By Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir
God has given us the gift of life; it is up to us as humans to give ourselves the gift of living well. If there’s anything a man like Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has done, it is living well. And when I say living well, I mean he has lived not basically for himself but for the people.
Indeed, birthdays are not counting the years; it’s more about making the years count.
The death of the late sage, Dr Abubakar Olusola Saraki and his annual remembrance, always avail me the opportunity to reflect on that aphorism, “making the years count”. It is the same dictum that seems to propel the heir, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki to toe that same path and make his time worthy in life.
Even when he is yet to reach the pinnacle, he has made a desirable mark for himself by doing the unthinkable, winning battles, crossing man-made hurdles and yet living for others to live. What else does it mean to make the years count?
The time I was further moved to admire, respect and trust the former President of the Nigeria Senate, has been his years outside public office. Many Nigerians believe the impact is only possible when you are in office. They believe leaders portray selflessness, compassion and direction only while in office or quest for one. Saraki has proved this wrong. We have seen in him, a man genuinely committed to the human race and how to make it worthwhile. We have seen in him, a man who naturally loves the common man and loves to identify with them without fatigue. We have seen in him, a man who derives his joy from others’ cheerfulness.
It was in recent years that I also learnt a priceless trait of leadership which is forgiveness. It amazes me to see Dr Saraki show compassion towards those who he brought to the limelight but who eventually stabbed him in the back. It’s rare to see a man embrace sycophants who left him high and dry during his days of trial and persecution, yet comes through for them when in the abyss. That is Saraki for you, taking the bullet for others to survive, notwithstanding the hurt.
Leadership, they say is everything. The Waziri Ngeri has indeed proved that it’s not about glorious crowning acts. It’s keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high.
No doubt, the opposition would have been reduced to nothing if not for influential leaders like Saraki. There’s no gainsaying that even the ruling party courts him, but the sacrificial Saraki has chosen to choose the harder right rather than the easier wrong.
The Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate has a knack for unlocking people’s potential. Saraki does not only identify such individuals but also grooms them and gives them the platform and backing to materialize in the interest of all. Saraki is that man who leads from behind and puts others in front, especially when the going is smooth. The same Saraki takes the front line when the going gets tough. There has never been a time when the former Senate President shied away from hardships. Even in the face of persecution, he sacrificed himself and his political status and refused to give in to any form of intimidation.
The former Presidential hopeful is no doubt worthy of celebration. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities is truly admirable while his passion and dedication to serving the people is second to none. Today is thus, another opportunity to celebrate a worthy leader and let him know we are inspired by his exemplary life. Keep ageing like a fine wine, the Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir is the Press Officer on Local Matters, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office