The Woman Who Balances the Books and the People’s Hearts: The Grace and Grit of Hajia Habibat Onumoko »

In today’s democratic landscape, governance and politics have become inseparable Siamese twins as each reinforcing the other to ensure the equitable and timely delivery of democracy’s dividends to the people. Yet, combining both responsibilities within the machinery of state governance remains one of the most complex and delicate tasks imaginable. The demand of governance requires intellect, tact, commitment, and an unbending sense of responsibility, while politics requires accessibility, warmth, and connection with the people. Very few public officials have been able to successfully blend these two worlds without compromising efficiency, ethics, or empathy.

The office of the Accountant-General of Kogi State is a perfect example of this complex intersection. It is the financial nerve centre of government, the room where every cheque, every payment, every inflow and outflow of public funds is monitored, reconciled, and justified. It is not a glamorous office but one that requires utmost discipline, meticulousness, and integrity. The Accountant-General serves as the chief financial officer of the state, ensuring that public resources are properly managed, allocated, and accounted for in accordance with fiscal laws and government priorities. In Kogi State, this enormous responsibility rests on the shoulders of one woman whose competence and compassion have redefined the office; Dr. Habibat Onumoko.

Dr. Onumoko is not just an accomplished administrator or a seasoned accountant; she is a visionary reformer and a woman of the people whose leadership combines financial prudence with emotional intelligence. Her dedication to fiscal transparency and accountability has brought a new era of credibility to the management of Kogi State’s finances. With her hands firmly on the levers of treasury management, she has fortified the state’s financial system against leakages, mismanagement, and irregularities. Under her watch, the state’s financial architecture operates with precision, ensuring that public funds are directed toward meaningful development initiatives under the guiding vision of His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Her professionalism, however, is only one side of the story. What makes Dr. Habibat truly exceptional is her ability to humanise governance; to interpret figures in terms of faces, and to see the people behind the policies. Where many would remain confined within the technical boundaries of their office, Dr. Onumoko has chosen a more inclusive path: engaging, empathising, and inspiring. She has demonstrated that governance is not merely about executing financial mandates, but about touching lives, empowering communities, and building bridges between the government and the governed.

Having spent several years working at the local government level, Dr. Onumoko has developed a natural bond with the grassroots. Her relationship with the rural populace goes beyond official interactions; it is personal, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in shared experiences. To the women of Kogi State, she is not only a technocrat but a mother, a mentor, and a voice of strength. They call her their Margaret Thatcher for her courage and firmness in leadership, and their Mother Teresa for her boundless compassion and generosity. Her ability to connect with people across age, class, and religion has earned her admiration that cuts across political lines.

Hailing from Okene in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, Dr. Onumoko’s name resonates across communities as a household symbol of female excellence and service. In the five local government areas of Kogi Central Senatorial District, she is seen as a trailblazer, the first woman in governance who has effectively translated women’s aspirations into tangible representation. In Kogi East, where she recently undertook a grassroots engagement tour, she was received with overwhelming love and enthusiasm. Her visit to Olamaboro Local Government Area attracted thousands of women and youths, all eager to catch a glimpse of the woman whose influence and compassion have inspired many. Her presence exudes humility, yet her words carry authority; her compassion draws people in, yet her discipline commands respect.

Across the nine local government areas of Kogi East, she has been described as a reincarnation of Mother Teresa; a woman who listens, comforts, and responds. Her approach to leadership is grounded in empathy, service, and accessibility. The women of Kogi East say that through her, they finally feel seen and heard in the corridors of power. And in Kogi West Senatorial District, she is fondly called “Ìyá gbogbo”, meaning “mother of all.” It is a title she has earned through years of consistent engagement, personal sacrifice, and sincere interest in the well-being of others.

For the first time in Kogi’s history, the office of the Accountant-General is not just a technical post but also a human institution, a channel through which governance flows directly to the people. Dr. Onumoko has built political and social bridges across the 239 wards and 21 local government areas of Kogi State. Her grassroots connection is unmatched. She is the only political officeholder whose influence extends deeply into every community, from the rural heartlands to urban centres. Her recent thank-you tour across all the local government areas of the state was a profound political and moral statement; a demonstration of humility and gratitude rarely seen in public office. It was an affirmation of her belief that governance is about the people whose trust and mandate sustain government.

Dr. Onumoko’s leadership philosophy reflects a timeless truth about humanity and service. She often exemplifies the spirit of Mother Teresa’s words: “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest to you.” She lives this philosophy every day, using her position not only to uphold financial integrity but also to touch lives in the most personal ways. What began as a modest effort to support women in her local government has blossomed into a state-wide movement for women’s empowerment, youth engagement, and grassroots political inclusion.

Today, her story is one of grace, grit, and growth; the journey of a woman who broke the glass ceiling not only for herself but for an entire generation of women in Kogi State and beyond. She has shown that strength and empathy can coexist, that integrity and compassion can complement each other, and that public office can be both a place of duty and a platform for humanity.

Through her unrelenting dedication, Dr. Habibat Onumoko has redefined what it means to serve. She has transformed a highly technical office into a symbol of responsive leadership. Her financial discipline has safeguarded the state’s economy; her humility has united communities; her compassion has lifted countless lives. In her, the women of Kogi see possibility; the youth see hope; and the state sees a future grounded in accountability, inclusiveness, and love for humanity.

Her journey continues to inspire, not because of the power she holds, but because of the heart with which she serves. And as history continues to unfold, Dr. Habibat Onumoko will be remembered not only as Kogi State’s first female Accountant-General but as a woman who turned figures into faces, policies into progress, and leadership into love.

Ilemona Samson Akoh
Write from Garki
FCT
Akorilemona82@gmail.com