Chief Dr Pukat Turban as Sardauna Matasan Arewa

Chief Dr  Pukat Turban as Sardauna Matasan Arewa

By Daniel Kura

Chief Dr. Samuel Pukat aka Talba (1) one, a great philanthropist to the core and a political juggernaut on the Plateau and beyond has added yet another cap to himself.

Chief Dr. Pukat was Truban with a Chieftaincy little as the Sardauna Matawan Arewa, in a very colourful event which held yesterday 12, December, 2020 at the famous Yalwa Club Bukuru of Jos South Local Government Council of Plateau State. 

The newly Truban Sardauna Matawan Arewa Chief Dr. Samuel Pukat in his acceptance speech seize the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Sardauna Sir. Ahmadu Bello sacrifice whose life is worthy of emulation.

He said, "being an Arewa youth myself born and brought up in the North, I am aware of the scale and gravity of social and economics problems be devilling the North especially the youth. These are often linked to development issues, particularly to poverty, security, health, education facing the region. In the north there is the problem of religious differences, lack of cultural fusion, weak leadership, political and ideological differences that have been the bane of development. In the political journey of the region, it is worth mentioning that some northern elites have made significant efforts to tackle the issues".

Chief Dr. Pukat identify some of the leaders past especially Sir Ahmadu Bello's efforts in tackling the aforementioned challenges. To this end he examine some of the legacies of the late Sardauna that are worthy of emulation.

LEGACIES OF THE LATE SARDAUNA

Political life

In the 1940s, he joined Jamiyya Mutanen Arewa which later become the Northern People's Congress (NPC) in 1951. The NPC was purely a northern concern to address the developmental challenges facing the region. At that point there was no segregation under whatever basis either by all northerners as an umbrella of unity. He did not believe in politics of state of origin, religion, culture or tribe. The party was widely accepted of do or die. He did not believe in ballot snatching, rigging, politics of bitterness, toggeries, money-bag, blind god-fatherism and the likes. This was largely the philosophy that he worked with that guaranteed such unity. He was a notable voice for northern interests and embraced a style of consultation and consensus with the major representatives of the region

Education

Education in the North was basically Islamic but the Sardauna initiated plans that modernize traditional Koranic education in Northern Nigeria.

Specifically, he set up a commission that recommended the introduction of secular subjects in the schools and creation of different classes for pupil. He was selected among with others as a member of a committee that redrafted the Richards Constitution. He was instrumental for the establishment of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria as a regional university for the north. He all after the northern youth education. To this effect he declared state of emergency on education to a point that the northern student on scholarship overseas were mostly envied by others because they collect the highest money under scholarship program.

Religion

Though he was born a Muslim and practiced Islam till death, Sardauna was an embodiment of religious freedom. He worked with people of different religious background. Permit me to share an exciting example. In the house of assembly we were told a time came for hajj instead of handing over the acting position to someone that he shares the same faith with, he chose a Christian and a reverend from Plateau to act for him.

Furthermore the DO of Sokoto his home state was equally a man of different faith. This is hardly seen in today's politics as religion is considered above merit in some cases.

Social life

He was a man that the cry of the poor was his concern and the voice of the orphans was his push factor. He went out in all his ways to attend to the need of the masses. Once you are from the north which was his geopolitical zone, you are qualified for his assistance regardless of tribe, religion and ethnicity, rich or poor. The name Sardauna was an umbrella of hope for the hopeless. Research further revealed to us that his and counterparts from the east, west shared the same vision, mission ideology which laid a solid foundation for Nigeria. No wonder, in spite of the economic, political and social turbulence the country is going through, Nigeria is still standing.

Furthermore in his disclosure, he reveals that some of legacies of the Sardauna, has become evidently clear why the Arewa Youth Council chose to honor him with the title.

He said, "when I was consulted for this title, I was initially hesitant, as most will do. But after serious research and enquiry on what the title means and the life of Sardauna, I understand fully that the title indeed fits me and thereis the need to rekindle the spirit of Sardauna".

"For the avoidance of doubt, I share views on many of the legacies for which Sardauna is remembered. We are going back on the legacies of Sardauna, which was built on unity, fairness and transparency. Indeed I am challenged by the achievements of Sardauna and wish that such legacy comes back alive most especially at such a time like this in the history of our dear nation Nigeria and in Arewa in particular. This explains my reason for accepting the title for we are celebrating today".