As I settled into my seat on a plane from Benin City to Abuja, I started having a phone conversation with my wife as usual, to let her know that we were going to be air bound and my phone was going to be off for the next fourty five minutes, I could not help but noticed the dignified gentleman, characterised by simplicity and humility but full of vigour. His height is just one aspect of his numerous personalities; this trait could make anybody mistake him for a serving officer of the Armed Forces. With his eyes fixed on a vacant seat beside me, he lavished a toothy smile and struck up a conversation as he approached me. I was immediately drawn to his warm and genuine smile, and he said “sai da nzi” which were the last words I said to my wife on the phone, meaning good bye in Bura. Anyone who has encountered our people from Southern Borno would be familiar with this phrase.
I concluded he could be a Karekare man from Yobe State, and I mentioned it to him because of the friendship and jokes between Bura and the Karekare people. To my surprise, he said that he is from Jigawa State, and he retired from the Civil Service as Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of works after thirty five years of service, as if it was not enough shock, he said “I retired two years ago, and now a serving Senator”. I was thrilled, and I said to him in awe, thank God for giving me a mentor for free, I want to look like you when I retire. Despite thirty five years of service and eventually retired, Senator Babangida Hussaini looks remarkably younger than his age, exuding a vitality that was so inspiring. I asked him the secret behind his looks and he said, it is by having the fear of God and having good heart towards people. His words have stayed with me ever since as a reminder of the transformative power of human connection and emulation. His humility put me at ease and we discussed his journey in the Federal Civil Service and experience. His kindness, empathy, and generosity were palpable, and I found myself feeling seen and heard by a distinguished Senator in a way that is rare in this dispensation. Indeed, I feel grateful to have met Senator Babangida Hussaini.
Of course, matters arising from IBB’s Book Launch were current and we discussed a couple of past leaders of Nigeria and we concluded that taming youthful exuberance is the foundation to becoming an elder statesman. He said “take my number” I took the number and dialed it to be sure I got it right because I know not where to meet him again. I was profoundly impressed about his insightful perspectives and passion for nation building. He is a selfless leader who embodies intelligence, kindness, humility, and generosity. I must confess that Senator Babangida Hussaini’s youthful energy and appearance despite his thirty five years of meritorious service before retirement and unprecedented achievements amazed me. Alas! Landing preparation was announced and he said to me “I am in room 102 if you find time, Plenary is on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday” implying I am free to visit him in the National Assembly on Monday or Friday, what an invitation! Senator Babangida Hussaini’s selflessness of bringing joy and companionship to those around him was obvious and incredible, his kindness was superb and inspired me to re-evaluate my own priorities to find ways to make positive impact on people.
Little did I know that this chance encounter on a plane could leave a lasting impression on me, to be so inquisitive about the life and works of a Distinguished Senator. Another impressive attribute of Senator Babamgida Hussaini is his exceptional emotional intelligence which is evident in his ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. He possesses a unique ability to understand and empathise with the emotions, ignorance and needs of others, making him an apt mediator and problem solver. I observed him with keen interest and noticed everything he did while we were asked to exit the airplane row by row without congesting the aisle when we landed. His exceptional social skills could earn him respect and admiration anywhere, and in any situation. No wonder, his friends and colleagues call him “The Stabilizer”.
As a Doctorate Degree holder, my quest for knowledge and truth which is the general perspective of education, led me to several pages where I found that Senator Babangida Hussaini, the good man as I envisaged was just a tip of an ice berg. He has gained the confidence and acceptance of his people so much as a result of his good works, and was conferred with a revered traditional title of Walin Kazaure. Interestingly, I found that my affirmation of thanking God for giving me a mentor for free was corroborated by Activist-Isma’eel S. Jauro, who appreciated God for making his path crossed that of Distinguished Senator Babangida Hussaini (Walin Kazaure) from whom he learnt how to be generous without expecting anything in return from people. In a world that seems overwhelmingly polarised, most assuredly, Senator Babangida Hussaini’s kindness, intelligence, humility, and generosity is a beacon of hope. I also realised that he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to serving his people and the nation at large. He has been instrumental in facilitating scholarships, infrastructural development, and poverty alleviation programmes in his constituency. His generosity is vividly reflected in his philanthropic activities of providing education and healthcare to the populace such as paying medical bills for indigent patients, providing financial support for widows and orphans, and supporting people during Ramadan irrespective of political affiliation. He has sponsored numerous community development projects, including construction of skills acquisition centers, provision of portable water, and solar street lights among others.
My instinct did not fail me in any way, as I found that Senator Babangida Hussaini (Walin Kazaure) is known as someone who goes out of his way to assist individuals he encounter in numerous ways. This hallmark of indomitable leadership is earning him respect, admiration within and outside his constituency and the nation at large. Despite his impressive impetus of achievements, he remains humble and focused to deliver service to his people in order to achieve sustainable development in his constituency and beyond, hence, his new role as the Chairman Senate Committee on North West Development Commission. His pedigree and quintessential intellectual prowess across various domains including Legislative matters are adequate for chairing the Senate Committee on North West Development Commission. His legacy will certainly continue to inspire future generations of leaders to be good not only when vying for a political position but as a life style.
In conclusion, Senator Babangida Hussaini (Walin Kazaure) is a leader worthy of emulation, he has the capacity to attract meaningful development in his constituency and the whole of North West Region and the nation at large. His appointment as the Chairman Senate Committee on North West Development Commission was excellent, taking into cognisance his optimism for brighter future for the region. His vast experience in the State, and Federal Civil Service spanning more than three decades, and his experience in legislative matters is more than adequate for surmounting developmental challenges to attract investment and economic growth to improve quality of life among people in the North West region and the nation at large. Congratulations to the North West region and the nation at large. I am sure Distinguished Senator Babangida Hussaini (Walin Kazaure) sees this as a golden opportunity to champion a paradigm shift.
~ Dr Daniel writes from Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State and can be reached via yankuri1@yahoo.com
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