‘Nentawe’ is a name seldom used by the Ngas, one of the majority ethnic groups in Plateau State.
Literally translated into English, the name means, “God does not hate anybody.”
No wonder Nentawe Yilwatda, a professor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), appears to personify the true meaning of the name, both in character and conduct, as reflected in his political and academic trajectory.
Since coming into the political limelight — first as an INEC Commissioner, later as a cabinet minister and now as the head of the ruling party — Nentawe has consistently demonstrated love, compassion and empathy in both his official and private engagements.
As a son of a pastor, he appears not to have forgotten the values of compassion and service instilled in him, as the APC National Chairman has continued to give hope to the hopeless, create opportunities for the underprivileged, equip the unskilled with vocational skills and support wealth creation, particularly among vulnerable people in the Middle Belt and Western parts of the country.
The latest manifestation of the ‘Nentawe spirit’ was the recently concluded free medical outreach tagged, ‘Renewed Hope Medical Outreach’ in Taraba State. At the event, more than 30,000 patients reportedly benefited, with over 700 major and minor surgeries performed, in addition to 11,000 medical consultations, all at the expense of Prof. Nentawe.
While the indelible memories of similar medical outreaches previously organised on the Plateau and in states such as Bauchi, Kaduna and Nasarawa remain fresh in the minds of beneficiaries, the well-being of the less privileged appears to remain a major concern to Prof. Nentawe.
It is also pertinent to note that, not long ago, the National Chairman reportedly spent nearly half a billion naira to provide business support for women and youth, in addition to organising skills acquisition programmes across Plateau State.
No doubt, Prof. Nentawe is not only an embodiment of quality leadership but also an individual who demonstrates the milk of human kindness, compassion and empathy.
It is, therefore, not surprising that some leading newspaper houses, professional bodies, universities and traditional institutions across the country have continued to honour Prof. Nentawe with awards for leadership and academic excellence.
Prof. Nentawe is indeed a source of inspiration to the youth and a classical example of responsible leadership that provides direction and hope to the followership, irrespective of primordial, religious or political sentiments.
God bless Prof. Nentawe!
Shittu Bamaiyi is a former Plateau State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC