Literature
Mr. Labaran Maku?s appointment as the Minister of State for Information and Communication could be seen as a result of his eloquent past achievements and a sign of better days ahead for him and the Nigerian youth in general. For, he is an embodiment of what the Nigerian youth should be, if the country is to move forward rather than collapse back on the same spot each time it takes a leap.
At the age of 48, he has already achieved so much politically, in spite of the recycling syndrome that favours only the aged and denies the vibrant youths the opportunity to contribute to the development of their fatherland. Indeed, in a country where youths are considered useful only as thugs for politicians who have lost their political grip and are desperately searching for a violent means of re-asserting their relevance, he is able to hold his own. He is able to say, in a most practical manner, ?I can do it!?
And he did it. He did it in the University of Jos way back in 1980s. As a student union leader, he was not only vocal and forthright, he was a living example of a true leader; humble but firm, honest and visionary.
He also did it as a reporter in The Nigeria Standard Newspapers, in 1989. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Champion Newspapers, where he served as a correspondent and later a group political editor and member of the Editorial Board of Champion Newspapers. He came to the scene when the maxim that rates the pen mightier than the sword was fast losing its meaning in the Nigerian media practice. He insisted journalism must be practised to the tune of professional ethics; saying it the way it is, not the way some faceless money-bags want it said. And in the process of not toeing the line, he trampled on many toes, especially in the heat of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. But he never gave a damn.
He did it again when between 1994 and 1997, he teamed up with some colleagues and ran the defunct Equity Press Limited (publishers of Meridian magazine). As the deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine, he used his mighty pen to advocate ways and means by which the country could be elevated from its perpetual state of animal farm to a true egalitarian society.
Even after leaving the organisation, and during a stint at USAID as Programme Manager, he remained a constant commentator on public affairs until the return of democratic rule in 1999 when he was appointed Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs by the former governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu. As one of the major players in the revival of the politically influential Eggon Cultural and Development Association of which he became the national president, the job was more like a challenge thrown at him. It was as if to say, ?You talk so much, let?s see if you can work so much!?
And he rose to the occasion. For the four years he occupied the seat, he was able to prove that being a government spokesman does not necessarily mean being a blind propagandist. He did it in such a way that both the government and the people benefitted from the power of information and communication. This resulted in his becoming deputy governor of the state from 2003 to 2007.
This period particularly afforded him the opportunity to display the leadership qualities that have marked him out as a viable political asset to the state and the entire nation. His utterances and actions then were quite monumental. In fact, his speeches and policy statements on various Nigerian problems were interesting archive materials.
Even as a deputy governor, the comrade did not spare the Nigerian leadership in his criticisms. For instance, he once observed at a public function that Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, but lacks credible and quality leadership to harness the resources for the general benefit of its citizens.
In another occasion, he lambasted politicians who used religion as a means to achieve their selfish ends. He stressed that real politicians would not bring religion into politics, but use their offices in the best interest of all, regardless of religious affiliation; and warned Nigerians to be wary of self-seeking individuals who paraded themselves as politicians.
Maku did not only dazzle the public with his radical comments, he lived by them. He demonstrated on several occasions that his was leadership by example. One of the glaring instances was when he stopped his convoy to attend to two school girls who were knocked down by a car along Jos road. He spent some undisclosed amount of money for their treatment and ensured that they were rushed to hospital.
Another instance was when this writer received a call from an unknown caller, who turned out to be the deputy governor he had never met! ?It is Labaran Maku calling,? he had said. ?I?ve just read your column, keep up the good work.?
You can imagine the cordial feelings such simple gestures could elicit. And by extension, one could imagine the spirit of camaraderie that would exist between the leaders and the led, as well as the resultant impact on our collective sense of patriotism, if every Nigerian leader could at least once in a while exhibit such a rare show of compassion and humility.
Maku is indeed a pride and inspiration to the youth, a sign of hope. His success is a veritable testimony to the I-can-do-it spirit of the average Nigerian youth. The ministerial appointment is, therefore, just the beginning.
(c)Written by SUMAILA UMAISHA and published in the New Nigerian
- Now That Change Has Come To Nasarawa State...
IT is no longer news that change has come to Nasarawa State. The only question now is how to justify the change as a positive one. This is the question currently making the rounds within and outside Nasarawa State as the governor-elect, Alhaji Umaru...
- Significance Of Maku?s Visit To Nan
The recent visit by the Honourable Minister of State for Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, is significant in many respects. It underscored the importance of the establishment as the only agency in...
- Praxis Brings Ibb, Obj, Buhari Together
Public presentation of the book Praxis of Political Concepts and Clichés in Nigeria?s Fourth Republic (Essays in Honour of Dr Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu, last Thursday in Abuja turned out to be a unifying platform for three former heads of state hitherto...
- Is This The Goodluck We Need?
After the headline-grabbing moves that culminated in empowering Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the dust is now settling. And as it settles, Nigerians are silently watching to see if...
- Gimba's Works In Perspective (report)
Some writers never get the recognition they deserve during their life times, they are discovered and celebrated only after they are dead and gone, while others bask in the glory of their literary exploits from the very beginning of their writing career....
