Mariya Mahmoud the Quintessential Minister Of State FCT
By Abdul Jelil Adebayo
Dr. Mahmoud Mariya, the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory FCT is not a novice in government or in administration as she came prepared after just leaving commissionership in Kano.
She has been tested and found capable hence her elevation to a Minister.
The 45 year old Mariya is noted for her commitment to hardwork, loyalty to duty in ensuring that those targets of her principal are met.
She is an unassuming politician that believes any position you find yourself, put in the best so that posterity might be kind when history is being recalled.
As a former commissioner in Kano state in charge of Higher Education, she has been able to manage her time effectively and prioritize workload through premium service delivery hence Abuja will not be different.
Leaders are born and not made. Today, Dr Mariya Mahmoud is shaking hands again with destiny with her becoming Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where she has slowly but steadily climbed the ladder of success leaving a trail of a remarkable achievements.
As the new Minister of State for FCT she is expected, going by her antecedents, to hit the ground running. She has to take into consideration a tour of the six Area Councils of the FCT so as to get first hand assessment of what are on the ground.
She is a young woman in a hurry but resolute to write her own history. She bowed to the overpowering zeal to serve humanity. Her strength of character and no-nonsense reputation for getting results has made this passionate political amazon from Kano state to prove that success is no respecter of gender but favours hard work, tenacity and purpose. She proved that as a commissioner in her home state.
Success is not accidental, neither is it served a la carte; you have to go for it! Either you are a man or woman, young or old, the only thing that separates leaders from others, winners from losers, is their dedication and perseverance in bringing true change into anything they do.
She represents a new age of politicians who are deploying their technocrat expertise in creating innovative policies and taking the responsibility for effecting change in the society.
She has about five or six vital Secretariats under her purview. These are Social Development, Health, Agriculture, Satellite Towns, Area Councils Secretariats among others.
She is a team player one is told; hence she needs to motivate and encourage the various Secretariats to live up to their billing.
She is proving that she knows her onions, as at last week, she met with the Acting Secretaries of these Establishments with a promise to meet them individually to assess firsthand what the prospects and challenges are.
However before then, she should have it in mind that solutions are needed in the influx of beggars that litter the city centre.
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She also has to look at the issue of resettlement of indigenes that have become like a sore thumb. She has to ensure the implementation of a comprehensive plan to resolve all resettlement issues in the FCT. As at the last count, it is estimated that the FCT administration will need about N1trillion to put an end to the issue of resettlement in Abuja.
As for agriculture, she has to think of increasing food production by making sure the fertilizer reaches the right people at the grassroots. Most of the rural people in FCT are dominantly farmers.
On tourism, Mariya has to acknowledge the potential of the tourism sector in the area of job creation and lifting millions out of poverty in line with the presidential deliverables.
The tourism sector is one sector that the administration is absolutely interested in investing, given the fact that the nation’s projected population by 2050 would be about 450 million people, and with a projected huge population, it is important that all sectors are active in order to avoid crisis.
Looking at the Area Councils, she needs to have collaboration with the six chairmen of these local governments. She has to bring a working relationship between the FCTA and the councils, especially in the area of park and pay that both the Transportation Secretariat and AMAC are slugging it out as to who has the constitutional right to operate the system.
The relationship between the FCTA and the traditional rulers need to be strengthened as they play a major role in sustaining and maintaining peace and security in their abode.
At the Social Development Secretariat, she has to think of reducing the red-light zones and ensuring women and youth are gainfully engaged.
In the health sector, which she is overseeing, in an effort to deliver key health interventions and in line with primary healthcare, the minister of state has to ensure the establishment of a mandatory Universal Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme.
As a workaholic, it will not be too difficult for her to find a level playing ground for all to be involved in helping her to succeed as the junior minister.
It appears that even in her stride Dr. Mariya Mahmoud has already commenced efforts to stamp her feet in history as a woman who utilised her office to make a profound difference in the lives of the people, especially rural dwellers.
The unassuming daughter of Kano state from Bunkure local government. A diligent, family and public health Physician, and an erudite educationist, who is highly organized and efficient with a thorough and precise approach to engagements which has produced excellent results for her in her endeavour
Indeed, with a new dawn on the horizon, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud may well be marking an indelible footprint on the sands of time as an irrepressible Amazon of change and an astute administrator. You are welcome and the world is expecting much from you and wish you smooth sail.
Abdul is an Abuja based journalist and can be reached via [email protected]
