Date: 2015-04-22

In recent times, politics in Nigeria has seen great change and transformation. The wind of change that is fast blowing away the evils of corruption, selfish-interest, and greed by a few who sought to represent only themselves is fast-becoming a permanent wind and air which Nigerians must enjoy its freshness.

This is evident in the just concluded 2015 Presidential, National Assembly and Governorship elections, where the electorate obviously adopted CHANGE by voting their choice leaders in the APC.

As the race for Senate Presidency gathers momentum, what Nigerians demand and deserve is a vibrant, charismatic and realistic leader; one who will be with the people, unbiased to religion, ethnicity or political affiliations. A fearless leader, whose primary focus will be the party and the people. A man with a stronger force, undaunted by whatever forces, powers or challenges that will be faced in service.

Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, a charismatic leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara State, and Senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly was born 19 December 1962 to the family of the late strongman of Kwara politics, Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

At 53, Saraki has seen it all as far as Nigeria's politics is concerned. He is the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, and also a member of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets and Finance, having served as the special assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Budget from 2000 to 2003. He also governed Kwara state for eight years before being elected into the Senate in 2011.

Also as a man of the people Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki proudly leads by example and is known to be accountable and transparent, attributes which he strongly believes are essential to government and good leadership. For him also, the philosophy of two-way communication, between him and the people of his constituency, so as to get direct unfiltered feedback is key to good leadership.

Hear him in his own words, "... In addition, the dialogue on national issues should involve every Nigerian, not special interest groups in the corridors of power in Abuja, which is what continues to diminish the public view of elected leaders. As your Senator, I promise to maintain an open door policy where we can exchange free flow of ideas with mutual respect."

Senator Saraki continues to advocate for legislations that will strengthen our institutions so as to eradicate corruption, misuse of power, and abuse of office. Being a vocal and vibrant leader, he has joined hands with other great minds to chart a new course for Nigeria - returning our great country to her former place of pride in the comity of nations. Hear him again, "... The wind of change that is blowing across the country is strong enough to keep the hope of a new and better Nigeria alive."

As Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, his appreciation for the environmental challenges that range from floods in the South-West, to desert encroachment in the North, erosion in the East, oil pollution in the Niger Delta and changing weather patterns everywhere. These awareness and consciousness formed the basis which caused him to sponsor a bill for an act to amend the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Act 2006, to provide penalties and compensation for oil spills and for other related matters.

He is the first Senator in Nigeria to post weekly activities, so Kwarans and Nigerians at large can see, follow, and contribute to what their representative is doing both at the legislative and constituency.

As the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Saraki joined Former US Secretary of States - Hilary Clinton to raise about $500m comprising of $286m in grants, $127m in investments and several millions in guarantees for the global clean cooking sector. This fund raising was aimed at accelerating market-based clean cooking solutions through targeted investment entrepreneur support and capacity building to transform the way the world cooks.

As a governor, in 2004, Sen. Saraki set the pace for the agricultural revolution in Nigeria when he initiated the Shonga Farm Project, now Shonga Farm Holdings Limited, which is largely private sector driven. The commercial farming has attracted hundreds of local and international investors. The commercial farming has attracted hundreds of local and international investors, and currently contributes 40 to 42 percent of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Products (GDP), and employed 70% of the active population

Within three months of being in the Senate, whilst some of his colleagues learned the ropes, he moved a landmark motion on the need to probe the management of petroleum subsidy. While opening the lid on the probe of fuel subsidy in the country, he was reported to have raised the alarm that with the trend in 2011, the nation might have fuel subsidy bill of over N1.2 trillion as against the N240 billion budgeted in the Appropriation Bill. The Saraki's alarm led to the discovery that fuel subsidy gulped N2,587,087 in 2011.

Senator Bukola Saraki has received scores of local and international awards and he is best to propelled the Senate and by extension the National Assembly to meet the 'Change Yearnings' revolution currently going on in the country.

Ohimozi is an APC stalwart in Kogi State