategi by giving life to the people of Pategi, who suffered erosion and other humanitarian challenges which engulfed the communities and as a result the N-HYPADDEC team flagged off the construction of 570 metre span erosion control project to ameliorate the causes erosion.
While inaugurating and handing over the Pategi project, Senator Akume who was on hand again said, “We are here to celebrate an important achievement in our quest to combat environmental challenges and improve the lives of our people” while the N-HYPADDEC boss on his part said “the commissioning of this hospital erosion and flood control dyke, marked a turning point in our fight against the devastation of this community by the dual disaster of flood and erosion, incessantly ravaging this community”.
Inn appreciating the laudable programmes by N-HYPADDEC in his community and beyond, the Estu Pategi, His Royal Highness Alh. Umar Ibrahim Bologi II said “the N-HYPADDEC project had brought succour to my people representing paradigm shift in how we approach urban planning and environmental projection.”
On a very interesting scenario, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa and his team magic wand has brought series of reforms in Niger State, the completion and commissioning of New Bussa Water Works Project, which has been lying fallow for over a decade has been resuscitated. This no doubt shows responsive leadership which is quiet apt and legendary.
Like the words of a great German and one of the most impactful scientist Albert Einstein, who said, “Intellectuals solve problems”.
“This New Bussa Water Works Project has been ongoing for nearly three decades, and it has been a source of concern for the community. But when I came to N-HYPADDEC, we made it our prime and focal project. And today to the glory of Allah (SWT), the project is now completed,” Sadiq Yelwa said.
“This Water Project in New Bussa is all about transforming lives. Mothers will no longer have to worry about safety for the water they give their children. The improved water supply will boost public health and the incident of water borne diseases will also support local businesses, attract investment and contribute to the overall development of New Bussa town and its environs,” Senator Akume stated at the event.
Appreciating the completion of New Bussa Water Works Project, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Borgu, Dr Muhammed Haliru Dantoro ( Kitoro IV), joyfully said “Today’s commissioning is a half-century old promised kept by the Nigerian State via HYPADDEC leadership as it is a dream come true for the good people of Borgu Emirate.”
Also, in Kebbi State, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Yauri, Alhaji Muhammed Abdullahi, in appreciating the immense and invaluable giant stride of N-HYPADDEC for the rehabilitation of N1.6 billion Yauri Water Works Project said “Within the last two years, N-HYPADDEC visionary leadership has executed a number of projects across Kebbi State that has improved living standard of affected communities. I am thanking Mr President and I am short of words to express my happiness over the development. He who gives water gives life. Clean water has always been our problems.”
In Plateau State, in order to stem the tide of incessant attacks on innocent citizenry in Kakuruk, Gashshi District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa and his team took the bull by the horns with the remodeling of Police Mobil Barracks in that community. Speaking on the occasion of the commissioning of the project, the SGF, Senator George Akume, represented by his Chief of Staff Mr Simeon Tyongu, said, “The Gashishi Police Barrack remodeling will further enhance the security of lives and property in that axis of Plateau State. I am delighted to acknowledge and commend N-HYPADDEC for initiating and successfully executing this very important project.”
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang represented by the Secretary to Plateau State Government thanked the N-HYPADDEC leadership for this very important gesture, when he said, “As a government, we have put modalities on ground towards ensuring that all displace persons return to their ancestral homes”. It is at the same occasion that the N-HYPADDEC boss described the project as part of its corporate social responsibilities (CSR) to all the power producing communities in the N-HYPADDEC States. “Worthy of note, is that the project exemplifies our dedication to serving local communities geared towards promoting peace and security through tangible action”.
His Royal Highness the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman Council of Chief and Emirs in Plateau State, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, was also full of joy and ecstasy with the Gashish Police Barracks Project remodelled by N-HYPADDEC in Barkin Ladi.
Conclusively, one could say without any iota of doubt that with the retinue of the gigantic projects put in place by N-HYPADDEC under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa and his team in the affected communities in the States under his jurisdiction, there is no doubt that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is working for the greater majority of the people as well as for the common good of all in the N-HYPADDEC communities, which is in line with the doctrine of “Salus Populi Suprama ex-lex” meaning “the good of the people is the supreme law) as heard from the comments and vote of confidence passed on Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa-led N-HYPADDEC team by critical stakeholders hosting the Commission.
Borrowing from the words of Sir Melford Okilo (of blessed memory), one-time Rivers State Governor and a distinguished Senator Federal Republic of Nigeria who said, “When you are speaking the truth, you are not only speaking the minds of one person, but you must have spoken the minds of millions of people”. In this regard, Alhaji Abubkar Sadiq Yelwa deserves another four years tenure from President Tinubu for him (Yelwa) to further consolidate on his numerous developmental strides.
*Ibrahim, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja
