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I met him before I knew him. I got to know him long before I met him. He has always stood out. He will always stand out. The faith he professes and his ethnicity do not coincide in the imagination of many, but he is the bridge that many do not know exist. He’s a soft-spoken Gentleman with intense fire in the belly. Compassionate and civil, yet courageous. He is a passionate patriot, sold to good causes. You can always tell where he stands, as he always stands up, standing out for his belief. Have you been to Kogi State Polytechnic in recent times? Have you heard about the developmental strides in Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja? That’s the Man behind it. The face of Kogi state government.
Oh! I wondered at the man. His courage and conviction. I was struck by his selflessness and that seeming lack of hesitation to put himself in the harm’s way for the sake of others. For those who don’t know. For those who might never know. For those whom we have come to see, decades after, lack the sense of context and history to properly appreciate that uncommon demonstration of strength by one man who chose, at a most critical juncture, that the man in him will not die. He’s the uncommon man refining Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
Sometimes, he is there, unseen, unknown to most, pulling the strings. Sometimes, he has to put his name and himself on the line, to lead from the front. At every point, he has been there to turn the knob or work with others to do so. He has fought so many battles, solely, in conventional and unconventional ways. His own way. At considerable risk to his life and welfare. That’s the dislodgement of Miracles centre, extortions, sharp practice’s amongst others.
He hardly make these battles personal, never dwelling on the scars, not wanting a mention of the sacrifices made in the cause of his marathon fight for justice. Ever the Gentleman, he is able to bend backward to show that unbelievably benevolent side of his, even to those who had hurt him.
His softspeak is difficult to reconcile with the virulence and power in his words. His words reverberate across walls, transcending boundaries, yet the man will rather recoil into the quietude of his world. The intensity of his thoughts and words take them far and wide. So driven by love for humanity, yet intensely private. The unassuming man doing it greatly .
He’s an enigma. With him, there is really none to compare. Good thing he got several awards, commendations and traditional title. Seeing how much some detest him simply for succeeding. His iconoclastic ways set him apart. The myths, unanswered questions, untold stories make him one whose life will only begin in different forms even when he passes.
The man In him will not die. He will live long. He will live and live on, generations to come, in his body of work. He will continue to live through his words, thoughts, songs and the seeds he has sown in hearts and minds.
He’s a big fish and a man with a date with DESTINY.
He’s Omaoja’Ata, the People’s servant.
– Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK
