I have never been one to talk about politics. The intrigues of it; the power play and the entire chaos of it is something that acutely reminds me of a game of Russian Roulette.
when asked about my views on politics my response was I would never stake my neck out for any male candidate in power except he was my father, my brother, husband or my son. These men l could at least vouch for, this men i’d stake my life for.
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My views on men in positions of power for many years was that they were dictatorial, driven by self aggrandizement and at their worst Machiavellian.
Until I met Pharm Abdulkareem Mohammad Jamiu
I had the good fortune of meeting Chief Asuku sometime in 2016 when he was the serving Director of Protocol to the Governor and what struck me about his personality was his eagerness to learn, he was so committed to being the best at his job and becoming an embodiment of the quest for excellence that the new direction administration represented.
It was no surprise when I heard that that he had gone to some finishing school for Protocol Officers to build on his capacity to deliver on his assigned role as Director of Protocol. I remember commending his work ethic to a work colleague, I also remember the spiteful response that this was “initial gragra” a farce that would end in no time.
Many years later Pharm Asuku has continued to prove naysayers wrong and dispel the myth that political officers are only concerned about filling their stomachs. Almost one decade later Chief Asuku’s zeal, passion, commitment and stellar results that have come from the Office of the Chief of Staff while he served in that role is testament to this.
When we talk about legacies, what comes to mind are projects made of brick and mortar. Legacies manifested in infrastructure cut across sectors in Education, Works and Housing, Agriculture, Health Care, Security, Environment, Social Welfare to mention but a few. Governor Yahaya Bello has created indelible marks in this sectors and created very big shoes that whoever becomes his successor must consolidate for the good of our beloved Kogi State.
Legacies however go beyond brick and mortar projects, the Business Strategist Peter Strople says that Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people.
I like to think that the greatest legacy of Governor Yahaya Bello will not be the many legacy projects equitably spread across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State. The greatest legacies of Governor Yahaya Bello when he leaves office will be choosing a worthy successor to consolidate on his gains.
There is a lot riding on the choice of the man or woman who becomes the next Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Whichever candidate is selected as Gubernatorial candidate will be man or woman with the fear but most importantly an utmost sense of loyalty to his principal and to the party, loyalty that is not shrouded in gimmicks. Most importantly he or she must be a candidate with tremendous social capital, one who enjoys good will with a geographical spread across the three senatorial district because a good product sells itself.
I could think of no other person that fits this description than Pharm. Abdulkareem Mohammad Jamiu.
Taking a cursory look at the bigger picture, you will agree that the good people of Kogi State are united by the very things that divide us as a people; our religion and our different ethnicities. Now more than ever, we need a leader that see’s humanity before religion and collective progress before ethnicity.
Pharm Asuku has walked side by side with his Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello throughout the course of his administration, like a willing pupil eager to learn from a revered maestro. This pupil has gone through the training and has graduated in flying colors. His stellar achievements while he was the Chief of Staff, despite the fact that he was the youngest person to hold this position in the country is proof if you ever needed one.
In spite of this wins, Pharm Asuku has stayed authentic and true to his values of humility, diligence and the absolute fear of God.
I do not know a lot about many things but I do know that if I was ever in a position where i’d have to pick a successor, authenticity would be the value that I would be on the lookout for. Authenticity counts so much in a political climate like ours where loyalties sway at the drop of a hat.
And we can all agree that Pharm Abdulkareem Mohammad Jamiu is authenticity personified.
Source-Nairaland Forum
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