Beyond Rhetoric: How Senator Sunday Karimi is Redefining Representation and Giving Voice to Kogi West
By Mall. Mohammed Ahmed Lawal
In a political landscape often clouded by empty promises and transactional leadership, the emergence of a figure who embodies purposeful and courageous representation is not just refreshing; it is revolutionary. For the people of Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi has become that revolutionary force—a beacon of hope and a testament to what effective governance should be.
Amid a national crisis of insecurity that has left many communities helpless, Senator Karimi moved beyond the usual motions of sympathy and convened a security summit. But he didn’t stop at talk. Understanding that the protection of lives and property is the primary purpose of government, he took a monumental step that will echo for generations: the facilitation of a Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the strategic town of Kabba. This military presence is not just a structure of concrete and steel; it is a fortress of hope, a decisive blow against the marauding elements that have threatened the peace of the Okun people and a powerful statement that Kogi West is no longer a soft target for criminals.
However, Senator Karimi’s vision extends beyond securing the present to actively investing in the future. Recognizing that an uneducated population is as vulnerable as an unsecured one, he embarked on a massive intervention in the educational sector. His Education Intervention Project” has seen the massive renovation and reconstruction of over 25 secondary schools across the seven local government areas of Kogi West. From the comprehensive overhaul of the iconic **St Kabba**, to numerous other schools in Yagba, Ijumu, and Lokoja, these facilities have been transformed from dilapidated structures into modern citadels of learning. This is a direct investment in human capital, ensuring that the children of Kogi West can compete favourably in the 21st century.
But the Senator’s foresight didn’t end at the school gate. In a masterstroke of socio-economic strategy, he established a **state-of-the-art ICT and Vocational Training Centre**. This centre is purpose-built to tackle youth unemployment head-on by equipping young people with in-demand digital and artisanal skills. It is a direct pipeline from education to empowerment, fostering a generation of job creators and skilled professionals, not just job seekers.
In the hallowed chambers of the Senate, Karimi has refused to be a silent benchwarmer. As the **Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise, and Tariffs**, and a member of other critical committees including Petroleum (Downstream) and Police Affairs, he has been a formidable contributor to national development. He has sponsored and co-sponsored bills and motions aimed at economic reform, security strengthening, and improving the welfare of Nigerians. His voice in the National Assembly is not a whisper from the periphery but a resonant sound from the centre, advocating for policies that benefit both his constituency and the nation at large.
Perhaps Karimi’s most defining trait is his unflinching courage to speak truth to power. In a system that often rewards conformity, he has consistently chosen the path of principle. He has held government agencies accountable, questioned controversial policies, and stood firm on issues of justice and equity. This fearlessness has endeared him to the masses who see in him a leader who cannot be bullied or bought—a true voice of the oppressed.
Senator Sunday Karimi is fundamentally reshaping Kogi politics. He has moved the goalpost from the politics of stomach infrastructure to the politics of developmental infrastructure. He has replaced the culture of sycophancy with a culture of assertive and courageous advocacy. His leadership is a masterclass in balancing grassroots empathy with national relevance.
His achievements are not mere projects; they are powerful statements. The military base states that our lives matter. The renovated schools state that our future matters. The ICT centre states that our potential matters. And his voice in the Senate states that Kogi West matters.
Senator Sunday Karimi is more than a politician; he is a nation-building craftsman and the undisputed star of North Central politics today. He has set a new, lofty standard for representation, and the people of Kogi West are the ultimate beneficiaries.
Mall. Mohammed Ahmed Lawal, is a political analyst and public affairs commentator from Lokoja .
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 17th 2025)
