By John Mbaya
His name is Ibrahim AbubakarLajada. He is young, intelligent, rich, handsome, humble but ambitious. What does he want? He wants to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2019. And he is working very hard to actualize this dream. He is rising up to the challenges despite the criticisms and insinuations from low end quarters. Lajada is not seeking to be famous or seeking political office to deep his hands in the national coffers. God has already blessed him and he is living well in Saint Louis Missouri, United States of America with his beautiful wife and children and he is running his business empire.
But it is because of his love for his country, a nation that has become a laughing stock among the comity of nations, owing largely to economic mismanagement. Nigeria is a nation of paradoxes. Nigeria is a nation with human and natural resources that should be competing at the same level with developed nations yet crying for hand out from those nations.
That is what Ibrahim Lajada cannot stand, that is why he is peeved, that Nigeria, a nation of his birth with such enormous, unimaginable resources has its people wallowing in excruciating poverty and squalor because of bad leadership.
A young man of humble beginning who worked his way up, Ibrahim AbubakarLajada was born on August 4, 1983 in Biu, Borno state. He attended Barki Primary school, Biu, where he obtained his first school leaving certificate in 1996 and Lajada High school, where he obtained the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC), in 2002.
He then proceeded to the University of Maiduguri, where he obtained Diploma in Public Administration. His search for more knowledge took him to the United States of America, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in International Business, and a Master’s Degree in Political Economics, before setting up his businesses.
Starting out in life, he chose a career where he can best use his brain and the gift that God has given him. He decided to become an entrepreneur which for him is a career that enables a person add value and create jobs. Lajada said when he becomes the president of Nigeria in 2019 he “will remove a large number of controls and regulations, which in the past had stifled the spirit of innovation and the spirit of entrepreneurship, and restructure the scope of competition in Nigeria”.
His vision is “to have a new Nigeria free from poverty, ignorance and disease”. He dreams of a future Nigeria where we will “undertake basic structural changes. Out of that would emerge a new Nigeria, free from poverty, ignorance and disease.”
In pursuing this vision, AbubakarLajada has mapped out his three-point thematic agenda on which he will focus his strength when he is elected Nigeria’s president in 2019. They are:
- Improved Education System,
- Improved Economic Growth, and
- Fight Against Corruption.
He said: “This is what I will do when I am President. I will do these three major things. First, I would strengthen our educational system, second, I will improve economic growth and fight corruption and lastly, I would make sure that everyone has equal and fair treatment in our society.
Our education system in Nigeria is not one in which we should be very proud of. Yes, Nigeria does have excellent schools, colleges, and learning institutions, but our standards are not set as high as other countries. For example, our country does not fund our schools adequately.
Teachers teach with not enough books, no supplies, or books that are often over 30 years old.”
He continues, “How can we expect our children to be up to date with the world’s information if our teaching materials are not new? Often, teachers in our public schools are forced to buy textbooks and supplies for our children with their own personal money. Why do they do this? They do this because they believe in good education. Our country believes in good quality education, yet some of our teachers are not qualified and some of our professionals do not fare better.
The young man, who is actually the youngest presidential aspirant so far to have indicated his intention to contest the forthcoming presidential elections in 2019 has been bold and has showed keen determination to pursue his dream.
Lajada has already distributed posters and handbills all over the place, especially in Abuja, to announce his intention. He has also spoken with select journalists in Abuja while he told them about his presidential ambition.
In addition to all these, Lajada has also opened a facebook account where he now interacts with many people about his ambition and has so far answered a lot of questions concerning his aspirations. Many people have expressed surprise about his presidential ambition due to his young age. But it appears the young man is undaunted. He comes across as a person who is really determined to do what he has already planned.
Lajada has taken many people by surprise. A lot of Nigerians, especially the youths, have openly expressed their surprise about his determination. For instance, this writer was torn between different emotions of surprise and happiness as the man is young and also hails from the same area I come from. Many people have attributed what Lajada is doing to destiny.
But beyond destiny are issues related to personal preparation and his desire and determination to excel. When I met him some few weeks ago, I was confronted by a well experienced and kind hearted politician who is full of patriotism. The patriot in him reflected in his discussions with me and in the newspaper articles which have been published some few months ago about his intention and why he wants to rule the country.
Lajada, to the best of my knowledge, usually hinged all his arguments on superior ideas and logic on how to run the country. He has always stood up for what is right no matter who is involved. And that is why the youths like him and his ideas. The sophistication of his thinking and clear cut vision has made him to see what many Nigerians have not been able to see.
From all indications, the young man would like to prove to Nigerians that the youths could also excel if given the opportunity.
