F-GYB: A Leader Who Builds Leaders, Not Errand Boys »

In the exact words of His Excellency, Kashim Shettima during the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s One year anniversary, “I will never stop celebrating Alhaji Yahaya Bello. You can call him names, you can demonize him, but he deserves special recognition for not seeing Governor Ododo as his errand boy. He respects him, values him, and steps aside for him and very few leaders have that quality. If you see a predecessor and a successor quarrelling, believe me, 70% of the blame will come from the predecessor.”

This is my stance on FGYB. He possesses unique characteristics that distinguish him from other leaders at all levels. For Senator Kashim Shettima whose choice of candidate succeeded him as Governor of Borno State, backed by deep political experience to have made such a statement openly about FGYB speaks volumes. Indeed, FGYB is a leader every upcoming politician would wish to have as a mentor, one who ensures their political growth without using and dumped them.

Shettima is widely commended for producing a good successor in Borno State and, unlike many politicians, he did not interfere with the governor’s administration or turn him into an errand boy. Similarly, beyond FGYB not reducing his successor to an errand boy, he created an enabling environment for his mentees to grow alongside him. He does not discriminate; instead, he has built leaders who, in turn, can nurture others within their own capacities.

In 2019, after his reelection, he made a strong statement:

“Where were you in 2016 if you now say I should do away with these appointees?”

This statement reflects his deep appreciation for those who contributed to his struggle, even when others doubted his ability to win the governorship. I heard of someone who donated a car to his campaign in 2016 by the end of FGYB’s tenure, this person had risen to a level where he could contest for governor of the state. Similarly, someone who lost an opportunity in the National Assembly because he supported FGYB in the primaries was later empowered to the extent that he is now capable of contesting for governorship.

Unlike many politicians who, after securing victory, abandon those who supported them and instead appoint their old friends from Abuja, other states, or even abroad, FGYB stands out. Some leaders make flimsy excuses citing age or your course of study to deny their supporters opportunities. Many have built leaders, but the way and manner in which FGYB has done it is entirely different.

When you examine the biographies of many so-called “leaders” that some politicians claim to have nurtured, you often find they come from wealthy families, meaning they might have paid for their mentorship. But FGYB’s mentees are different. They’re children of nobody. He takes every opportunity to introduce his mentees to high-profile figures. We all saw the pictures when he traveled with them to Katsina to visit former President Muhammadu Buhari. The same happened in 2023 when PBAT visited our state during the presidential campaign, FGYB introduced his mentees to him. Just last week, when Shettima visited our state for Governor Ododo’s one-year anniversary, FGYB did the same.

Many people claim that their setbacks during FGYB’s administration were because they never had the opportunity to meet him face to face. This, in itself, is proof of his generosity, he is a leader who believes that those who serve him should not remain stagnant but should progress in life. Unfortunately, some of those who benefited from his generosity refuse to extend the same gesture to others, which is contrary to FGYB’s vision.

Some politicians will not even allow those who served them to meet a commissioner along with them, let alone the governor himself.

As a politician, before you criticize or condemn FGYB, ask yourself:

How many people who contributed to your success have you truly uplifted?

Have you turned tenants among your supporters into landlord?

How many children of “nobodies” have you mentored and empowered to succeed you in the office you occupy?

Have you introduced any of them to your boss?

What positive impact have you had on their lives since they met you?

Are they growing as you are growing?

You can hate FGYB and demonize him, but he remains a leader that every upcoming politician would wish to have as a mentor.

I and many other youths will continue to cherish FGYB despite not being opportune to meet with him face to face, we know who is our enemy.

Engr Ira Habib