AMB. SADIQ BABA ABUBAKAR AND HON. SADIYA UMAR FARUQ: THE DUO ARE MAKING HISTORY.

By

 Muwaffiq Fa'izu Saleh 

Amb. Baba Sadique Abubakar is known to all as the master repositioner of the Nigerian Air force because he has made it far better prepared in combating multiple fronts of war and most importantly, he has made it more apolitical. He has succeeded in inculcating the indispensable values of excellence, integrity, and sincere service delivery in the force. 

Further, into the successes he has recorded, one cannot pass without mentioning the provision of the much-needed leadership and necessary guidance for effective and efficient actions in curtailing the menace of the various terrorist groups in Nigeria. 

It could be recalled that after taking over the mantle of command and control of the NAF, this great man altered positively the story of the force by gradually creating highly professional and disciplined men and officers via capacity building for effective, efficient, and timely employment of Airpower in responding to the Nation's security needs. This giant stride gave rise to the successes of the much-needed operations (SHARAN DAJI, HADARIN DAJI, DIRAN MIKIYA) among others. The extent to which these operations yielded the required results is a sure pointer to show you what kind of leadership we had in the Nation's Air Force. 

To continue mentioning the successes recorded by Baba Sadique (popular name now) while he held sway as the CAS will take too many efforts you can imagine, and you will end up not having the full grasp of the whole story. 

It is on these notes, that celebrations upon celebrations filled the air for the excellent services he rendered while in office, and is considered to be the most celebrated CAS. 

Recently, Bauchi State indigenes and friends of the Air Marshal residing in the FCT organized a classic event, to celebrate yet again, his outstanding achievements and retirement from service. This event saw trouping attendance of many dignitaries from Bauchi and around the whole of Nigeria. The gathering was also blessed with his able wife and confidant, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq that made the outing more colorful and memorable. 

Out of their utter show of unprofessionalism, we saw a piece in the Punch newspaper where they alleged the Honourable minister via a group of inducing delegates which they said influenced the outcome of APC Governorship Primary. My people, for crying out loud, when will our media outfits learn to let go of unfounded stories that have no iota of truth and continue to diabolize their beautiful outings? Not only this, all other allegations against this great woman are not substantiated in any way and therefore, are just mischievous attempts to disparage her and the office she manages well and judiciously in a bad light. 

This woman offered herself to serve in one of the most important offices in the welfare and humanitarian relevance to the Nigerian masses. She has placed herself in the Amazonian league which saw the effective distribution of relief materials and succor to the vast majority of the Nigerian populace. All they do is make unfounded and unrealistic allegations against her, and each time, God has always vindicated the dedicated woman. We all saw how she was vindicated when the famous End-Sars saga opened up the COVID-19 relief materials which some heartless State Governors hid for reasons best known to them and Nigerians continued to blame her. These food items and consumables for COVID-19 relief were properly and judiciously distributed by the Hon. Minister enough to provide succour to the vast majority of Nigerians at the time of the pandemic. 

The one thing they (Baba Sadique and Hon. Sadiya) all have in common is the way and manner they all address these unfounded allegations in such a way as not to worry and get distracted from the good jobs they always embarked upon. Take, for instance, his wordings of recent, at that august event, he said: “As you know, 2022 is a year of intense political activities, our credentials have already made huge impacts on some politicians, leading them to embark on a desperate move to counter whatever we are set to achieve in the interest of our people."

“We are not bothered because we remain focused. Our intentions are noble and we will not be distracted in our desires to add values to our society,"  he added. 

What baffled them again, was her boldness and show of optimism that her husband, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (Rtrd), will be voted for and will be the Governor of Bauchi State in the 2033 election. "A clear conscience fears no accusation," they say. As a wife and confidant, knowing the popularity and support her husband has with his people, and the dedication which she is putting to help him, she did not hesitate to make such an optimistic view as to the success of her husband. 

Imagine excellence, integrity, and sincere dedication, coupled with the much-needed welfare and humanitarian gestures governing your State. That is a clear description of the duo of Amb. Baba Sadique Abubakar (Rtrd) and Hon. Sadiya Umar Farouq at the helm of affairs of Bauchi State, 2023 In Sha Allah. 

Muwaffiq writes from Bauchi.

muwaffiq005@gmail.com