TheCable

BY TEJU AJAYI

In the course of life’s peregrination, one has been fortunate to meet highly placed Nigerians across the socio-political and economic divides. Every one of them has left an impression whether good or bad. None has, however, left me humbled and awed as did Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State. Some days ago, we boarded the same Aero flight from Abuja to Lagos. I saw him the moment I got aboard. He sat sedately in Business Class, deep in conversation with his wife. Except for a few people who recognised and exchanged hearty pleasantries with them, you would hardly believe that this was the Kebbi State First Couple. They had no airs or affectations of the powerful. All through the flight, I noticed that the Bagudus kept chatting and laughing, seemingly oblivious to the world around them.

It was when the plane eventually taxied to a stop at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, and we all alighted that the real surprise awaited me. I was hoping that waiting at the foot of the plane would be a retinue of protocol and security aides but the reverse was the case. Governor Bagudu would further shock me when he and his wife joined the Airport Shuttle alongside ‘lesser mortals’. All through the short trip to the arrival terminal, I kept glancing at the urbane and unobtrusive couple to see if this act was just a smokescreen and their mien would sooner betray their discomfort. Not at all; they looked relaxed as the shuttle soon burped to a stop. At that point, my mind was made up on making his acquaintance; my conviction buoyed by the fact that there were no overzealous security men around to shove off a hapless passenger about to extend mere courtesies to their boss.

As we approached the arrival lounge, and with madam slightly out of sight, I walked up to the governor and introduced myself. He beamed, then, extended a warm handshake which I grabbed enthusiastically. Having spent considerable time around some of Nigeria’s finest media professionals, I knew not to blow my chance. I knew also that my time was limited. So, I asked why he chose to fly commercial (and this should not be interpreted to mean that other governors do not fly commercial) when he could have simply chartered a flight and why he had no aides waiting for him. He smiled and said holding public office does not mean one should detach themselves from reality. Instructive!!!

I would later find out that Governor Bagudu was born into a wealthy home, holds two Master’s degrees in Economics and International Affairs, both from the University of Jos; and was a successful businessman in the United States before venturing into politics where he served as a Senator between 2011 and 2015. In spite of these accomplishments, he remains unassuming.

Even by the rating of Nigeria’s Northwest geopolitical zone, Kebbi is like the self-effacing but brilliant younger sibling. Governor Bagudu is not like his counterpart in Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, a very popular former minister with national name recognition; neither is he Sokoto’s Aminu Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives or Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano who has been in the news more than any other Northern governor in recent time. Still, those who are abreast of happenings across Nigeria must have heard a couple of good things about the man in Kebbi.

I can safely say that I got to know Governor Bagudu when Kebbi entered into a partnership with the former Governor of Lagos State to produce ‘LAKE Rice’. The two states made a success of the venture. Since then, I have inadvertently followed news about him and been impressed by all, so far. He shared with me some of the ideas that have separated Kebbi from other Northern states and which have placed him high on the list of Nigeria’s most ingenious and futuristic governors. Then, his ADC emerged from the blues. I looked at my wristwatch and we had barely spoken for about seven minutes, which in reality, seemed like seventy.

As we exchanged numbers, I thanked him for his time, the knowledge he freely shared with me and promised to keep in touch and he said likewise. I hope I have begun to fulfil my part of the bargain, Your Excellency.