An Ode To The Wazirin: A Patriot And A Statesman -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

One personality that has featured prominently in the Nigerian landscape in the area of politics, public administration, civil advocacy and business in Nigeria in the last four decades is His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, GCON, the former vice-president of the country (1999-2007). Atiku who is the Wazirin of Adamawa was born into a poor family in Jada in the Ganye Emirate council of Adamawa State in 1946. Atiku’s story is an inspiring story of resilience, perseverance and determination to succeed. Being orphaned very early in his life, he survived many adversities to achieve success in his life.

After his early education that took him to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the young Atiku got employed into the Nigerian Customs Services and rose to the rank of Deputy Director of customs (the second highest position then) before he resigned in 1989 for private business, before joining partisan politics under the tutelage of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. When the latter died under Abacha’s persecution, Atiku assumed the leadership Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). His PDM was one of the legacy political groups that formed the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998.

From the onset Atiku left no one in doubt that he was destined for greatness. His customs career that took him to different parts of the country gave him the opportunity to interact with a broad spectrum of Nigerian people and made him understand the multi-cultural nature of the country; a factor that shaped his strong patriotic fervor. And despite being very intelligent, Atiku’s services at the Customs made him interact with business men also and thus stimulated his interest in business so much so that he achieved instant success the moment he veered into business upon his exit from the Customs.

The Nigerian former number two citizen seems to have success trail his part in everything that he ventured into in life. In the customs he reached the peak of his career before his voluntary retirement. In business, Atiku is a giant. He is a business mogul and a corporate icon. He ran a conglomerate employing tens of thousands of Nigerians, with investments across different sectors of the Nigeria economy and beyond. And in politics, he is a colossus; for many years he was the go-to name for the power brokers. Among all the political gladiators in Nigeria today, Atiku stands out as the most experienced and the most patriotic. He is described as a bridge-builder and the most detribalized politician in Nigeria today. His sacrifices for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria is nonpareil. In the 90s, he was part of the progressive forces that battled the military for the return of civil rule in Nigeria that was eventually restored in 1999.

Atiku is a dogged fighter and advocate of unity, peace and justice. He believes in justice, equity and fairness and hence he champions the crusade for restructuring and fiscal federalism in the country, a factor is vehemently opposed by the government of the All progressives Congress (APC). He is courageous and has never shied away from speaking out in defense of the people especially the poor and the vulnerable. He believes that the primary purpose of governance is to protect the people and promote their welfare. And hence, he advocates wealth creation and people’s empowerment and follows this up personally and practically through acts of charity and philanthropy. He made many social investments targeted at building capacity and empowering his people and encouraged those in privilege positions to do so.

In recognition of his numerous contributions to for the advancement of democracy and good governance, Atiku has in his kitty many local and international awards. The US National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) described Atiku thusly: “No private businessman in Africa has worked harder for democracy or contributed more to the progress of higher education than Atiku Abubakar…” during the presentation of the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award to Him in 2011 during the 50th anniversary of US Peace Corps.

Atiku is a man of honor whose life is an inspiration to us. As he marks his 79th birthday I join members of his family and the millions of his associates and admirers in wishing him a happy birthday. I wish the Wazirin many more fruitful years of sound health and continued service to our great country.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed 

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK