Hajiya Fati Maitalle Tara,
contributed a personal donation of 1 million naira out of her business savings
to General Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign when he visited Kebbi state. She tells Leadership……..
Hajiya Fati, a popular business woman in Koko, Koko local government of Kebbi State, had made a personal donation of N1million to General Buhari’s campaign when he visited the state out of her business savings. This is despite her other contributions which ran into millions of naira for the success of APC in the state.
Hajiya Fati, a popular business woman in Koko, Koko local government of Kebbi State, had made a personal donation of N1million to General Buhari’s campaign when he visited the state out of her business savings. This is despite her other contributions which ran into millions of naira for the success of APC in the state.
LEADERSHIP Sunday was in
Koko and met the 95 years old woman, who despite her immense contributions to
what she termed a worthy cause, seemed unassuming. Calmly seated by her pots
containing variety of soups in her restaurant in Koko, she narrated why she
endured for many hours at the airport despite her old age to see Buhari and why
she made such a huge financial sacrifice for his success at the polls.
According to Hajiya,
“I
was a contractor at that time. When Buhari took over, I executed a contract at
a school in Gummi, now Zamfara State, worth about N40,000. Payment for the job
done was denied me by the then Sokoto State government. I took a loan from
several people just to execute the contract. But under Buhari, a committee was
set up for verification which objectively inspected the project and recommended
immediate payment without any kick back. I constructed two blocks of
classroomsbut because the then government did not want to pay me, they accused
me of conniving with the engineer to carry out substandard work. But as I said,
Buhari’s committee came and verified my work as one of the best and I got paid
eventually,” she
said.
Hajiya Fati recounted how
the verification of her contract was carried out with honesty by the committee
members. “Yes, at that time during Buhari’s regime, honesty and transparency
were the order of the day. One of the committee members used a digger to hit
the blocks I had constructed with several times but it showed no sign of
cracking and he said “this is a good work,” she said.
“I
have respect for Buhari, for his honesty and discipline and for that, I always
dream of his leadership style again in Nigeria where corruption would seize and
discipline would be restored in the society,” she added. Fati further explained
that time has never wavered her love and support for Buhari and she has
followed his political journey from ANPP, CPC and now APC with keen interest.
“My late son, Lawali and I have made several sacrifices to the success of
Buhari’s career both morally and financially. When Buhari was denied the
leadership of this country in 2011 under the platform of ANPP, I decided not to
take keen interest in politics again, but any time the name Buhari comes up
again for president, I jump back on the train for a better Nigeria. I completely
trust him to turn around our fortunes in this country”.
Apart from her financial
contributions to his campaigns, she has
also succeeded in converting many supporters of PDP to join the APC.
“The people here know it
and they can testify to that as I am talking to you now, APC has overrun Koko
99%”.
The old woman was
respectfully and gently treated at the airport when Governor Wamakko of Sokoto
State greeted her and ushered her to see Buhari on his arrival. Upon landing,
Buhari himself headed straight to greet Hajiya Fati.
When asked how she felt
when he greeted her warmly, she simply said,
“He is a man of the people.
I was offered a seat near him. We greeted with joy, happiness and I said,
“Baba, you have come”, he replied “yes” and I said “God bless you! Carry on
with your goodintentions for the people” and he said “I will”. Thereafter, we
snapped a photo together,” she said smiling.
Hajiya Fati Mai Talle Tara
does not charge a kobo at her catering services when ever the APC is having any
event in Koko area. She is also said to give special discounts during the visit
of Buhari to Kebbi.
Hajiya’s advise to
Nigerians:
“My
fervent wish for Nigeria is to receive General Buhari not only in Kebbi, but
all over the country to experience the rebirth we desperately need. I believe
the man to take Nigeria to the promised land is Buhari, my politics is simply
for Buhari till my life ends.”
Hajiya Fati is well known
in Koko town for her restaurant business. According to her, she started food
selling twenty years ago but she was into trading with her late son long before
she ventured into restaurant business. According to Hajiya, she has fifteen
children and many grand-children. Despite her age, she shows no sign of slowing
down.
Her final words to people,
“Change
comes with time and Buhari personifies the change we need at this point in
time. He is the change we are all clamouring for. I prayed for Buhari and asked
clerics to do same and the result is manifesting, Buhari’s enemies have now
become his lovers”, adding “Do you know why I still like Buhari? He stands for
truth and bears the name of my late father,” she concluded, smiling.
Leadership
So appreciative Hajiya.
ReplyDeleteVery touching. I pray for Nigeria to get it please.............
ReplyDeleteArdent follower
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