By Ignatius Ushie
Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki hardly needs any introduction because she has made her mark both in the private and public sectors.
Having contributed her quota to the Legislative arm of government in the past, the Muhammadu Buhari government has once again given her an opportunity to make an impact in the executive arm of government.
President Buhari must have seen something in her to be assigned to the rather masculine Transport Ministry as Minister of State, joining Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi who returned to the Ministry.
Many industry watchers are keen on following the activities of the Kwara born politician to know if she can move at the pace of Amaechi who has been described as rather nocturnal in nature, insisting on keeping timelines.
Some are also interested in knowing if the daughter of the Great Olusola Saraki, of blessed memory, can put doubting Thomases to shame, having been denied the opportunity to rule Kwara State a couple of years ago.
Looking at her pedigree, it is difficult to push her aside because not so many recently appointed Ministers can boast of her tight Curriculum Vitae. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki is currently the Minister of State Transportation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 21, 2019, and former Senator.
In 2003, she was elected to represent Kwara Central Senatorial District under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 1999 representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Kwara State.
She’s a sibling to former Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (8th Assembly)- Bukola Saraki.
According to Online resource, Saraki attended the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. She did her national service at the Nigeria Bank for Commerce and Industry, Lagos.
She worked for the Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) as Head of Money Markets and later as head of Domiciliary Accounts. From 1994 to 1999 she was executive Director of Ashmount Insurance Brokers, Lagos.
Her father is Abubakar Olusola Saraki, who was a leading senator of the Second Nigerian Republic (1979–1983) and father of politics in Kwara State. Based on her past performances, one may be tempted to say she is bound to once again make a difference in public service, but only time will tell.
