***All hail the Leader at 59!!!
I must first of all say it is a great pleasure to know and celebrate a personality of Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s status.
I have ruminated over the days trying to pen a note in your honour as you mark 59, but words elude me. I’m not surprised; It’s instinctive that we find ourselves searching for the right words to depict certain individuals.
Today, we celebrate a man who has spent a huge part of his life serving the people, as a Special Assistant on Budget to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a two term Governor of Kwara state, Chairman of the Governors forum, and President of the Senate. Not many have had the honour, strength, sagacity and courage to occupy such substantial public positions and excel. But Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki did.
The astute trained medical doctor-turned public officer distinguished himself in all the offices held to the envy of the nation. You will always be respected for your decisiveness, patriotism, managerial artistry, political mien and doggedness.
Your knack for surviving all trials and tribulations because you chose to stand for the truth and for the people is unrivalled and should be studied by students of Politics and Sociology in our higher institutions of learning.
You are today popular within the emerging generations because you have proved to us, the qualities required to pursue the agenda of a Nigeria of our dream, one that has endeared you to the younger generation.
The appellation of ‘Leader’ as many call you isn’t just a title, but what you earned by virtue of who God created you to be, one that you have lived up to in the lives of many.
You are a leader par excellence, whose choice of actions has inspired others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.
Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki is not just an inspiration, but one who has raised many from grass to grace, created in them the belief that they can excel and has assisted them to attain that height.
Not many leaders of today possess the ability to identify resourceful individuals. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has not only discovered so many, but groomed and given them a chance to put their dexterity to use, for the development of Kwara state and Nigeria at large.
Your selflessness is immeasurable and has motivated several individuals to ‘worship’ God’s innate but rare gift in you – one that some in certain quarters have misconstrued for self adulation.
It’ll be an impossibility to tell the developmental story of Kwara today, without your footprint found in various sectors of the state. This speaks of your love for the people of Kwara. It’ll be noteworthy to mention that even when out of public office, you have shown more love and care towards the people. What a persona!
As we journey in life, certain individuals help mould us, chart a way for us and create in our inner mind, a picture of a desired future. This is what you have done and still doing in our lives.
I therefore use the occasion of your 59th birthday to appreciate you for being a father, leader, mentor and role model to us. We pray that God grant you long life and sound health to continue to serve humanity.
May I state without mincing words that serving as your Media Aide on Local Matters, is a privilege and an honour. We hope to collectively work towards the realization of your aspiration as a token of our appreciation for all you do and for the nation.
Many Happy Returns Your Excellency, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki CON, the immediate past Senate President and Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate.
Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir writes from Ilorin Kwara State. He is the Press Officer on Home Matters to Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
