BY;
Abdul-Rahman Baban Saibo
This morning’s surf for
national news took me to further realize that my country’s hopes for bettering
in the likely near future might just be possible. My encounter with the
LEADERSHIP Newspaper daily reportage with their outstanding choices of
Nigeria’s 2014 persons of the year, helped in rescuing my dying hopes for my
beloved dying country.
Former president Chief
Olusegun Obasanjo whom made the papers’ Leadership person of this year (2014)
did align with my personal apprehension for, I must say, ‘duly considerable
reasons’.
The paper outlined
their reasons for picking the former president to sooth this honorable
recognized status, for reasons being , despite all ramifications that befell
the country under his supervision during his CEO days of occupation, yet again,
the paper looked beyond the ‘political architectural construct’ of the former
President that brought to power the incumbent disaster, to reasonably consider
and regard the role he assumed, considering the country’s cotemporary
contretemps, saying they “were compelled to focus on the message rather than
the messenger”, for his “persistence in speaking up when other statesmen preferred
to play ostrich by burying their heads in the sand”.
This brought me to
quietly ruminate over the questions; where are our past leaders? Does it not
concern them that our country is falling apart? Do they even care about the
country anymore or did them take-away their care with them whilst retiring? I
ask with despair where the likes of Shehu Shagari, Maitama Sule, and
Abdussalami Abubakr are? Why are they quiet? Are they utterly dumbfounded of
the present situation and actions of the leaders or are they just too impressed
and proud with what their descended successors have enveloped into? ‘A little
birdy tells me it’s the latter, for the former is highly unlikely as they would
have stood to bring a stop to it! I shall ask not of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida,
for all knows him only to sooth his personal ambitions, and if that means having
the adequate tip-off from the incumbent Government, then so be it.
General Muhammadu Buhari
may he be blessed for his tireless strife and contest on a journey to salvage
Nigeria. Despite the violent false accusations of religious bigotry and other
not only offensive but deadly crimes by the Jonathan administration in order to
tarnish his golden framed reputation, yet Nigerians must attest to the reality
that he did not just stand to offer words, but, determined to continue with a
struggle of conquest to liberate the country he so holds dear.
The utter silence of
our traditional rulers did not only arouse a sea of questions but to an extent,
mountains of doubts. These Royal fathers have been playing the “ostrich” game
since the days of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria. It was alleged that they all
received millions of naira just to play the “ostrich” game. Well, I must then
ask, are they still playing the ostrich game even after the whistle of the subsidy
days had been blown? Did they receive more millions just to engage in the new
Olympic games of corruption, murder and impunity being played? Where is there
royalty? Where is the traditional love for the people? Or perhaps it is just
honest fear coz some of their fellows were attacked and others were killed
because they took a stand for their people!
God bless his Royal
Highness Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II the Emir of Kano state, whom despite his
short time on throne stood by his people, and comforted them with
encouragements to stay strong in this time whence courage is mostly needed.
Just a day after a triplet bombs were detonated in this great Emirs’ mosque, he
was found leading the prayers in that same mosque demonstrating to his people
and the Nation, the absolute character of selfless leadership, altruism and
willingness to sacrifice what is worth for their love and trust. I shall always
look up to the day this man is enthroned the leader of the Nigerian Muslims,
“Sultan”.
Thanks to Obasanjo I
must confess, not for his making over what he brought upon this country, but
for his concerns toward the country’s predicaments and adversaries which his
predecessor chose to promote. I look forward to reading his 3 volumes book “My
Watch” soon to be released.
LEADESHIP Newspaper
made a responsible decision in picking Governor Kashim Shattima of Borno state
as the paper’s Governor of the year. I personally would have voted for this man
of honor, competence and integrity for his strong mindedness, a capacitated
heart with abilities to comfort his people and as much elevate their status
despite all intricate challenges and difficulties befalling his State. The likes
of Governor Shettima are actually very few in Nigeria. For this man’s great
might permitted him to continue the development of his state despite the daily
loss of lives, bomb explosions, and loss of properties, homes and localities to
the Boko Haram insurgents. This Governor thus, remains a dare challenge to
other sitting Governors whom are faced not with even a fragment of what is
faced by Governor Shettima and his people, for them to demonstrate to their people
at least a fragment of the audacity, compassion and transparency of leadership
shown by this Governor. May God bring an end to the afflictions befalling Borno
State, Northeast and the whole of Nigeria!
The paper’s choice of
Politician of the year is Alhaji Tanko Almakura, the incumbent Governor of Nasarawa
State. The paper clarified that this governor was chosen “For surviving a
malicious political onslaught, resisting a vicious attempt to undermine the
will of the people and expanding the frontier of the rule of law.” Sure we all
recall the politicking that took place a little while ago in this country.
Governor Tanko Almakura and some other governors (mostly decamps of the ruling
party) were faced with impeachment threats in their states most of which were
suspected to be devised by the Presidency.
