Nasarawa Governor Criticizes Colleagues for Listing Salaries, Roads as Achievements

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has sharply criticized the tendency of some political leaders to present the fulfillment of their basic duties, such as paying salaries and constructing roads, as significant achievements. Speaking at the 59th inaugural lecture of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Governor Sule emphasized that genuine leadership is defined by innovative problem-solving and impactful interventions that directly benefit the populace.

“

A rendered project that has no direct impact on the people you are leading is no service. Any time you see a governor saying that one of my achievements is that I pay salaries or provide water, power, building roads, even if they are flyovers, that governor doesn’t know the hell he is talking about.

Governor Sule asserted that leaders are elected to perform these fundamental tasks, and merely doing so does not constitute an exceptional accomplishment. He stressed the importance of "thinking outside the box" to address citizens' needs in ways that are unexpected yet profoundly beneficial. This perspective challenges the conventional approach to governance, urging a shift from mere project delivery to creating lasting positive change.

As a prime example of this philosophy, Governor Sule highlighted his administration's initiative to rebuild a local market that was repeatedly destroyed by fire. Instead of continuing the cycle of providing financial aid to affected traders after each incident, the government opted for a more sustainable solution: constructing a modern market designed to prevent future fire outbreaks. This proactive approach has successfully eliminated the recurring problem, demonstrating the governor's commitment to impactful governance.

“

But thinking outside the box to do things that people don’t actually expect that impact on them and what they do is what life is all about. That is what service is for.

This stance resonates with a growing demand from citizens for tangible improvements in their living conditions. Governor Sule's critique serves as a call to action for leaders across Nigeria to move beyond superficial pronouncements and focus on delivering substantive solutions that genuinely enhance the lives of their constituents. The emphasis on innovative, impactful leadership is a narrative that resonates deeply within Nigeria, where citizens often feel that basic services are not consistently delivered, let alone innovative solutions.

“

We resolved that we must build a modern market that we will not wake up to discover get burnt again. Since the time we rebuilt it, we have not heard one single report that the market got burnt again.