Nalaraba’s vision for FCE (T) Keana and quality representation

Since the creation of Nasarawa state in 1996, and the subsequent resturn to democracy in 1999, the Alago nation, particularly the democratically conscious people of Keana/Awe/Doma federal constituency of Nasarawa state, have elected different personalities as their representatives in the House of Representatives. From Barrister Musa Elayo Abdullahi (Magajin Garin Keana) elected in 1999, who spend only few months before he was appointed by President Olusgun Obasanjo as minister of state for justice, to Hon.Tanko Zubairu who succeeded him to Dr.Shuaibu Hashimu Abdullahi, then to Hon Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo.

But never in the history of Keana/Awe/Doma federal constituency have the people been so lucky to elect a performer and a visionary who is passionate about the development of his people like in 2019 and 2023. They elected Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba (Sadaukin Lafia) to the National Assembly. He has continued to make them proud with his brand of representation anchored on love for his people and passion for development and humanity. He has so far proved to be a true son of his father who lived, loved and died for his people. 

Nalaraba is a worthy representative who knows what is good his people deserve and can go to any length within the ambit of the law to get it for them even if it means going into the lion’s den to bring the trophy back home for his people. His leadership acumen and penchant for producing result whenever entrusted with public office continue to endear him to the hearts of his people who see him as their messiah true to his Alago name “ASENESHI “, meaning an exceptionally good man; this makes him an attractive bride ahead of the 2027 Nasarawa state governorship election.

In the last five years of his representation, Nalaraba has achieved what his predecessors put together couldn’t achieve since the return to democracy in 1999. He has succeeded to re-write the development history of his people and take the dividends of democracy to their doorsteps with his people-centric and result-oriented representation that is second to none in the history of the constituency targeted at not only tackling the challenges of the present but also securing the future of generations. Unlike his predecessors who were bench warmers collecting humongous allowances, Nalaraba’s legislative approach is leaving a legacy that will stand the test of time and outlive generations.

Hon. Abubakar Aseneshi Nalaraba, a graduate of economics from the Bayero University Kano (BUK), is a soft spoken and calm looking gentleman, born into a reputable and highly respected family of the late Chiroman Keana, Alh. Hassan Nalaraba an elderstatesman and community leader known for his philanthropy, moral rectitude and proud legacy of committed and dedicated service to humanity and development. 

Nalaraba started his politics from his university days which saw him contesting for the SUG president of BUK, thus shaping his politics and moulding him into a grassroots politician, working with other stakeholders to mentor many political leaders. He cut his political teeth in 2007, when he contested for the House of Assembly but lost. He still lost in 2011, but his then party, the CPC, won the governorship election in the state which produced Tanko Al-Makura. 

His political commitments to the victory of the party endeared him to Al-Makura who appointed him as the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board. He performed credibly and was re-appointed for the second term. His unprecedented achievements, competency, capacity and credibility in the discharged of his responsibilities left the people of his constituency with no option than to drag him to the House of Representatives race at the end of his eight years tenure as executive secretary. He won his election into the green chamber in 2019 and 2023. 

In 2019, Nalaraba left no one in doubt that his mission in the National Assembly is to give his people result-oriented representation that is second to none in the history of the state. He attracted federal projects to his constituency, ending the jinx of bad representation in the constituency and giving his people a voice in national affairs. Within his five years in office, he has changed the development trajectory of his people with his superlative performance through impactful projects, and interventions. He embarked on massive construction of roads across the three local government areas of his constituency, renovation of schools, building classrooms, community town hall, provision of water, youths and women empowerment programmes, among many other life saving projects across his constituency. 

To further give his people a better and sustainable future, Nalaraba initiated and sponsored a bill for the establishment of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Keana, despite being a first timer in the National Assembly. He threaded where more tested lawmakers could’nt. Many people didn’t give him a chance to succeed with this bill which they described as over-ambitious dream that is dead on arrival, given that since the creation of Nasarawa state, no lawmaker has ever succeeded with this kind of bill hence their reservations. 

But despite the antics of doubting Thomases and cynics, he remained resolute and focused and succeeded in getting the institution established within four years of his term. Today, in his own eyes and to the disbelief of most people the bill has not only been signed into law but the institution has officially taken off. Speaking exclusively to Blueprint on what he went through to get the institution established, Abubakar Nalaraba said, “This is the greatest legacy I am leaving for my people and generations yet unborn and I am grateful to Allah for making it possible for me to actualise this dream many considered impossible. I now understand better why most lawmakers spend years in the National Assembly without a single bill to their names.”