A civic advocacy group, Transparency Watch, has urged Nigeria’s political elite to emulate the philanthropic and people-oriented leadership style of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, describing him as a model of selfless public service.
The group said Senator Yari has consistently leveraged his position and personal resources to improve the lives of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly in Zamfara State, through humanitarian interventions, youth empowerment and community development initiatives.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Cliff Richards and made available to The News Chronicle, Transparency Watch said Yari’s sustained commitment to public welfare distinguishes him from many politicians, adding that his interventions have had a lasting impact on thousands of beneficiaries.
According to the group, the former Zamfara State governor has continued to prioritise the wellbeing of his constituents by implementing programmes that cut across political and religious divides.
“After a careful assessment of the activities of privileged Nigerians, especially high-profile politicians, we are compelled to state that while many have failed to prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens, a few exceptional leaders stand out. Among them is Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, whose commitment to humanity and people-centred governance remains exemplary,” the statement said.
Transparency Watch highlighted several of Yari’s interventions, including the distribution of highly subsidised fertiliser to farmers and the provision of food items such as rice, millet, beans, sugar, sorghum, maize, wheat and semovita to vulnerable households, particularly during festive periods.
The group also commended Yari’s role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, saying he has used the office to champion improved access to potable water and sanitation infrastructure across communities, while continuing to support the expansion of solar-powered borehole projects in Zamfara.
It further praised the senator’s efforts to tackle youth unemployment, citing his recent sponsorship of dozens of young people from the six local government areas of Zamfara West for enlistment into the Nigerian Army.
Describing the initiative as life-changing, the group said the beneficiaries would remain grateful for the opportunities created through Yari’s intervention.
Transparency Watch urged other wealthy Nigerians and public office holders to adopt similar people-focused initiatives, stressing that true leadership is measured by the positive impact made on the lives of citizens rather than the accumulation of personal wealth.
“It is far more rewarding to deploy wealth and influence for the benefit of the people than to engage in the primitive accumulation of riches,” the group stated.
