Bai Gemade: Symbol Of Altruistic Leadership
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), famous English poet, playwright and actor had opined about greatness that “some are born great, others achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust on them”.
The choice to appropriately attempt a fair discourse on the emergence and eventful existence of some uncommon individuals who undoubtedly achieved immeasurable greatness given an impressive and untainted credentials in public circles most often appear quite herculean a task to exhaustively deal with conveniently.
This is such that, the height of their acknowledged brilliance in achievements, celebrated antecedents and profound feat appear much elaborate and have continued to hold admirers head on from time. For one, the unique persona and distinctive character of Senator Dr. Barnabas Andyar Iyorher Gemade, OFR, had presented quite an elaborate forms of positive events which effectively has strong significance and bearing on fellow man that time, paper and ink can barely contain.
Moreso, when one attempts to articulate some of these epic, yet valuable exploits to motherland of this rare matchless figure, it will indeed appear expressions too infinite to conclude. Difficult as this may seem, history may never spare critical minds who may fail to unburden this moral burden of elaborately bringing to the fore some of these unique sterling qualities, uncommon character and salient contributions of this exceptional leader that has come to be known and identified with impactful strides on society and mankind over the last decades.
Curiously too, Gemade, who effectively is the Senator, Representing Benue North – East Senatorial District had unarguably, induced by sheer patriotism learnt to suppress self-pursuits in pure pursuant to the more rewarding path of advancing the cause of fellow man, whilst ensuring a better world through a demonstration of very striking nationalistic conduct and an admirable display of the culture of benevolence in dealing with many.
These values, Observers have traced more to the charismatic leadership prowess of a rising sun, who appears to be baked largely in humane comportment midst the downtrodden whose challenges and yearnings he has grown to fully feel, reckon with, embrace and work assiduously to transform for good.
From his first public outing as a Private Civil Engineer, his subsequently meteoric rise through the ranks to become the Managing Director and CEO of a notable Cement factory in Africa, to the enviable heights of a Federal Secretary (Minister), and his eventual selection as member, National Constitutional Conference baring his nationalistic mindset, his public service experience and political feat, to becoming the National Chairman of a once great party on the continent, and now serving as a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria-Occupying very salient committees of national interest, it has been about the people and how to change their socio-economic and political status for the better.
The central philosophy of the gem in Senator Gemade is unquestionably relied on the vision, that audacity of hope and the courage invested in an altruistic leader and his noble mandate that seeks to liberate and change the conditions of humanity for good. This he has succeeded in achieving without an iota of regret and its volumes and essence on his Tiv kinsmen particularly, and fellow Nigerians can only be imagined than expressed in its entirety.
Early in the 80s, Engr. Barnabas Gemade began by fervently making young entrepreneurs and professionals more self-sustained and dignified in their distinct careers by allocating to them very challenging and rewarding engagements when he was appointed MD of Benue Cement back in 1985. It was intended that these same professionals would begin to develop and support other aspiring professionals and would-be leaders to advance even development and create a nation of self-sustained individuals with added wealth creation in the land.
While this erudite Engineer lasted at the helm of management, he moved largely to empower more than 500 entrepreneurs who became distributors of the finished cement product. Some of those whom Gemade had earlier mentored both at technical and managerial levels later took over the management of the industry, and other feeder companies, while most them are at various professional and administrative cadres undertaking different tasks at MDAs and private sector organizations across the country.
It was therefore in little wonder when this meticulous manager of men and resources was later appointed the (Secretary) Minister of Works by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida in 1992. His deeper selfless drive to keep the people premium in his itinerary became manifestly profound. Many of his kinsmen received added feathers in their career and social status.
Several other Nigerians were also not left out in this empowerment drive as many were equally awarded contracts to undertake various infrastructural developments in the nation. Prominently one of the renowned estates in West Africa, the Gwarinpa Housing Estate, Abuja was built by this segments. This too was key to human capital development effort. Several career Tiv sons and daughters especially those in the Engineering profession had their services transferred to the Federal Service. Gemade equally ensured the appointment of at least three (3) Tiv Executive Directors to various Federal Corporations.
