Hon. SAMUEL TAJO: A LEADER OF PURPOSE AND PHILANTHROPY

By: Abubakar Labaran

As Honourable Samuel Tajo celebrates his birthday today, he stands tall as one of the most distinguished achievers of this generation—both in the political and philanthropic spheres of our nation.

Born in Kwoi, the headquarters of Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Honourable Tajo previously served as Special Assistant to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai on the Kaduna State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KADSACA). A holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Psychology, he has consistently dedicated himself to the development of people, not only within his community but across other local governments in Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.

His commitment to service is reflected in his membership of the Youth Empowerment and Unity Forum (YEUF) and his role in the Presidential Crisis Peace Dialogue, among other national responsibilities.

Philanthropy and Direct Impact

Honourable Tajo’s philanthropy has directly touched the lives of the needy, vulnerable, and downtrodden. He was instrumental in facilitating skills acquisition training for hundreds of youths across all 10 wards of Jaba Local Government. Specifically, 167 youths were trained in various trades and placed in part-time jobs with monthly stipends under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

Education Sector

He played a pivotal role in establishing and strengthening functional School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) in five local governments across Kaduna State. His direct interventions include:

· Donating 100 school uniforms (50 boys, 50 girls)

· Providing teaching and learning aids to 15 selected schools across the former 15 districts of the Jaba (Ham) Chiefdom

Health Sector

· Provided two fully kitted first aid boxes to schools, along with learning materials

· Organized free medical screening, treatment, and provision of essential drugs for residents across the districts

· During his tenure at KADSACA, he championed grassroots sensitization on HIV/AIDS prevention, stigma reduction, and access to testing in rural communities across Southern Kaduna

Leadership and Legacy

As a bridge-builder, Honourable Tajo is widely respected for his accessibility, humility, and ability to unite people across political, ethnic, and religious lines. He has mentored many young leaders who are now active in public service, business, and civil society.

His open-door policy and consistent engagement with traditional institutions, faith-based organizations, and youth groups have made him a trusted voice in community development. Through scholarships for indigent students, support for widows and orphans, and annual empowerment programs during festive seasons, he has shown that governance is best expressed through a direct, positive impact on human lives.

As Honourable Tajo continues his journey of service, his life remains a testament to purposeful leadership. Jaba, Kaduna State, and Nigeria are richer because of his contributions.

Indeed, he is an icon of our generation, and his story is still being written. As he celebrates his birthday today, the people of his community, local government, and the state at large rejoice with him, pouring out encomiums and accolades in his honor.