I recall reading on
paper Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso saying “I am too big for PDP, Jonathan’s
tricks.” This strong principled and well-disciplined Politician, made this
declaration in reaction to the impeachment threat that pursued him he should
have made Politician of the year for that (my take). His likes, Rotimi Amaechi the Governonor of Rivers State,
Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, all known to
have defected from the ruling party to the APC opposition party also suffered
the Jonathans’ impeachment tricks. Unfortunate for the Governor of Adamawa, he
fell a victim of the ploy, and was impeached by his State Law Makers.
Either ways, my opinion
of national leadership persons and political figures should go for those young
minds whom despite the opportunity to turn hedges against their kinds and work
diligently for the big politicians to make what appears to be the ultimate
element of power of the day. Instead, they chose to stand out distinctively to
fight and protest against the wrong deeds by their leaders and also call for
the unity of the youth to come together and make Nigeria anew. I wish to recognize
a few of those young brothers and sisters of whom some I have never met, but of
course I absolutely adore and respect their patriotic ideals and tenacity in
hopes for a better Nigeria.
Let me begin with the
writer/blogger and social media specialist Mr. Japheth Omojuwa, (one of those
I’ve never met) whom made twitter a hobby for me and most youths by updating us
with the latest news of the happenings around us. This young man stands as an
international figure for the youth. He achieved more than most of our
politicians are yet to achieve, in his young age. Just recently he was able to
break open the Jonathan/Levick scam contract that raised a steaming heat in the
country where the presidency and the Levick Company denied severally having
anything to do with each other until he (Omojuwa) came to clear the atmosphere
with a copy of the contract.
Abubakar S. Usman, also
a blogger (abusidiqu.com), a social media specialist, a political commentator
and a renowned writer. This young man whom spears neither effort nor time, in
enlightening the nation about the insight state of the state, also deserves a
national recognition.
The lady that caught my
attention with her abilities of exercising political activism, human and women
rights struggles, Hannatu Musawa whom is also a writer and a columnist should
make Nigeria’s Iron lady of the year.
Despite the ongoing
deadly social media war between Southern youth and their Northern brothers
which would have ended thousands of lives were it fought on the fields. I’d be
glad to commend the patriotism and true nationalism of the following people for
their abilities to relinquish basic selfish sentiments and forge ahead with
norms and goals that absolutely pacifies the nation.
Sa’idu Ahmed Enagi, an
economist, writer/author and the country ambassador of CNRJ (International
Federation of Youth Think Tank), this brother of mine is a believer that
Nigeria “is a ship on sail that faces tornados and strong waves, and shall come
to rest ashore,” he often says.
Jasper Azuatalam will
have my most valued regards for making himself a true Nationalist by making
General Muhammadu Buhari accepted and supported not just in the East but also
in the whole of Nigeria.
Yadoma Bukar Mandara,
the youngest person to attend Nigeria’s most recent National Conference. Yadoma
is also a writer and a women rights activist, this young lady surely poses a
figure for this country’s future women leader.
Amongst other youth
political activists, Arc. Mukhtar Ahmad Jarmajo, also a blogger
(jarmajo.blogspot.com) a writer and a social media political analyst, is one of
Nigeria’s future leaders for his capacity in prime visions and conceptual perceptions
for credible governance and leadership.
Kayode Ogundamisi (the
canary), this brother whom I am yet to meet, maintained a dignified status of
Human Rights activism since the days of military dictatorship down to this days
of social media protests. Ogundamisi is also a correspondent of the Sahara
Reporters paper, and a Twitter specialist.
I must honor and regard
Sabi’u Zaranda and AbdulQadir S. AbdulQadir (binzaranda.wordpress.com and
abdulsabdul.wordpress.com), both of which are bloggers and colleagues in youth
activism, also Daniel Akinlami and Bello El-Rufai (whom seems to try his
fathers’ shoes, Nasir El-Rufai),both of whom are writers and political
activists. These young men in virtue are found to never keep silent when wrongs
are done. Ayo Ojeniyi, Auwal Abdullahi and Chiagozie Durueke amongst other
young social media activists/analysts, should be highly regarded by Nigerians.
Albeit the likes of Zik
and Tafawa Balewa have passed I still see their residues in these young ladies
and gentlemen, and I hope that we’d all unite in the near future to make a
Nigeria of the dreams of our founding fathers.
Amidst other honored
Persons of the year, the LEADERSHIP Newspaper picked the
Chibok kidnapped girls to be the Young Persons of the year. Perhaps, this recognition
should be rather a reminder to Nigerians. These young innocent sisters have
been abducted by the deadly Boko Haram insurgents for over 7months and are still
in the terrorist’s custody. Although the Government had us believed that it was
doing all in possible to rescue and #BringBackOurGirls, unfortunately we have
been led astray by the government as always. Our hearts, minds and prayers
shall always be with them, as their remembrance shall always incline in our
memories a wrong turn once made in the history of our country. And I continue
to hope and pray that their immediate families will continue to withstand the
heart-taking of which seems to have no notify-able termination date.
My fellow countrymen,
the time is long due for us to stand firm not in prayers alone, but also in the
ultimate strife to rescuing our dying home-country. As the February election is
fast apace, I plead that we let not our personal sentiments outshine our
primal norms and objectives, and may our decisions be of the righteous and
deserved choices.
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