ABATEMI-USMAN: A SENATOR'S STERLING LEADERSHIP QUALITY
According to Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), the great author, hunter, naturalist and explorer, who was the 26th American President between 1901 and 1909, “the most successful politician is he who says what the people are thinking most often in the loudest voice”. In the words of John Calvin Maxwell, an evangelical Christian author, speaker, and pastor, born in 1947 and has over 60 books in his kitty written by him, principally focusing on leadership, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”.
For Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897 – April 8, 1993), one of the most celebrated African-American singers in the twentieth century, “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it”. Napoleon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769 – May 5, 1821), a French military and political leader, who rose to prominence during the later stages of the French Revolution and its related wars in Europe, noted that “A leader is a dealer in hope”.
When Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman declared his intention to contest the Senatorial seat for Kogi Central on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prior to the April 2011 general election, not many believed he was going to get anywhere in the race. He was perhaps seen as a political tenderfoot, who may not really have the financial muscle and understanding required to withstand the calibre of people involved in the race.
Nonetheless, Abatemi-Usman went into the contest with strong determination and conviction, and on April 9, 2011, he surprised the entire people of Ebiraland, when he emerged victorious at the main poll, after defeating thirteen known political heavyweights in the area to clinch Kogi Central PDP Senatorial ticket.
Popularly known as ‘Deen’, analysts interpreted his triumph to mean that the people of the area are apparently fed up of the old order. The people have for long sought for a change in the political climate of the zone, as they believed that their leaders so far have failed to meet their yearnings and aspirations.
This, however, is said to be the reason why the emergence of Abatemi-Usman as Senator representing Kogi Central was greeted with great joy and enchantment from the people. In fact, his total acceptance by the people was shown by the way Okene, the zonal headquarters of the senatorial district, erupted into wild street jubilation and celebration, when he was declared winner of the NASS election for Kogi Central. The Ebira people were of the belief that his victory against all odds may have opened up a new vista and era that promised dynamic and robust representation for the Senatorial District.
Abatemi-Usman, the youngest Senator in the Upper Chamber of the current National Assembly is evidently living up to the expectations of the people. He has since assumption of office undoubtedly demonstrated his ability to lead and shown his very deep understanding and knowledge of the workings of the legislative processes, having worked as an aide to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole. Since the inauguration of the seventh federal parliament on June 6, 2011, the vibrant, ebullient, eloquent and soft-spoken Senator has invariably been in the news on account of his laudable contributions on the floor of the Senate and his activities at the home front.
Without the slightest ado, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) graduate had immediately kicked off the struggle for the completion of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), a project which has been heedlessly abandoned by successive governments, despite its monumental significance to the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy. Before embarking on a three-day visitation programme to all federal agencies and institutions within Kogi Central in August last year, the Senator had held series of meetings with the Minister of Mines and Steel, Mohammed Sada, most of his colleagues and major stakeholders in the steel sector. The thrust of the meetings was essentially on the way forward for the actualisation of the Ajaokuta Steel project, which is said to have the capacity to engage over two million Nigerians directly and indirectly when completed.
During his visit to ASCL and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, as part of the visitation programme, Abatemi-Usman did not mince words on his pronouncement about the Ajaokuta Steel Project. The young man said he would not go to sleep until the project fully comes to fruition, noting that his assurance was anchored on the promise of President Goodluck Jonathan to revive the facility for Nigeria to achieve its vision of being among the twenty (20) industrialized nations of the world by the year 2020. The Senator has relentlessly used every occasion at his disposal to tell the Federal Government what the country as a whole stands to benefit from the full operation of the steel company, even though his people would be the immediate beneficiaries as the host community.
Born on May 6, 1971, the accomplished professional with a wide range of experience in engineering, agriculture and management consultancy, has become one of the most vocal voices in the midst of other learned Nigerians in the Red Chambers with some old enough to be his father. Unlike those days when representatives from the District would always remain mute in the Chamber without making meaningful input, Abatemi-Usman within a year in office succeeded in pushing several bills designed to impact positively on the lives of the masses, which have passed through different stages.
His approach to issues affecting his people and Nigeria at large was recently applauded by highly respected citizens of the country from Kogi Central in the likes of General Emmanuel Abisoye, Dr. Tom Adaba, pioneer Director-General (DG) of National Broadcasting Commission and Mr. Jimoh Garba, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of JJ Digger Global Services Ltd, a Port Harcourt-based firm. The trio in their separate remarks noted that Abatemi-Usman has displayed high sense of wisdom, intelligence and respect for the people in the discharge of his duties as the Senator representing Kogi Central.
While lauding his prominent role in the search for lasting peace in Ebiraland, especially after the security challenges posed by the recent gruesome killings of over 20 innocent citizens at the Deeper Life Church including two soldiers within the District, they extolled the Senator’s leadership style, as he attempts to carry his people along in every step he takes concerning their problems. This of course, is in line with the philosophy of Mary D. Poole, a widely respected author and healthcare expert in Mexico, who is of the view that "Leadership should be more participative than directive, more enabling than performing".
Written By Michael Jegede