Literature
Maku as a sign of hope
Mr. Labaran Maku?s appointment as the Minister of State for Information and Communication could be seen as a result of his eloquent past achievements and a sign of better days ahead for him and the Nigerian youth in general. For, he is an embodiment of what the Nigerian youth should be, if the country is to move forward rather than collapse back on the same spot each time it takes a leap.
At the age of 48, he has already achieved so much politically, in spite of the recycling syndrome that favours only the aged and denies the vibrant youths the opportunity to contribute to the development of their fatherland. Indeed, in a country where youths are considered useful only as thugs for politicians who have lost their political grip and are desperately searching for a violent means of re-asserting their relevance, he is able to hold his own. He is able to say, in a most practical manner, ?I can do it!?
And he did it. He did it in the University of Jos way back in 1980s. As a student union leader, he was not only vocal and forthright, he was a living example of a true leader; humble but firm, honest and visionary.
He also did it as a reporter in The Nigeria Standard Newspapers, in 1989. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Champion Newspapers, where he served as a correspondent and later a group political editor and member of the Editorial Board of Champion Newspapers. He came to the scene when the maxim that rates the pen mightier than the sword was fast losing its meaning in the Nigerian media practice. He insisted journalism must be practised to the tune of professional ethics; saying it the way it is, not the way some faceless money-bags want it said. And in the process of not toeing the line, he trampled on many toes, especially in the heat of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. But he never gave a damn.
He did it again when between 1994 and 1997, he teamed up with some colleagues and ran the defunct Equity Press Limited (publishers of Meridian magazine). As the deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine, he used his mighty pen to advocate ways and means by which the country could be elevated from its perpetual state of animal farm to a true egalitarian society.
Even after leaving the organisation, and during a stint at USAID as Programme Manager, he remained a constant commentator on public affairs until the return of democratic rule in 1999 when he was appointed Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs by the former governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu. As one of the major players in the revival of the politically influential Eggon Cultural and Development Association of which he became the national president, the job was more like a challenge thrown at him. It was as if to say, ?You talk so much, let?s see if you can work so much!?
And he rose to the occasion. For the four years he occupied the seat, he was able to prove that being a government spokesman does not necessarily mean being a blind propagandist. He did it in such a way that both the government and the people benefitted from the power of information and communication. This resulted in his becoming deputy governor of the state from 2003 to 2007.
This period particularly afforded him the opportunity to display the leadership qualities that have marked him out as a viable political asset to the state and the entire nation. His utterances and actions then were quite monumental. In fact, his speeches and policy statements on various Nigerian problems were interesting archive materials.
Even as a deputy governor, the comrade did not spare the Nigerian leadership in his criticisms. For instance, he once observed at a public function that Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, but lacks credible and quality leadership to harness the resources for the general benefit of its citizens.
In another occasion, he lambasted politicians who used religion as a means to achieve their selfish ends. He stressed that real politicians would not bring religion into politics, but use their offices in the best interest of all, regardless of religious affiliation; and warned Nigerians to be wary of self-seeking individuals who paraded themselves as politicians.
Maku did not only dazzle the public with his radical comments, he lived by them. He demonstrated on several occasions that his was leadership by example. One of the glaring instances was when he stopped his convoy to attend to two school girls who were knocked down by a car along Jos road. He spent some undisclosed amount of money for their treatment and ensured that they were rushed to hospital.
Another instance was when this writer received a call from an unknown caller, who turned out to be the deputy governor he had never met! ?It is Labaran Maku calling,? he had said. ?I?ve just read your column, keep up the good work.?
You can imagine the cordial feelings such simple gestures could elicit. And by extension, one could imagine the spirit of camaraderie that would exist between the leaders and the led, as well as the resultant impact on our collective sense of patriotism, if every Nigerian leader could at least once in a while exhibit such a rare show of compassion and humility.
Maku is indeed a pride and inspiration to the youth, a sign of hope. His success is a veritable testimony to the I-can-do-it spirit of the average Nigerian youth. The ministerial appointment is, therefore, just the beginning.
(c)Written by SUMAILA UMAISHA and published in the New Nigerian
- Now That Change Has Come To Nasarawa State...
IT is no longer news that change has come to Nasarawa State. The only question now is how to justify the change as a positive one. This is the question currently making the rounds within and outside Nasarawa State as the governor-elect, Alhaji Umaru...
- Significance Of Maku?s Visit To Nan
The recent visit by the Honourable Minister of State for Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, is significant in many respects. It underscored the importance of the establishment as the only agency in...
- Praxis Brings Ibb, Obj, Buhari Together
Public presentation of the book Praxis of Political Concepts and Clichés in Nigeria?s Fourth Republic (Essays in Honour of Dr Mu?azu Babangida Aliyu, last Thursday in Abuja turned out to be a unifying platform for three former heads of state hitherto...
- Is This The Goodluck We Need?
After the headline-grabbing moves that culminated in empowering Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the dust is now settling. And as it settles, Nigerians are silently watching to see if...
- Gimba's Works In Perspective (report)
Some writers never get the recognition they deserve during their life times, they are discovered and celebrated only after they are dead and gone, while others bask in the glory of their literary exploits from the very beginning of their writing career....