SBA: THE UNSUNG PATRIOT (1)

Since after declaring his intention to run for the gubernatorial race of Bauchi State, more versions of speculations started emanating, some are blemish, antagonising and calumny. Meanwhile, some come clean to imprint a good Image of the retired General of the Nigeria Airforce. The political spectrum of Bauchi State has been built on certain pillars that guide the moves, the outcome as well as the roads to fruition, which is why it is very much unpredictable to determine the outcome of every spear in the Bauchi State politics being it a more complex than understood by the outsiders. 

Myriad of his oppugnant believe that SBA does not qualify to have the APC ticket for 2023 race, they may have their reasons for saying that, many which are baseless accusations built on hearsay and speculations, inferences and assumptions that being him a retired General what did he have to offer that will beat the imagination of the people to trust him with their mandate? SBA has been the untold story to the people of Bauchi State, many of his antecedents have been unknown to the people, an untold story of one patriotic Nigerian that served diligently to secure this country. It is well known and clear that, the retired Air Marshall did make us proud and will be the most remembered Air chief in the history of Nigeria.

Premium times Newspaper in their report of 19 November 2019 did make the following testimony...

"The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is awaiting the delivery of 18 aircraft to boost its air asset.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, an air marshal, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day capacity building workshop on Strategic Communications on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters, Kingsley Lar, an air vice-marshal, noted that the unflinching support of the federal government has enabled the Service to acquire 19 brand new platforms.

He said the NAF had also reactivated 20 erstwhile unserviceable aircraft, while another 18 aircraft have also been ordered and awaiting delivery.

Mr Abubakar said the Service had executed over 900 infrastructure projects including office and residential accommodations, messes and recreational facilities as well as schools and hospitals, amongst others.

“We have been able to raise accommodation sufficiency from 35 per cent in 2015 to about 72 per cent today. This is even though the strength of the Service has almost doubled within the same time frame.”

 The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is awaiting the delivery of 18 aircraft to boost its air asset.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, an air marshal, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day capacity building workshop on Strategic Communications on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Abubakar, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters, Kingsley Lar, an air vice-marshal, noted that the unflinching support of the federal government has enabled the Service to acquire 19 brand new platforms.

He said the NAF had also reactivated 20 erstwhile unserviceable aircraft, while another 18 aircraft have also been ordered and awaiting delivery.

Mr Abubakar said the Service had executed over 900 infrastructure projects including office and residential accommodations, messes and recreational facilities as well as schools and hospitals, amongst others.“We have been able to raise accommodation sufficiency from 35 per cent in 2015 to about 72 per cent today. This is even though the strength of the Service has almost doubled within the same time frame.”

UNTOLD CONTRIBUTIONS TO BAUCHI STATE

 In Bauchi State, his primary constituency, the vision and footprints he has made to impact his presence on the people cannot be overemphasised. "Chief" (as we fondly call him) has distinguished himself to be among the best Sons of the soil ever produced in the State, the people that he touched, hundreds if not thousands of lives to make the living and still being comfortable enjoying the gesture of his magnanimity. In his 35 years of service in the Nigeria Airforce, SBA has been the source of life to many, he has stood to have provided life to many to become self-reliant. He has distinguished himself as the recruiter of our people into the service of the Nigeria Airforce, today, many uncountable people are serving as officers and men of the NAF courtesy of Sadique Baba Abubakar.

The NAF BASE In Bauchi was a gigantic project that has been the top priority of SBA as he assumed the mantle of the NAF, the State of the Art Base to convert terrorism in Nigeria, equipped with modern facilities to enrich the base. One of the best in the country. Within the edifice, there is a model school, a medical centre with a more sophisticated health care system that brings succour to Bauchi State in healthcare delivery. Many have benefited from these health care facilities with a tremendous discount on almost everything. Apart from military personnel, the base also recruits civilian personnel to remedy its activities, hundred of indigenes are recruited and they doing well to make their living, courtesy of SBA.

If we are to speak of relevance, I believe, Sadique Abubakar is more than qualified to be the next governor of Bauchi State. 

In part two of this series article, I will speak more of the unsung hero that brought the name for his State. 

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