Kwara At 53 : Saraki's Legacy - Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Just like his father Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s journey into politics as marked a giant stride in the re-awakening of political consciousness across the state, the nation and the world at large.

He as since kicked off from where ‘oloye’ stopped with his philantropical activities ,running of the prestigious ‘ile arugbo’ and grown the Saraki dynasty to a position of great repute.

He can be described as the great ‘iroko’ tree that have survived countless ‘hackings’ from opposition, betrayal and deceit from disloyal faithfuls, yet his trunk still houses alot of faithfuls ,stays strong  and care for a lot of kwarans.

The Senate President of the eight Assembly of the Federal republic of Nigeria is unarguably a brainiac and a genius in one whole package.

His youthfulness, vibrancy and innovative approach to politicking as earned him great love amongst Nigerian youths and across the world - he is regarded by thousands of politicians as their mentor irrespective of party affiliation.

Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki became the governor of Kwara State in the 2003 general electon where he gained tremendeous acceptance and support from his late father, Saraki oloye, as his foundly called, meaning Saraki the leader.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki is a Nigerian politician born into the family of late Olusola Abubakar Saraki popularly called ‘Saraki Oloye’ in the year 1962.19,December to be precise in the UK.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki is a Nigerian politician who was the President of the Nigerian Senate from 2015-2019 and headed the Eight National Assembly with great vibrancy amidst political ‘hackings and slashings’- a true warrior.

Dr, Abubakar Bukola Saraki attended Corona school,VI,Nigeria,he proceededto King’s College ,Lagos then to Cheltenham College United Kingdom in 1981,subsequently,he earned an M.B.B.S from London Hospital Medical College of University of London in 1987 (entrepreneurs.ng)

Dr. Abubakar Bukola saraki’s journey into politics started when former President Olusegun Obasanjo  appointed him as special assistance to the President on budget and as a special assistance,he initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill

Subseuently,he served on the Economic Policy Co-ordination Committee and formulated some key economic policies for Nigeria.

A great football fan,he was conferred with the Cheiftancy tittle ‘The Turaki of Fulani emirate ‘ while serving as the Governor of Kwara State.

And in 2018,he was bestowed with the tittle ‘the wairi’ of Ilorin  by the Emir of Ilorin,Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,a post last held by his father.

He was elected the governor of kwara state-twice,under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),he served between 2003 – 2011

In 2011,Saraki was elected Senator representing  Kwara Central Senatorial District under PDP,on assumption into office he was appointed Chairman,Senate committee on Environment and Ecology.

He was re-elected unopposed under the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the President of the Senate.

Some of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s official appointments includes;

1.     Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum 2007-2011

2.     Appointed into the Leadership council of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves,2012

3.     Appointed the Ambassador-at-Large of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC),2019

 

Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been awarded and recognized within and outside his state of origin

 

*   In 2010 he became the first serving Nigerian Governor to be awarded the National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)

*  Governor of the year,This Day Newspapers ,2004

*  Best Governor of the year in Agricultural Development,City People KSNG,2004/2005

*  Africa Club Award,Havard Business School,2005

*  Best Governor in Africa,Kenneth Kaunda Foundation,2006

*  Man of the Year,Osun State Broadcasting Corporation,2006

*  Grand Patron,Nigeria Referee Association,2007

*  Best Governor on Food Security,This Day Newspapers,2008

*  Life Fellowship,All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS),2009

*  Outstanding Governor on Energy,Nigerian Compass Newspaper,2009

*  Emerging Tiger of Nigeria (Leadershp Award),This Day Newspaper,2010

*  Award of Excellence, College of  Medicine ,University of Lagos,2012

*  Good Ambassador of North Central Zone,Radio Television,Theatre and Art Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU),2014

*  Man of the 21st Century ,National Association of Nigerian Students (NAN),2016

*  Outstanding Leadership Award,Governor of Kwara State,Abdulfatah Ahmed,2017

*  Award of Excellent Leadership,Association of Maritime Jouralist of Nigeria (AMCON),2018

*  Outstanding Politician of the Year,Sun Newspaper,2018

*  Politician of the Year,New Telegraph Award ,2018

And many more