http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/i-have-a-working-master-plan-for-kogi-dr-habeeb/Dr. Yaqeen Habeeb, is a gubernatorial aspirant on the
platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in forthcoming
Kogi gubernatorial election. He tells DEBORAH DIDI in this
interview that he will run an all-inclusive, people-oriented
government when he becomes the governor of Kogi State.
Excerpts:
Why are you leaving banking job for murky water of Nigeria
politics?
I have been reshaping today for a brighter tomorrow while
taking a cue from the past. As an ardent believer in training
and building people and assigning them responsibilities
through effective delegation for the creation of an
incorruptible, efficient, resilient and responsive service
system, my antecedents in the banking hall will be further
utilised to galvanise Kogi State to a truly working state.
Haven being engaged in numerous community development
and award programmes, fighting for the oppressed and
believing in a systemic economic improvement, the truth is
that we cannot all sit down to watch the state being
underdeveloped. I believe it is a moral duty for me to come to
the rescue of my people and bring development to a state
that has never witnessed development since its creation. My
desire is to leave a landmark in the history of time. That is
why I have to leave my lucrative job of banking to serve
humanity.
Also, God has endowed me with leadership and intellectual
abilities which I want to put to the service of humanity. My
experiences of how many countries like Malaysia, Singapore
and India developed will be brought to bear in developing
Kogi State. Such service of massive human and socio-
economic development for a whole state cannot be achieved
by remaining on my banking job.
Are you not afraid of politicians like former Governor
Abubakar Audu?
I have only God the Creator to fear. My focus is the trans­
formation of Kogi State to a developed state that all my
people home and abroad will be proud of and I am very
resolute to achieve that.
I have a dream and a vision that cannot be thwarted by any
individual and there is a ray of light at the dark end of the
tunnel as I offer myself to serve my people. I am well ac­
quainted with the sufferings and aspirations of our people. I
believe that we must not allow our generation to be tagged a
“wasted generation”.
Now is the time to make real the dividends of democracy. Now
is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of
servitude to the sun-lit path of prosperity and liberation.
Now is the time to lift our state from the quick sand of
injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. It would be fatal
for the people of Kogi State to overlook the urgency of the
moment. We all have a job to do – to save Kogi people from
doldrums and give them hope and basic amenities to make
life more meaningful.
No one person can do it alone. It is a collective effort.
Suggestion boxes shall be introduced in every local govern­
ment headquarters with constant town and city meetings to
carry the grass-roots along. If there is one thing I have
learnt in this life, it is that when a people are propelled by a
strong will, anchored firmly on a vision and set goals, they
will definitely succeed. Kogi State, with the right people like
me in government, can serve as a model state in Nigeria.
What is new that Kogi people should expect from you?
I will be happy to keep seeing array of distinguished Kogi sons
and daughters active in all sectors of the economy, I feel
energised and strengthened in my belief that we shall all
collectively expel poverty, misery and squalor from the state.
As the National Chairman of an international non-
governmental organisation, NGO, Humanity First, HF, which is
engaged in life-saving services to humanity, we have drilled
boreholes in Lagos, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Osun, Niger and
Borno states. Many people have regained their sights through
the free eye surgery sponsored by the organisation. I
currently run scholarship schemes for primary and
secondary schools in Aiyegunle Gbedde, where I awards 30
scholarships yearly for six year running to primary, JSS and
SSS and at Al-Azhar International College, Lokoja.
I can do much more if given the mandate. As the resource
person to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal
Committee, RMAFC, of the Constitutional Conference, I
proved my mettle there that the chairman of the committee
wrote to me stating: “Your contributions to the success of the
committee in this national assignment are highly
appreciated; …it is hoped that you will respond with equal
enthusiasm, dedication and consciousness any time in the
future you are called upon to serve this country.”
Furthermore, as a consistent and loyal member of APC, a
grass-root mobiliser, a prudent manager of human and
material resources, a man of high integrity, reputation, I am
indeed the all-round developmental change spirit and agent
the people of Kogi deserve.
In a meeting with Kogi indigenes in the United State of
American last week, where they promised to give me their
support, I assured them of our administration’s plan to
empower the citizens economically to have streams of income
to sustain them beyond one generation.
We are going to do things differently and will not be waiting
for months still thinking of what to do. I will hit the ground
running from day one. I just want to appeal to our people
not to sell their votes and conscience for moneybags who will
be looking for ways to get back what they spent in manifold.
When I become the governor; I will set up industries to create
employment opportunities starting with the Ajaokuta Steel
Mill. We will build medical tourism centre in Kogi with all
necessary infrastructures in place. I am deeply interested in
developing the state. We have been doing this before now on a
small scale and just want to do it on a larger scale. Integrity
has been my watchword and many people have attested to
this. It is not just about campaign promises but my words are
my bonds. Knowledge is very key to governance and this I also
have; you cannot give what you do not have. The experience is
there and I am ready to use this in developing my state.
We already have a master plan. I have already outlined my
action plan for the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Mill.
We will require about N200 billion to revive Ajaokuta and this
will not be difficult to do considering the huge benefits that
will accrue from the project. Apart from raising bond,
another way to revamp Ajaokuta is to go to the Central Bank
of Nigeria, CBN, and seek for an intervention fund.
Also, I have met with people outside the country who are
leading steel industries owners in the world and they are
ready to come and run it. So once you put up these three, all
you need is to work closely with the Federal Government to
see the benefits for Nigeria, for my state and everybody.
These are the options; let us pick the one that is the best.
It is a moral duty for me to come to the rescue and bring
development to a state that has never witnessed development
since its creation.
The problem with the previous efforts to revive the Ajaokuta
Steel Mill is lack of patriotism and political will to execute the
project.
Just like many Kogi people home and abroad are calling for
change, I am hoping that my people will not be tempted again
by moneybags who are only interested in what they will get in
return but are not truly out to serve the people and develop
the state.

Dr Yaqeen A Habeeb