By; BALA B. BITRUS, Minna
For Ambassador Zubairu Dada, the sole ministerial nominee from Niger State, his inclusion in the names of ministerial nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari may have thrown open a plethora of reactions from his immediate environment with some being favourably disposed to the shortlist and others against his nomination.
While the powers that be may have favoured Zubairu Dada, his nomination may have ignited the bile in some people, organizations and interest blocks within the state.
Amidst praises, cheers and messages of felicitation from well wishers, Zubairu Dada is at the same time having his inclusion on the ministerial hopeful list being challenged by a sweltering opposition at home, from his zone B Senatorial Constituency and the governing All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the state.
A swelling camp of those opposed to his selection and nomination are spoilt for a showdown as they sent out their strongly worded message demanding immediate substitution of the nominee’s name to the governing All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the state and to the Presidency.
Though ambassador Zubairu Dada was screened last week by the Senate, the governing APC in the state appears somewhat uncomfortable with his inclusion in the names of nominees.
Sources close to the party in the state alleged that the ministerial nominee is not a bona fide member of the party in the state.
Similarly, some members of his senatorial district, the Niger zone B are kicking against picking him or any person from Paiko on the grounds that Paiko where Zubairu Dada hails from produced the present senator representing the Niger zone B at the senate.
Ambassador Dada, a technocrat, a mobilizer and a former envoy was born in 1952 at Paiko in Niger state.
He served as Information Officer II in defunct North Western states, Sokoto (1974-1975).
He attended the defunct Fatima Secondary School, Minna (1965 – 1969) and the Ahmadu Bello University (1971 – 1974) as well as the University of Jos (1990 to 1991.
He was Director General, (DG) MAMSER in Niger state (1992 – 1993) Director General, National Orientation Agency, (NOA) in Niger state from 1993 to 2003.
He was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Poland (1999 – 2003) and later Nigeria’s ambassador to Mozambique between 2003 to 2007.
But the President of FOSA, the acronym of his former secondary school, (the Fatima Secondary School, Minna) now Fr. O’Connell Secondary School, Dr. Godwin Ashituwabe, described the selection of ambassador Zubairu Dada as ministerial nominee as well deserved because of his excellent track records in public service.
While felicitating with Zubairu Dada, the President of FOSA commended the foresight of those who picked Dada and expressed optimism that Nigeria would benefit from Zubairu Dada’s wealth of experience, commitment to services and his resolve for goal.
