An encounter with Lamido changed my life – Magaji

ABDULRAHMAN A. ABDULRAUF writes on his encounter with Magaji, a grinding machine operator in a suburb of  Jigawa state, who almost ran mad over job loss and how he got a bailout

Located by the roadside which of course gives the small settlement the benefits of having a feel of civilisation and modernity, the people of Nasarawa, a quiet community in Kiyawa local government of  Jigawa state have suddenly become the toast of  the state chief executive, Sule Lamido. Why, one may want to ask? Like in most parts of the state, the people of this sleepy settlement hold the governor in high esteem, because according to them, he has truly demonstrated his words by deeds by bringing out and restoring the dignity and pride in every Jigawa indigene.  For the governor, in every indigene of the state, there is resourcefulness, there is industry, and above all there is what he calls the milk of kindness to fellow beings.

The pathetic but inspiring story of Magaji, is one that touches the heart as it shows concern from a purposeful and responsible leadership.  For Magaji, who describes Lamido as his major benefactor, life was before now cruel to him. This, according to a story, followed some injustice he suffered as a grinding machine operator in the hands of his employer a few years back.  The long and short of it all is that he was sacked, a development that hit him like a thunderbolt and psychologically threw him off his mental balance. Unable to stand the shock, the bulky grinding machine operator suddenly became a nuisance on the street of  Dutse, the state capital roaming endlessly and looking unkempt with a big bowl to match begging for food.

Though his state of mind was so disgusting and unpleasant to many, but not any could really come up to give him succour until his story was told to his governor who came to the rescue.  A visit to Nasarawa , Magaji’s place of birth, will simply reveal a hero that he has become among his people following Lamido’s intervention.
When this reporter in company of some others recently  stopped over at the community, they were confronted with a huge and  tall frame of a  cheerful and highly admirable personality who has suddenly become a proud owner of a grinding machine as well as a mortorcycle , courtesy of  Governor Lamido.

As the reporters arrived, the community suddenly gathered and began mouthing their appreciation. A middle-aged man who simply gave his name as Muhammadu, was visibly grateful to the governor to the turnaround he has made in the life of Magaji.
According to Muhammadu, “leadership is all about caring for the followership. This singular action of the governor on Magaji has greatly showed that this state called Jigawa and indeed the entire country  Nigeria, has a great future. With Allah on our side, we shall get there. But there has to be justice which is what our leader Lamido has rightly done.”

And like Oliver Twist, the young community leader still asked for more as he pleaded with the state government to help them with a primary school of their own, instead of their children going to the next village for education.
Speaking to our reporter,  Magaji who beamed with smiles all through the encounter, was full of praises to Lamido for his gesture. According to the father of one, the governor has brought about a lot of changes in my life.
Though visibly uncomposed, probably as a result of his past, the machine operator said:”The governor is my friend, I see him from time to time. he just drove past here now, just him alone with one big motorbike in front of him.  Each time I see his car, I know it because it is only him that uses that car. I greeted him and he responded.”
“In all honesty, the governor has really done a lot in my life and I will eternally remain grateful to him. Today, I make about one thousand naira every day from this business and also a proud owner of this big motorcycle. I pray Allah to always bless  the governor and his entire family. Truly, he is the leader of the talakawas(the poor),” he added.
But it is interesting to know that this new status of  Magaji has ironically conferred on him the spokesperson of the community as he assured that “we will always tell him our needs because he listens to us .”
Speaking on his relationship with Magaji, Governor Lamido  said,  for some people , you are a cult figure, saying “they see in you whom you are and not what you are. I just notice this young man is one of such persons, no matter what anybody says about you, they will be appreciating you because of what you represent and mean to them.”

On the gesture and change in fortune of the grinding machine operator, he said Magaji’s condition, should not make him any less qualified to get his dues and rights from government.
“He is an indigene of this state and he has some rights like I do or any other person at that. So, what we did was just to restore in him the dignity in a Jigawa person, the pride, the humanity and above all, the kindness. We have not done anything extraordinary in Magaji’s life,” the governor humbly submitted.
Without doubt, the exemplary and responsive leadership shown by the governor has in no small measure helped in restoring sanity not only in Magaji , but indeed the entire state. Certainly, this is real democracy at work.