AN INDELIBLE REWARD FROM GOV. ABDULRAHMAN 0F KWARA STATE

By Dr Toyin Nassamu

It is an undisputable fact that I played a glaringly front-line role in torch-lighting the ills, managerial incompetence, maladministration, lack of love and compassion for the people which was the signature of the successive unprogressive governments of Kwara’s locust years, which tormented my people for almost 16 years, until fortune smiled on us last year when the historic otoge revolution swept the gluttons away.

While I was using every opportunity offered me virtually, thanks to Zukerberg and physically at any given opportunity, I wasn’t doing so because salary nonpayment affected me directly or because I expected contract, appointment or any form of patronage from the deposed dynasty and was disappointed.

My only driving force was the fact that, Kwara wasn’t competing favourably with its peers, poverty grew to an unenviable height of replacing the identity of our people, traveling home was a nightmare as one will be faced with abject poverty, reckless abandon to fate of the ordinary folks on the street, while a microscopic conscienceless few smiled to the banks, populate the GRA and oppress, devalue and take away the innocence of our young girls.

I joined several young, vibrant and foresighted Kwara youths to look beyond the lucre on the offer by the deposed men to team with likeminds across the 3 Senatorial districts to change the sad and unenviable narratives of a serially raped Kwara under an arrogant, monolithically focused conqueror.

I was fixated with the dream of sending away the unrepentant lucifers and obdurate satans before my 4 years old boy attains the age of adolescent. I can’t imagine him growing up to start complaining about things I used my early adult life to bemoan.

I often times traveled down to Ilorin fortnightly to join my comrades in struggle to further cement our strategies on how to enlighten the electorates on the consequences of maintaining the status quo.

Fast forward to few months after the elections, when the ugly rumour of a brewing internecine war within the ranks of the progressives flew around, I dismissed it as one of such fake news aimed at distracting the government of the then newly sworn-in Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who had upon swearing-in demystified government and governance.

When weeks ran into months, I was introduced and engaged in a forced conjugal bliss with my worst fears, as the crack occasioned by the internecine war became imposingly glaring.

It was then I concluded that we’ve only changed faces, nothing seem to be encouraging. I made this sad conclusion knowing how infighting and avoidable skirmishes can distract the most focused of men. Even the divinely guided prophets found it hard coping with avoidable distractions in their days.

However, a chanced 8 minute encounter with Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq earlier today have rekindled my hope and reassured me that the Òtoge revolution was one of best things to ever happen to Kwara since its creation and we were divinely guided to send the gluttons away.

Thursday started like a normal day for me, not knowing fate had some dramatic and unexplainable shocks for me, I left home for the National Reference Laboratory, the venue of the Leadership and Management Training. Few hours later, I remembered my planned Lunch break with long time friend, a Kwaran and fellow Comrade who recently returned from Accra.

I jumped into my car and left for Yobe House, Central Bussiness District, Abuja around 1:30pm dressed casually. I was walking up the staircase to see my friend at Africa Exchange Holdings Limited (AFEX) when I saw a look alike figure of the governor of my dear State descending from the stairs.

I felt I was hallucinating, but the more he came closer, the more confused I became, I was trying to console myself with the age long truism that we were all created in ‘twos’ by the Almighty when I summoned the courage to greet him by saying “Your Excellency Sir.”

He stopped, looked at me smiling without any aura of office, greeted me warmly as if we’ve known for ages. I introduced myself as a medical practitioner from Kwara and he went ecstatic.

He immediately started briefing me about what he met on ground, how he’s been able to steady the boat, his plans for Kwara among other things, I felt honoured to receive ‘presidential’ briefing from my governor who although, I worked, risked my life and expended my fortune to berth his government, yet we never met one on one until today.

I offered one or two opinion on how I feel he could better handle some issues and sectors and I was marveled at how he was profusely thanking me for offering him ideas and showing interest in the progressive movement of our dear State.

He then used the chanced opportunity to tap from my professional experience as a medical doctor with specialisation in public health on the ravaging Corona Virus (CONVID-19) and Lassa Fever which was recently reported in Baruten local government area of the State, along the Nigerian-Benin international border among other health challenges facing the State.

He charged me to please always prioritise project Kwara and show more than a passing interest in how is State is being governed, he stressed that even though i played significant roles in the Òtoge struggle, yet I have more contributions I must make if Kwara must be great.

He left me with a parting word that touched my conscience, he said “For me and my generation, we’re beyond our prime, it’s just the grace of God that we’re still around, if not for the decades of setbacks in Kwara, your generation and not mine should be calling the shots today, please always strive to contribute your quota towards making Kwara the bride of all once again”.

I was awed by his humility and passion, and now I can justify why my friend and brother, Com. Abdulrasheed Akogun of Fresh Insight always write scintillating words whenever he meets the new Sheriff in our dearly beloved State.

Juxtaposing this encounter with my numerous encounters with opportunist appointees or aides of appointees under the previous administrations, where the pomposity and arrogance of office was boldly written in capital letters all over them, I couldn’t but thank the Lord Almighty for making me an Òtoge crusader or Òtoge avenger (like some would like to call us) when it wasn’t fanciful to so do.

When the governor said his byes and left quitely, I stood akimbo for almost 30 seconds thinking about what just happened and upon turning around, I was the cynosure of all eyes.

I sensed the onlookers thinking, this Doctor must be a big man to have such a friendly and comradere discussion with his State governor, I smiled, raised my shoulder and walked majestically to my destination.

Now I am a fulfilled man, knowing that one of the major achievements of the otoge struggle, was practically showcased to me uncensored. It’s unheard of an ordinary citizen like me to stop an high ranking official of government of my State and immediately he answered me with utmost respect and humility and briefed me about the progresses made with our collective struggle.

Now I can proudly nurture my 4 years old boy to grow a proud Kwaran, knowing that all Kwarans can henceforth stop a government functionary on the road and ask for his score card.

Dr Toyin Nassamu is an Abuja based Public Health Physician. He is also the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Abuja.