Group To Honour Selfless Leaders, Heroes In Bauchi

A group of concerned citizens under the banner “Me Ka Yi, Me Za Ka Yi Wa Al’umma Association of Nigeria” meaning “what have you done, what will you do for society” has declared its renewed mission to identify, celebrate and support leaders who have distinguished themselves through selfless service to humanity.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi, the group’s chairman, Comrade Ilyasu Ibrahim Zwall, said the association is focused on recognising individuals and groups whose contributions often go unnoticed but whose impact is deeply felt within communities.

Zwall explained that the organisation was founded on 29 June 2018 following growing concerns over the widening gap between leadership and everyday citizens.

“We observed communities struggling in silence and governance appearing distant and accessible only during election periods. We knew action could no longer wait, so we formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission,” he said.

He explained that the association operates on two core objectives which include provide compassionate support to the less privileged and promoting sustained citizen participation in community development.

“Our guiding principle is simple, recognise excellence, reward integrity and encourage transformational leadership,” he stressed.

“We are searching for the youths who organise night patrols to keep neighbourhoods safe. We are looking for the teachers who sacrifices their salaries to ensure students have learning materials. We want to honour the artisan who passes vital skills to the next generation free of charge,” he said.

He described such individuals as people whose legacies are not written on paper but etched into the lives they have transformed.

“These are people with remarkable legacies. Through subsequent editions of these awards, we are committed to finding them, honouring their contributions and investing directly in the work they continue to do. Their stories are the blueprint for our collective future,” Zwall added.

The chairman of Bauchi based-organisation also called on the media, both locally and globally, to serve as partners in amplifying these stories of hope and impact.

“We ask for your help in finding these local heroes and sharing their narratives. Let the nation and the world understand that true development is not always measured by tall buildings, but by strong, compassionate communities,” he said.

Zwall further disclosed that the association would soon commence an evaluation of Northern and North-East Governors after the award series, stressing that citizens also have a role to play.

“To every citizen listening, this is a call to action. Look around you. Who is quietly making a difference? Nominate them. Let us come together to answer the defining question: Me Ka Yi? Me Za Ka Yi wa Al’umma?” he said.

Zwall recalled that on 1 January 2019, the organisation published the names of outstanding nationalists who had contributed to national development.

He emphasised that governance should be participatory, not exclusive, “True governance exists when citizens take responsibility for their streets, markets and neighbourhoods, when support is accessed with dignity and communities work together to solve their own problems,” he said.

He explained that the association bridges compassion and action through food drives, scholarships, medical aid, skills training, neighbourhood clean-ups, civic education and development monitoring.

Announcing the highlight of the briefing, Zwall unveiled the inaugural “Me Ka Yi? Me Za Ka Hi wa Al’umma? Community Champions Awards”, scheduled to hold in the coming weeks.

“Today is about celebration. We are shining a light on individuals and organisations that embody our motto through exceptional service to humanity,” he said.

He noted that some award recipients are no longer in public office but have continued to execute impactful community projects, adding that none of the awardees had been contacted prior to the announcement, as their projects were independently verified.

Among those selected for recognition are Prof. Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, for healthcare access and workforce development; Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Hon. Nura Manu Soro for scholarships and infrastructural development; Hon. Kabiru Yusuf (Makaman Duguri) for capacity building and empowerment; Sen. Shehu Buba Umar for medical bill interventions and patient welfare.

Others are Prof. Fatima Ja’afar Tahir, the first female Vice-Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi, Dr. Hadi Usman for technological innovation, Development Exchange Centre (DEC) for community-led NGO interventions, Barr. Saratu Jibrin and Lydia Shehu for women empowerment, Dr. Bala Maijama’a Wunti for religious development and welfare, and Alhaji AYM Shafa for energy sector contributions and entrepreneurship among others.