By Tenimu Musa Nasidi
Alhaji Sulaiman Baba Ali, is a one time commissioner of health from 1999-2003. A Chieftain of APC in Kogi State and the Leader of the party in Lokoja/ Kogi federal Constituency, has contributed immensely to the success of the party at the just concluded Gubernatorial Election.
As Chairman, Sulaiman Baba Ali Foundation (SBA), an apolitical organisation created to give helping hands to the vulnerable and provide employment opportunities for the youths, he has built bridges of unity across the three senatorial districts and religious lines, thus, contributing heavily to the evolution of our democracy and philanthropic in Lokoja and Kogi state.
It is safe to say that SBA, as he is fondly referred to, has advanced the cause of the less privileged, youths, women and the vulnerable since the inception of democracy in 1999.
As a technocrat, patriotic politician and traditional title holder of Gabi of Lokoja, and Matawalle Arewan Nupe Kingdom, Sulaiman Baba Ali has also set up and managed successful businesses that provided employment to teaming youths across the state before he joined politics where he provided employment to hundreds of Kogites at Kogi state Ministry of health, when he held sway as a commissioner between 1999-2003
As a strategists and philanthropists, Baba Ali has blazed the trail in bringing standards to politics in Lokoja Kogi federal Constituency and Kogi state, as his reach has helped thousands of underprivileged persons with access to a better life irrespective of tribe, religion and districts,where he used the opportunity afforded by Allah to engaged thousands of Lokoja youths in para-military services.
His success story in public life, business, politics and philanthropy speaks to the core values of hard work, determination, courage, industry, patriotism, tolerance and a generous commitment to giving back to society.
SBA’s loyalty and dedication to duties assigned him by his then principals, Late Governor Abubakar Audu and his former boss, and friends, His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola, and his performances in office is a decision many say is a masterstroke: finally, nailing to some measure the unemployment and poverty coffins among our community.
Though far from being perfect, like most human, his life in very many ways provides a good lesson that his peers, and aspiring leaders and politicians, particularly the youths can emulate from.
And it is for these reasons that his nomination as the leader of the ruling APC in Lokoja /Kogi federal Constituency received wide applauds by Kogites, irrespective of political and religion affiliations. The goodwill messages on the occasion of his appointment were many, cutting across party, religious and tribal lines.
The defections of leaders and their teaming supporters of PDP in Lokoja and Kogi Local Government areas to APC ahead of November 11 Governorship election was attributed to the quality of leadership of Alhaji Sulaiman Baba Ali: the defections which led to the overwhelming victory of APC in Lokoja the two Local Government with over 22 wards.
Philanthropically, the SBA Foundation,a brain Child of Baba Ali, provided revolving loan to over 300 vulnerable women the gesture received commendations ranges from APC, PDP chieftains, traditional and religious leaders, who all acknowledged SBA’s contributions towards reducing poverty and unemployment among the people of his constituents and beyond.
For instance, the Oba Yoruba Community in Lokoja, HRH Chief Audu Oke, called him a patriot and a leader whose service to humanity is noteworthy. The Maiyaki of Lokoja, Alhaji Aliyu Lawal Jiya, described him as a detribalised leader, political icon and philanthropist.
While speaking with Newsmen in Lokoja recently the Dokaji of Lokoja, Architect Kilani Hassan, described Baba Ali as a dear brother, a man of faith, a patriotic son of Lokoja and a leader of substance.
Hassan further to stressed that with the recruitment of our teaming youths into Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire service and Nigeria Correctional services.
“There is no gain saying the fact that Hon. Sulaiman Baba Ali has carved a niche for himself as a dogged and uncompromising fighter for democracy, justice, honesty, fairness, equity and equality,Ali to Lokoja community is like Sadauna to the northern region.
You have become the indisputable, indefatigable architect and icon of contemporary Lokoja politics and a mentor to countless young politicians today.” dokaji said.
Similarly, a traditional ruler from the Eastern part of the state, who doesn’t want his name in print, while felicitating with Baba Ali on his 61 years birthday, had this to say on the character and contributions of Sulaiman Bab Ali towards human development.
“Ali’s recent political partnership, particularly with the people of Kogi state, will not only propel the state to the highest pedestal of development, it will bring the state out of the economic woods to state of prosperous and development, especially with the recent emergence of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as governor -elect whom he worked tirelessly to see him emerge victorious.”
According to him, the partnership have raised and restored the hope of the vulnerable and downtrodden Kogites who view it as a preferred destination.
It is a shared consensus by many analysts that Hon. Baba Ali, who aspired to become Governor of Kogi state in 2014 APC primary election, is one of the very few leading politicians with an appeal that is truly national.
As APC Leader, Ali cultivated a very good relationship with the politicians, civil servants and masses alike.
His capacity for accommodation and understanding no doubt endeared him to the teeming youths, women and elders of Lokoja Local and Kogi state.
Hon Sulaiman Baba Ali has over three decades of being in the public spotlight shown that his brand of politics is not defined by any tribal or religious imperial agenda and that he is not a religious bigot, though a devout Muslim, there is no tinge of fanaticism in his actions.
Those who know him attest to his ability to work very well with Christians and the premium he places on merit over religious and other sentimental considerations.
Ali is as much at home in the East, Central and as he is in the western senatorial district of Kogi state.
He has a huge network of friends in politics and business across the three senatorial districts of the state and the country at large. These power networks span all shades, tribe and religion.
In a highly polarised political system such as ours, it is difficult to find such a high profile politician cum philanthropist who has successfully maintained without contradiction a wholly state outlook like Alhaji Sulaiman Baba Ali,popularly known as SBA.
He remains a model for appropriate political positioning for Nigerian politicians, especially those who desire to lead.
At 61, he has stood out and championed unbiased views that is not only acknowledged and reflects the growing tensions in parts of the state before the emergence of Governor Yahaya Bello in 2016, it has also proffered practical solutions to the Kogi diversity that there are still men of stupendous goodwill, cutting across districts, tribe, in the mould of Hon. Sulaiman Baba Ali, the Gabi of Lokoja and Matawalle Arewan Nupe Kingdom.
Suleiman Baba Ali exemplary leadership earned him respect, a progressive and brilliant politician, who has made history as the first APC leader to delivered his federal Constituency consist of two local government areas with 21 wards to APC governorship candidate, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Since his emergence as APC Leader, SBA has displayed commitment, passion, and visionary leadership in assisting the APC and the ruling administration the ship of Kogi state in the right direction, which is evident in the just concluded Gubernatorial Election
”As you celebrates 61st birthday, I pray that God will continue to preserve and grant you good health and sound mind to enable you to render more service to Lokoja community, the good people of Kogi, and humanity as a whole. Ameen