(Opinion) Kwara central chooses to do it differently with Saliu Mustapha: Busayo David

The saying that bad people are well known than the good has been overly true. But we must still accept the reality: any society that will experience growth must cultivate the habit of promoting the good ones often.

In this light, we bring to you, Saliu Mustapha; a philanthropist and a grassroots politician.

Saliu Mustapha is the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senatorial candidate for Kwara Central who also doubled as holder of the chieftaincy title of Turaki of Ilorin Emirate.

You might want to view him as the usual Nigerian politician, but it would interest you to know that since he ventured into the murky waters of politics in the early 21st century, despite his high records in philanthropical gestures and other social empowerments, he has never held a political position under any government until recently when he won his party’s ticket to run as the senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC, in Kwara’ Central District.

His Foundation has powered quite, many residents of ILORIN through the Foundation Empowerment Programmes, with the sole aim of achieving his desire to create a society and community where everyone, no matter the circumstances of their birth, feels sufficiently empowered to cater for their daily needs and that of their families or dependants.

Salihu Mustapha Foundation was incorporated about 15 years ago to help the less privileged and support the government in eradicating poverty among the populace.

Recently, out of his commitment to education, he made a donation of five million naira (N5 million) to the department of Creative Art, Kwara State University, Malete to support creativity and artistic practical works in the department.

Recently, he had paid a visit to the victims of the fire disaster at Alanamu Market in Ilorin, the state’s capital. He did not only sympathized with the victims of the fire disaster but empathized with them by ordering an immediate commencement of the reconstruction of the burnt block of shops and also asked the leadership of the market, to make the names of the direct victims available to him for financial aid to help restart their businesses.

This kind gesture had attracted commendations from the market men and women, with the president of the Alanamu Market Association, describing Turaki’s philanthropic activism as predating his entry into politics.

Sometimes last month, Saliu Mustapha, said, “I will use my understanding of national politics to bring dividends of democracy to Kwara central”. Well, what more could be expected from a leader per excellence?
Of course, nothing but a realistic vision. No wonder, his common slogan is “doing things differently”.
He indeed is the perfect candidate to represent the interest of Kwara Central in the Senate Chamber.

Saliu Mustapha ventured into politics in the early 21st century when he became the first national publicity secretary of the Progressive Action Congress(PAC), an obsolete party that contested in the 2003 general election. He later became a member of ANPP and a strong tower for Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential ambition. In 2009, he became the deputy chairman of Congress for Progressive Change(CPC); a breakaway faction of ANPP led by Muhammadu Buhari. He held this position until a coalition government, involving CPC and other tendencies came together to form what is known today as the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mustapha was born on the 25th of September, 1972 in Ilorin, Kwara state. He had his primary education in Zaria, and his secondary and higher education in Kaduna. Having the best interest of Kwarans in mind, he came back and decided to represent our interest in the house of senates. What a heart!

 

I’ll not stop saying this, Mustapha is a leader per excellence. People who worked with him while he was the Deputy Chairman of the CPC have testified to his rare breed and abilities at bridge-building.

Over the years, Saliu Mustapha has proven his leadership expertise which earned him the slogan: “doing things differently.”

Saliu Mustapha; a man of the people.

 

_Busayo David writes from Ilorin, Kwara State_