“Happy Birthday and toast to more prosperous years in good health and divine guidance…”
As a serving Youth Corp Member with a familiar Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) and a very understanding work place during my mandatory National Youth Service Corps, I had enough time travelling around with the hope that I’ll run into luck of a pensionable job before the completion of my NYSC, and Abuja was my most traveled city. However, I soon discovered that these travels had not yielded anything save that it begins to give no meaning to my monthly 19,800 allowance from the Federal Government.
Unfortunately, I was almost at the completion of this program but no clear cut direction yet. Let’s digress, I’ll steer away from dwelling on that past and focus on a story that will forever linger in my heart. This story is an encounter with His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed Yakubu, Ejeh Ankpa IV and Chairman of the Ankpa Traditional Council.
Amidst the tension of almost completing my NYSC, I began reaching out to people I thought could help me, I got a media job to be paid fifty thousand monthly – despite the fact that I bargained not to be paid anything but be given an accomodation and a pensionable job as soon as possible, I succumbed seeing that the employer is full of influence and supposedly capable of quenching my thirst.
After a few days into the job, I was excited to see the opportunities that are meant to abound. Reporting classified engagements became an eye-opening experience. In just one month, I was able to display my personality and talent that left a lasting impression. I tried to be disciplined, tireless, happy, and love the craft of writing. I made sure every word of news that I typed is characterised with symbolic passion and dedication to duty.
Alas, all these were my ticket to bondage. Following my impressive performances in critical times like COVID 19 and EndSARS, it soon began to seem I won’t have a cheap replacement with effective service delivery under any condition as myself and so; the bargain of getting me a pensionable work soon began to fade off until I got another offer to work as a Media Aide in the National Assembly.
I reluctantly accepted but my quest didn’t stop there. With what some Nigerians will refer to as “use this one hold body first” — I began to reach out even further and so, I sent a message to His Royal Highness Alhaji Sadiq Ahmed on the subject matter. He inquired about my reason and after our conversation, his adoring class, proximity to National affluence and magnetic appeal to power brokers didn’t stop him from simply saying “take that Halims offer, you must start from somewhere.”
While it may seem like this story is merely about a young man looking for work, there’s a depth to this quest that goes beyond the job seeking. Behind the scenes lies a narrative of motivation, critical support, apt resilience, positivity, and unwavering belief to a vision that is yet to be actualised. In a world where everything seems so close, yet so far away. Opportunities abound and obstacles seem insurmountable, wishes are enormous and choices are limited. To embrace a dream and radiate infectious energy towards it, one needs a buoyant supporter to mould both character and inner strength. For me, that supporter is HRH Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed Yakubu.
The journey to maintain such a relationship comes with its costs. Yes, Agagwu makes his supports appear effortless but I cannot underestimate the sacrifice of upholding such boundless energy. Financial assistance is not cheap, the removal of fuel subsidy, sudden rise in price of dollar to naira exchange as well as the attendant effect on economy alone should tell you that simple truth.
For Agaaagwu, I wonder how he gets the mental fortitude, spiritual motivation and physical fitness required to sustain such benevolence. He has mastered the art of balancing generosity with his life, ensuring he’s always in the best form to entertain, support and inspire his mentees. If he had not become a King along the line, I’d have said he is just acting nice but Kingship is for a lifetime and no sane person fakes a venture that will last for his or her entire life span.
The first class King and loving family man with very wonderful children has continued to navigate the intricate balance between fatherhood and royalty. Despite the demands of his traditional stool, he remains committed to being a present and supportive parent, never lifeless in embracing and instilling in his family the same values of resilience and positivity that have guided him throughout his journey.
His life serves as a reminder that success doesn’t solely rely on riches or luck. It’s a combination of discipline, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to self-improvement. Therefore, I say cheers to a man who has demonstrated what it means to light others in a world that is filled with artificial darkness. Your birthday is a reminder of the positivity and boundless potential that God sent into the world on this day to give hope, raise souls and make an impactful mark to everyone around you.
– Muhammed Nasiru writes from Abuja and can be reached on his email naadejohs@gmail.com or his twitter(X) handle – @amnasiru
