By Adbdulrauf Aliyu
In the sun-soaked streets of Kaduna State, where the echoes of reform initiatives reverberate amidst the bustling markets and the quiet alleys, a tale unfolds—a tale of aspiration and disillusionment, of promises made and realities deferred.
I remember sitting with my friend and fellow outlier, Saminu Abubakar, under the shade of a baobab tree, our voices intermingling with the rustle of leaves as we pondered the enigma that was Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure. “Why,” Saminu mused, “do our policies seem so out of touch with reality? Where does the disconnect lie between intent and impact?”
It was a question that haunted many in Kaduna—a state grappling with the dualities of progress and stagnation, of rhetoric and results. Saminu had shared a video clip with me, a reflection on our conversation from the week prior, where we delved into the intricacies of governance and the elusive quest for meaningful change.
In that conversation, we dissected the notion of “systematic isomorphic mimicry,” a term that encapsulated the penchant for mirroring external models of governance without internalizing their essence. Saminu spoke of the allure of mimicry—the temptation to adopt the outward forms of functional systems while neglecting the hard work of structural reform and systemic overhaul.
As we sipped our tea and watched the world go by, Saminu recounted an anecdote—a parable of sorts that epitomized the challenges of policymaking in Kaduna. He spoke of a time when a new healthcare initiative was unveiled with great fanfare—a program heralded as a panacea for the ailing healthcare system.
“The launch was a spectacle,” Saminu recalled, his expression tinged with wry amusement. “Officials clad in crisp suits, speeches laden with promises, and banners proclaiming a new dawn in healthcare delivery. It was a sight to behold.”
Yet, as the weeks turned into months, the reality emerged—a reality marred by logistical hurdles, inadequate resources, and a disconnect between policy pronouncements and frontline realities. Patients still languished in overcrowded clinics, essential medicines remained elusive, and the promise of accessible healthcare seemed a distant dream.
“This,” Saminu remarked, “is the crux of our dilemma. We excel in the art of appearances—the facade of progress, the veneer of reform—but beneath the surface, the machinery of governance grinds slowly, if at all.”
Our conversation pivoted to the concept of “premature load bearing”—a phenomenon wherein policies are burdened with lofty expectations and rushed into implementation without the requisite groundwork. The impatience for results often eclipses the patience required for sustainable change, leading to a cycle of dashed hopes and unmet aspirations.
Amidst the labyrinth of governance, we grappled with the specter of “official cognitive dissonance”—the discord between policy narratives and lived experiences. Saminu spoke of the disconnect between policymakers ensconced in ivory towers and citizens navigating the trenches of daily life—a dissonance that bred cynicism and eroded trust.
Yet, amidst these challenges, Saminu remained optimistic—a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity. “Our journey,” he remarked, “is not one of despair, but of introspection and adaptation. We must transcend the allure of mimicry and embrace a paradigm of inclusive governance—one that listens, learns, and evolves.”
As I bid farewell to Saminu that evening, the baobab tree casting long shadows across the courtyard, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose. The tale of Kaduna State, with all its complexities and contradictions, was not merely a cautionary tale—it was a call to action.
In the corridors of power and the streets teeming with life, the quest for meaningful change continued—a quest fueled by the wisdom of experience, the humility of introspection, and the audacity to reimagine governance as a collaborative endeavor.
And so, the sun set on Kaduna, casting a golden glow on a landscape imbued with hope and possibility—a landscape where the mirage of policy reforms gave way to the tangible realities of inclusive progress.
