Pharm Asuku: The Aspirant Who Understands The Assignment »

By Barr Emmanuel, S.O. (FICMC)

It is a great disservice to our collective sensitivity if we only fixed our attention on the qualifications of the aspirants for political offices and ignore their ability to understand the assignment to effectively deliver positive results.

Kogi state witnessed a great turnaround for better in all sectors today because a man who understands the assignment of governance is at the helm of affairs. We talk about GYB Legacy today because the governor perfectly understands what it takes to deliver on the mandate even against all odds.

It is on record that Pharm Asuku’s experience both in the private and public sectors is laced with landmark achievements and probity. As a young Pharmacist, he is on top of his game and he is known as one of the best among his equals. His passion and dedication to deliver on any assignment given played out while he worked in H-Medix and Maritime Academy Oro. He was never found wanting till he left for a political appointment and has no tainted record or ugly incident left behind.

Pharm Asuku’s assignment as a Director General of Protocol injected vibrancy and effectiveness in the office. It is safe to say that the office witnessed a fresh breath while he was in charge, and again he left the office with pride and was appointed to a higher office as the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

As a Chief of Staff he performed so well that his name becomes a household name in Kogi state, little wonder when the Ata Igala, His Royal Majesty,
Agabaidu (Dr) Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa beaded him with an honorary chieftaincy title of Ogochi Ata -Igala, which mean “Bridge Builder”.

As powerful as the office of the Chief of Staff is, Pharm Asuku did not see himself as a demigod or used it to harass, intimidate and suppress the associates, colleagues, or critics of the government. He assumed the responsibility of the office with the requisite understanding of the assignment given to him and he delivered without any query or derailment.

One cannot but conclude that Pharm Asuku is a personification of a popular saying of being “tried and tested”. This is what has set him apart from other aspirants; he always understands the assignment and he has never disappointed.

Pharm Asuku as the Chief of Staff who was in charge of the day-to-day running of the Government and the activities of the Governor has gained a fresh perspective to governance needed to consolidate and sustain the development and legacy of Governor Yahaya Bello.

He has learnt the ups and downs of governance and he never flinched from taking responsibility for his office to serve the best interest of the good people of Kogi state.

This is not to say that Pahrm Asuku is flawless. He may have his shortcomings, but he is teachable, ready to learn from everyone and improve accordingly. He has maintained an open-door policy, probity, and accountability.

To have Pharm Asuku as a Governor of Kogi state is to have a Governor who will not mix politics with governance; is to have a Governor who understands the plights and demands of the people and is to have a Governor who will deliver on his promises and dividend of democracy to all.

Pharm Asuku understands the assignment of governance!

Barr Emmanuel, S.O. (FICMC) writes from Lokoja, Kogi State.