Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe: My one kobo advise.

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.

Success in every defined venture is hardly determined by what to do because most often, the job description comes with the appointment; it’s determined by how the job description is executed.

It was President Muhammadu Buhari that created the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Poverty alleviation; the need for the ministry wasn’t too obvious at inception but for the posture of Buhari as the leader of the Fulani cohorts mistaken for that of the Northern Talakawas and sold politically as the saviour of Nigerian masses, he needed a ministry to settle his cohorts and fund his terrorising tribesmen and so the ministry did just that on many occasions, restricting his social intervention transfer payments to his clannish ‘kinsfolk’ in Nigeria.

I want to believe President Tinubu renamed the institution to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction with a mandate to develop a fair minded focused strategy of social inclusion in humanitarian affairs in Nigeria. If there is a need for the ministry, it is now!

Nigerians were already living in poverty in 2010 the year doctrine of necessity crowned Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as President, by 2015, 89 million were living in poverty, the economy was that bad and unstable in Jonathan’s 5 years for which change was inevitable and made sense of the change mantra. The deserving reaction made many to vote Buhari without a thought. In 8 years of President Muhammadu Buhari running the economy, by the time he handed over to President Tinubu, a total of 115 million Nigerians were in the grip of poverty. In 18 months of PBAT a whooping 14 million people had made their way into poverty.

I wish poverty is just figures, numbers and statistics, but it is more than that. The gripping reality of poverty in today’s Nigeria is beyond data manipulation and the inconsistency of figures even on the internet. Poverty is walking the streets in flesh and blood. The job of Yilwatda requires no kids’ gloves. Equal to the tasks at hand is a thoroughly educated personae with many achievements.
Yilwatda obtained his first school Leaving Certificate in 1981 and his “O” level GCE in 1986 from Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri. He later earned a degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi in 1992, followed by a Master of Engineering and PhD from ATBU Bauchi and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, respectively specialising in Digital Systems Engineering.
He has contributed to significant technological advancements in Nigeria in such projects as Renewable Energy as part of the PAWA 774 project, a private-sector initiative aimed at providing clean and eco-friendly electricity through micro-grids in Nigerian communities, and, collaborated with Tech-Ville USA to train 100 software and renewable energy engineers in Ondo State.

The professional affiliations of
Yilwatda include; Membership of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Solar Society of Nigeria.

As a Consultant, the minister-designate led a UNICEF turnkey project from 2005 to 2012, overseeing the design, training, and installation of alternative energy sources for cold chain systems across several Nigerian states.

Yilwatda was a Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 and served as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Benue State. He conducted the 2019 election in Benue State with the votes of IDPs making a significant impact in that election.

In addition to career and executive experience, Yilwatda was part of an International Energy Collaborations of two Federal Government energy research delegations to the USA and Canada and later served on the Cuban Government/ECN program promoting energy efficiency in both residential and public sectors. In 2023 election cycle, Yilwatda was the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State.

Politics is the process through which politicians come to office. It is amazing however that the oath they take into office is anti politics and pro policy.

Hon. Minister, do I need remind you of a line of the oath you took today to seal the process that began over a week ago; “I Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe do solemnly swear to discharge my duties to the BEST of my ABILITY, faithfully and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law and always in the interest of the SOVEREIGNTY, INTEGRITY, SOLIDARITY, WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA… that I will not allow MY PERSONAL INTERESTS TO INFLUENCE MY OFFICIAL CONDUCT OR MY OFFICIAL DECISIONS.

Sir, politics is always the only reason left to worry about when expertise meets with competence, capacity and exposure; if there is something like having it all, that is what describes you on this appointment as the Hon Minister heading the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

All who love the peace of Plateau and by extension that of our dear country should join those who are seriously concerned about the need to build a greater and better Nigeria to pray that God grants you the need to focus on your assignment of helping President Bola Tinubu to provide succor to millions of people waiting to be pulled out of poverty than investing resources of time and energy in pursuit of personal interests. Plateau State won’t progress in the cross current interests of you and Mr Governor. A war of interests of two personalities like we have witnessed in Rivers State, Nigeria can’t afford same on the Plateau.

The greatest challenge to Tinubu’s Presidency for now is the welfare and security of the citizens; especially the poorest of the poor in all parts of Nigeria who are the tools of political elites as political foot soldiers.

A bow to your personal ambition, like you did before the Senate, to serve the poor in Nigeria is needed to help President Tinubu.

No steward can serve two ambitions; one must be sacrificed for the other. As humanity awaits the telling of the time in the walk and work of Hon Minister Yiltwada, may you succeed as the stone that will put an end to the reign of Goliath-like humanitarian crises and its attendant implications for poverty, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria.

Prof Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe officially joins President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction today to either play politics or be committed to nation building strides as the all important need of the moment; please be reminded that no excuse will be tenable for your failure. May you succeed!

Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He’s also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table. BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the C.E.O, Masterbuilder Communications.

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