nigeria local government

Hon Ibrahim’s strides in Kogi’s govt

Gone are the days when leaders thread with conscience and are mindful of accountable stewardship. Gone is the era when leadership commits to general will and ensures better living conditions for the masses simply because it is their rights to be so provided for.
In these times of self-serving leadership disposition, finding one man who holds himself conscientiously accountable to the people, while wielding the strength, mystery and glory of leadership is akin to discovering an oasis in a desert.
There is still such a man in Honourable Umar Ibrahim, the Chairman, Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State. Ibrahim is a true testament to the desirable quality of our humanity and a worthy example of leadership.
Famous for his self-effacing humility, Honourable Ibrahim is both a successful businessman and politician. His philanthropy and concern for the less privileged is legendary.
He once told a friend that he would rather the earth opens up and swallows him than he goes to see a people in unpleasant circumstances and unable he unable to help out.
He is given to self-denying sacrifice so much so that he gives much of what he has to those who need more. Honourable Ibrahim, for as long as anybody can remember, has continued to extend the sympathies of his heart in what seems like an avowed determination to see that life deals a fair share to all humanity and that those whose time it is to die would die happy knowing that the best of what life had in store for them.
He has demonstrated that the fullness our hearts more the size of our bank account is a true measure of our humanity.
It is not surprising then for all good deeds never go unrewarded, that Honourable Ibrahim was appointed as special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Idris on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
In this position, he is reputed to have deployed his amiable personality and diplomacy in bringing about needed transformation and probity in the affairs of the department.
He continued to endear himself to the people who in turn yearned to have him in loftier positions.
The people’s wish for their man was granted when following the dissolution of the local government councils in the state, he became the liaison officer 1 for Bassa council.
Within the few months that he served as liaison officer 1 for the council, he recorded remarkable achievements which included among others the building of a modern local government secretariat, a standard central mosque, completion of the new NYSC lodge, vigorous pursuit of the upgrading of electricity to the national grid,as well as repairs and extension of road networks in the council.
Today, Ibrahim sits as the Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State and the people are in an upbeat mood,filled with expectation dream and hopes of a rendition of his characteristic goodness.
The challenges before him are legion. From household poverty to educational backwardness and inadequacy of institutional and social infrastructure,Honourable Umar must live up to his midas touch reputation.

•Musa Wada (08035937424 writes from Abuja.

Published in Letters in Tribune Newspaper

Monday, 24 June 2013 00:00