To me, politics is about service; nothing else – Comrade Abdul reflects as he marks his birthday »

COMRADE ABDULLAHI ADAMU popularly called ‘Comrade Abdul’ is the immediate past Lokoja Local Government Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and today is his birthday. It was while in that position that he demonstrated capacity for leadership which exposed him to the present administration of GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO and was appointed member of his Local Government Administrative Team. He is currently an APC stakeholder and has held several party structure positions to entrench trust among the people to his party. To him, leadership – especially political leadership should be about the people and nothing else. He recently spoke with MOHAMMED YABAGI in this interview.

Who is Comrade Abdul?
First and foremost, today is very special to me because it is my birthday.

Happy Birthday

Thank you so much my brother.

Introduce yourself now…

Thank you once more. My name is Comrade Abdullahi Adamu. I am popularly known and referred simply to as ‘Comrade Abdul.’ I was born on the 6th of January, 1984 in Agbaja, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State to the family of Alhaji Ismaaila Adamu Adoga. I attended LGEA Primary School, Agbaja, Petti Nursery and Primary School, Kaduna and St. Mary’s Primary School, Lokoja, respectively for my primary education which I completed in 1993.I then attended Government Science Secondary School, Lokoja and Bishop Delisle College Lokoja where I completed my secondary education in 2001. From there, I proceeded to the famous Federal University of Technology (FUT) in Minna for my tertiary education where I studied Water Resources, Aqua – Culture and Fisheries Technology and graduated in 2011. I was thereafter deployed to Adamawa State but got redeployed to my home state of Kogi for my mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC). While back, I was sent to the State Ministry of Water Resources which was my Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). I was the Health Prefect in Primary School and the Janitor in my secondary school days respectively. While I was holding the position of a Janitor in secondary school, the school management also decided to also make me the Library Prefect. To the glory of Almight God, I was a vibrant and popular leader and Students Union activist whose capacity manifested in many ways. I was nominated into membership of the Students Union Government (SUG) Committee on Students Welfare in Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna (2006). I was the Chairman of the stakeholders committee for the FUT Minna SUG in 2006. I was also into several students and youth related activities for my state and that was why I had a robust interaction with my fellow Kogi State colleagues and was involved severally in protecting the welfare of those from the state. I am the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Allah Is Involved Investment Nigeria Limited, a company I founded immediately after graduation from the university. The company is into Fisheries Consultancy and Supply of General Construction Materials. I was also the Personal Assistant to the Kogi State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon Prince Salisu Sani Ogu, who is more than a friend and a brother, but a Siamese twin. We met in the university where we were comrades together. Before then, I was a Contract staff under Engr. Muhammed Sidi Adamu at MEC Construction Company, Abuja. I was also a Site Manager for Sandtrack Nigeria Ltd, Abuja under Hon Danladi Aguye as CEO. Since joining the APC, I have served in many capacities. I was the Secretary of Hon Haruna Isah Campaign Organisation for House of Representatives Campaign for 2018 bi – election; APC Local Government Collation Agent for 2018 by – election; Member – Venue, Protocol and Entertainment Committee for BELLONOJA2019; Director General – Independent Youth Campaign Team for BELLONOJA2019; APC Local Government Collation Agent 2019 General Election;
Secretary Lokoja LGA APC Leadership Forum; .APC Lokoja LG Collation Agent Nov 2019 Governorship Election; I was in charge and spearheaded the donation of two million naira to His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s Campaign Organisation through NYCN 21 LGAs to purchase his Intent Form, I was also in the same frame for the donation of 1000 faze – caps for the re – election of BELLONOJA2019 thru NYCN 21 Local Government Areas and others too numerous to mention here.

Student leaders have become politicized and have allowed ‘Comradeship’ to be hijacked for other political purposes. Can you say, with all sincerity that you are or were different?

Thank you. I think you have a point, but I beg to differ. Integrity is key in any leadership. Mind you, I am still a Comrade and still involved in youths and students related struggles. Yes I am in politics and I am an active member of the ruling APC. I was a member of the opposition PDP before joining the APC. People who knew how we ran the affairs of the various offices we occupied would tell you I was a vocal person who spoke against anything that affected the youths and students not minding who was in government. Remember, even as a member of the administrative team of Lokoja Local Government, I was in government as an appointee, but when last year, some of my people rose to protest unjust appointments in the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), I joined them and was for the protesters rather than keep quiet even though some persons in government did not want it to happen. So, I am an advocate of anything that would bring positive impact to the society. To me, political leadership and other forms of leadership should be about the people, not one’s self or one’s associates.

What is your leadership philosophy?

To me, when given any position to head, ensure that honour and reliability guides your conduct. These attributes that is key. For instance, as a member of the Electoral committee of my Faculty in 2007, I did not know of my nomination until it came. And I ensured, despite not being the chairman, that the elections that year were free and credible. It was in the same regard that School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) made me the Electoral Chairman in which period one of the most transparent, freest, fairest and the most credible election was conducted. I was also a member of the electoral committee for National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS) in 2008. I was found worthy of service for the National Association of Lokoja ocal Government Students (NALLGS) as the General Secretary and then the National President in 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2005, I was the financial secretary of Oworo Students Union (OSU). This is not forgetting that my position as the Coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in 2012 after which I was re – elected in 2016 brought me closer to public power from where God gave me the opportunity to contest for the position of the State Council which I did not succeed, but God used the opportunity to be appointed as a member of the administrative team for Lokoja Local Government and was in charge of Lands and Housing Development. I was also the Chairman of the coordinators forum of the state NYCN.

What is your view about the public’s call on Governor Bello to contest for the country’s presidency in 2023?

Even though the Governor has not publicly declared his interest, I think it is a good one. He is qualified to contest. He has also done his best in Kogi State since his election in 2016. He has also been able to mobilize the state’s resources for the good of the state. He has changed the face of security for the better in Kogi State, created opportunities for the youths of the state, give opportunities to women and other vulnerable groups in the society. In fact, the Governor has shown that he is a man that is visionary and committed to impacting the society positively. That should be the essence of leadership. If he decides to contest, of course he would be carrying the hopes of the entire north central Nigeria on his shoulders and that is something we should all rally round.

How can you rate the Governor’s performance in his second term?

Well, given that he was sworn in for the second term in January this year and the devastating impact that Coronavirus has had on the world, I think he has tried. Even the way he handled the pandemic itself in the state is commendable. Beyond that, I want to specially thank the Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Edward Onoja; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pharmacist Abdulkarim Muhammad Jamiu Asuku; the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, the CSO; and others close to the Governor for their roles in guiding and assisting His Excellency in the discharge of his duties. They are leaders of repute that have given us sense of belonging in government. I also want to appreciate my brother in Lokoja Local Government politics, Hon Muhammed Dan’Asabe who is the chairman and Hon Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (BEST) and others, especially stakeholders in our great party APC for their steadfastness. I thank them all for the role they have played in the body polity so far.

What is your advice to the people of state?

We have to continue to give necessary support to the current administration in the state. We have challenges as a people and as a state. The best way we can tackle our obvious problems is by working collectively and encouraging those in government, not by unnecessary criticism. We must continue to support and pray for the administration at all times.