During Gemade’s tenures first as Minister, and later as a party national chairman, he never minced about his consistent resolve to open up the infrastructure and other gainful opportunities largely for Benue state and others. He has several road networks linking Benue and other states to his credit and largely to the society’s benefit making same better and well modernized than he had met it.
Chief Barnabas Gemade became National Chairman of the then ruling PDP at a time when some notable intriguing political events in the country became glaring, yet he never buckled on his effort to keep up the socio-economic turnaround of the people. He empowered them adequately, roundly appointed them into Boards of Federal Agencies, parastatals, Departments, and other federal institutions.
Some prominent Benue sons and daughters to mention a few were:-Edward Ashiekaa, now Senior Advocate of Nigeria was appointed Board member, Corporate Affairs Commission. Chief Stephen Lawani, an Idoma breed politician and former Deputy Governor of Benue state was Board member,Aluminum Smelter. Senator Jack Gyado, Chairman of Board, Kaduna Refineries and later Special Adviser to the PDP National Chair. Others in this range of Board membership were; S.I Nyaga (National Hospital), Late S.J.I Akure (cooperative Bank), Late Dr. Liambee Shande- Nigerian Railway Corporation. Mr. Stephen Biam – University of Lagos Board, Terry Wayas , a prominent business Tycoon as PPMC member. Others included Chief Varen Ayaka, Chief Isaac Shaahu – Federal College of Education Amaafu. Clement Tsetse, NHIS. Mike Mku, Former Gubernatorial aspirant in Benue state, was later appointed SSA to the President on Human Trafficking, Late JKI Ugela, Iortyom Yough amongst others.
The list of Gemade’s Human upliftment policy can hardly be satisfied without mention to Revd. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, one of the finest leaders Benue had produced. He was former Executive Governor of Benue State, who had been acknowledged for vast infrastructural drive including the bringing on board of the Benue State University. Prior to this time he was appointed a Federal Commissioner, ICPC, a position believed to have been largely influenced by the patriotic efforts of chief BAI Gemade.
Even as a political veteran and former Chairman of a National party, Gemade never changed his positive principles and progressively inclined acts. With an unwavering zeal, he stood at all times to resist undue, unprofitable politicking and the pull him down syndrome among self-seeking political players, but rather remained resolute to champion and advance positive agenda for the upliftment of mankind and building national bulwarks. Many felt his continued agenda of placing the people above self was what was needed at the time. This is greatness! This is leadership in altruism! This is selflessness!
This is what the people had always needed and yearned for, not unnecessary cankerous politics of backstabbing and pull-him-down syndrome as practiced by most egoistic political leaders which several of them have come to be identified and known for. Development and opportunities have far alluded our sense of growth and development. Democracy has been far too fetched since its return in 1999. The leadership must at all times rise to collectively give credence to the people’s aspirations and wishes rather than fight retrogressive innate driven purposes.
Gemade himself in the spirit of camaraderie and brotherliness had supported fellow man to attain their full potentials and aspirations. He stood for Lawan/Akume Senate Unity forum’s ticket to the latter without recourse to advancing his personal political objectives even though himself was overtly and covertly qualified to vie for same.
He stood for former president Jonathan to allow that a minority becomes president in the event of the leadership altercation at the demise of the Late President Yar’ Adua. He stood principally for President Muhamadu Buhari to become President in 2015 because he believed in the change dream. He was equally counted and became a fierce voice at the Senate, back home and at every public fora to condemn the obscene activities of Fulani herdsmen against his Tiv people and other sections of Nigeria.
Senator Dr. BAI Gemade, the Nom Iyange U Tiv still remains the shining sun that illuminates the face of humanity. He is still the same leader who remembers that greatness can only be found in selfless service and keeping the people premium to one’s advancement.
Today, pundits conveniently assert much of the positive strides of this leader on humanity and on why he roundly deserves ultimately to be accorded same measure of sacrifice given to mankind. Indeed a clearheaded, upright, forthright and virtuous leader of immense public credentials; his patriotic dealings with his followers still remains remarkable.
This Rising Sun still rises to effectively impact and illuminate the face of humanity.
AKOSU EMMANUEL LUBEM
Freelance Journalist and Public Affairs Analyst
MMc, off Bedochi Hotel byTamara Guest House, Wuse Zone 11, Abuja
e- mail: [email protected] , Text: 07038578549