Adamawa Elders’ Forum Honours Mustapha, Babachir

Former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Barr Boss Mustapha, has encouraged youths to be diligent in utilising advantages for their growth.

During a reception for him at his country home of Hong, Adamawa State, Mustapha recalled how he grew from the modest background of being the son of a local headmaster to becoming the third most important man in the federal executive Council.

Mustapha at the grand civic reception organised for him and his predecessor, Engr Babachir Lawal, by the Hoba Elders Forum, who chose to honour their sons who alternately held the SGF office within the eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, said any hardworking youth could become anything, God helping him.

Mustapha, who was  SGF from November 1, 2017 to May 29, 2023, said, “Do not think that the level of your father or where you hail from will determine your level in life. If the son of a headmaster would become administratively the number three man after the president and vice president, you can as well aspire to be president of Nigeria. Don’t roam around lamenting. Seek opportunities and work tenaciously and you will get the position destined for you.”

The acting chairman of the Hoba Elders Forum, Barr Alheri Nyako, who gave an insight into the Grand Civic Reception for Boss Mustapha and Babachir Lawal, said the Hoba people cherish the record of having produced the two SGFs who held office throughout the eight years of the last administration at the federal level.

“We are proud that our sons served Buhari and Nigeria with admirable dedication. Boss received at least two letters of commendation from Buhari,” he said.

Giving an example of how well Mustapha did as chairman of the then Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the forum acting chairman said it was through the rare commitment of Mustapha that Nigeria was rated as one of the countries that responded most efficiently to the COVID-19 crisis.

In a goodwill message, the Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Barkindo Mustafa, said the Adamawa Emirate is proud of both Mustapha and Babachir Lawal.

“It is unprecedented that a state, let alone a local government area, would produce two secretaries to the federal government in a continuous stretch,” the royal father said, commending the Hoba Elders Forum for leading the effort to honour the two former top federal government officials.

Also speaking, the minister of education, Professor Tahir Mamman, described Mustapha as a workaholic whose productivity transcended the office of the SGF.

Mamman who was the national vice chairman (North East) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) when Mustapha was the SGF, said he was a stabilising force when the party was in crisis.