NEDC And Alkali's Honest Track Record
By; ENYO ABOH
Like him or hate him, Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali is not that nigerian public official that any typical Nigerian wants to encounter any day in life.
A man not given to verbosity or what the Hausa call- dogo turanci, he is a workaholic and a no-nonsense man when it comes to the discharge of his duties.
He has carved a niche for himself as a firm believer in the Nigeria project who will not sacrifice merit on the altar of mediocrity.
A tried, tested and seasoned administrator, technocrat and politician with an exhaustive background in governance and development, Alhaji Alkali was born in December 1942 in the ancient city of Kareto, Borno State.
A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he has gone through various training programs, specializing in administration and leadership.
At the twilight of democracy in 1979, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali was elected as the Executive Governor of Borno State, a tenure he completed with abundant demonstration of compelling leadership skills in 1983.
Today, Alhaji Alkali is the Managing Director, North Eastern Development Commission (NEDC), a position he has held since 2017 till date.
A proactive and tenacious personality, Alhaji Alkali has brought in several reforms and innovative changes, implementing numerous projects and programs aimed at rebuilding the Northeast region which has been ravaged by insurgency.
Alhaji Alkali inclusive governance programs has led to the execution of over 224 projects in education, health, agriculture, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and other social infrastructures that have direct impact on the people.
Acknowledging the imperatives of education to the people of North Eastern State, Alhaji Alkali prioritized the rapid development and sustainable growth of the sector, launching initiatives such as the Education Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships to over 20,000 beneficiaries annually.
In order to bring succour to a people ravished by the throes of insurgency and years of social neglect, he initiated various social infrastructural safety networks, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu's administration, to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), including resettlement programs, provision of agricultural inputs, and medical care.
His genuine inclination towards the survival of his people and a deliberate desire to enhance their welfare, especially their health needs, led Alhaji Alkali to construct a Molecular Laboratory at the Yobe State University,.
The state of the art medical facility id serving as a testing center for diseases like COVID-19 and Lassa fever which has claimed many lives within the region.
To cushion the traumatizing effect of water scarcity and availability of portable water, he has under the mandate of Renewed Hope, rehabilitated drinking water and sanitation facilities, benefiting over 1.3 million people in the region, and supported several and various agricultural initiatives to boost food production and economic growth.
The provision of educational support through the NEDC has also greatly enhanced service delivery and engendered innovative development in educational institutions and programs, improving access to quality education.
The implementation of diverse programs has enriched the living standard of the people of the region, created jobs and promoted entrepreneurship, providing training and starter packs to over 5,000 Information Communication Technology (ICT) trainees and empowering 5,000 women and youths on entrepreneurship.
Appreciating the deterrent positive effect of vocational skills to insurgency and hunger, Alhaji Alkali embarked on the training of 2,000 individuals in vocational skills in each of the 1,028 wards in the Northeast, as well as provided scholarships to over 20,000 beneficiaries annually.
The implementation and operationalization of the Integrated Agriculture Programme (IAP) has enhanced food production and provided support to smallholder farmers.
To ameliorate the suffering of Boko Haram victims, Alhaji Alkali initiated programs leading to the provision of healthcare services, including a free health insurance scheme for the Boko Haram victims.
With a heart of gold and an unshakeable commitment to humanity, Alhaji Alkali has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at empowering the vulnerable and revitalizing the socioeconomic fabric of the North-East. His leadership style is characterized by forthrightness, a quality that has earned him widespread respect and admiration.
Through his people oriented and focused leadership, the NEDC has carried out solid and durable infrastructures to improve the region's roads, buildings, and public facilities.
The superlative performance of Alhaji Alkali is a demonstration of his commitment to improving the lives of people in the Northeast region through the various initiatives and programs.
Indeed, these obvious signature breakthroughs is a reflection of the reputation garnered over the years by Alhaji Mohammed.
These include a transparent life of integrity and accountability in managing the resources of the commission, ensuring strict utilization to meet the needs of the common people. His forthrightness and the practical sincerity demonstrated by his leadership has also won him the admiration and respect of all, including President Tinubu.
His well-designed blueprint for the North-East region's development is adjudged to be second to none.
Alhaji Alkali has exhibited strong personal discipline, hard work and exemplary work ethic, he has also shown genuine commitment in carrying out his role, driving the commission's projects and interventions forward despite challenges, as well as executing durable and sustainable projects and programs that benefit the region and will benefit posterity.
In recognition of his steadfast leadership, undying faithfulness, patriotism and indefatigable quest to enhance the living standard and improve the well-being of the people of the North Eastern Region, Alhaji Alkali Goni has won several recognition from various stakeholders, including the Nigerian government and international organizations.
His proven upright character and ommitment to transparency and accountability has earned him praise from civil society groups, including, the North East Progressives Agenda (NEPA) and the North East Elders and Youth Peoples Forum (NEEYPF), two groups that have passed votes of confidence his transformational leadership and monumental strides in the region's reconstruction and development, and meritorious awards for exemplary leadership, these are; Lifetime Ambassador Award by Ethics and Integrity Organisation and the Exemplary Leadership Award by the North East Elders and Youth Peoples Forum.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Alhaji Alkali is a paragon of transformative leadership, embodying the perfect and undeniable mix of compassion, integrity, and visionary leadership.
His tenure as the Managing Director of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is so far marked by a relentless pursuit of progress, and strategic foresight, revealing a dogged leader determined to navigate the complexities of rebuilding a region ravaged by insurgency with unwavering dedication.
Under his stewardship, the NEDC has executed over 700 critical projects, transforming the lives of millions through infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and agricultural interventions. Alhaji Alkali's passion for education is particularly noteworthy, as evident in the commission's Mega Basic Schools Construction Program, which has built classrooms, laboratories, and hostels, providing thousands of young minds with access to quality education.
His ability to bring people together, foster partnerships, and mobilize resources has been instrumental in the commission's successes. Alhaji Alkali's legacy is one of hope, resilience, and determination, inspiring a brighter future for the North-East region.
With his leadership, the region is poised to stand tall, rebuilt from the ashes of conflict and adversity .
Indeed Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali, has proven through his character and conduct that he has an honest track record of public service.
Aboh wrote this piece from Gombe.
