- as a civil servant, sincerity paved way for me.
In 1953, I was working as an inspector of works in PWD, we were on routine maintenance along Jebba express way. After the close of work I drove my official project vehicle (a pick-404 van) to a nearby filling station to buy gas for the next day.
While at the filling station, a man drove in like several others to buy gas, he got out of his car, heavily dressed in hand woven Baba’n riga to open his fuel lid, on the way to entering his car while removing money to pay, some currencies fell out of his pocket unknown to him, I saw the money from where I stood, I walked towards him to let him know that his money fell off his pocket, he zoomed off before I got to him, I entered my pick up and raced after him, I flagged him down, he eventually stopped.
The Conversation
Me: Sir your money dropped at the gas station, you drove off before I could reach you
Ahmadu Bello: O! Thank you so very much, I appreciate. Would you mind having some of the money he said with a smile on his face.
Me: No sir, thank you.
Ahmadu Bello: I appreciate, thank you, I will be on my way now.
Me: Good bye sir.
As a senior inspector of works with PWD, I was well paid. In this era, honesty and transparency was still very much with us in tangible form.
We went our separate ways happy…
Fast forward to 1956… I won a my election to represent Kabba Division in the Northern House of Assembly in Kaduna. There, I met this styled man again.
After the introduction and induction, I walked up to him and introduced myself…
“Ahhhh! it’s so nice to connect with such a sincere and patriotic Nigerian again…,” Ahmadu Bello said. He went on to say, “With people like you, we are sure to build a transparent government, the North and Nigeria.”
From this point, the name Hon Samuel was almost always on the lips of Sir Ahmadu Bello whenever there is an opening for positions even though I occupy positions already. When there was an opening for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello hinted he would prefer Hon Samuel. On and on, that was how we grew together until the bloody coup of 1966.
Moral of the Story…
Life is About Sowing and Reaping. Don’t take what does not belong to you. Return any money that is not yours, the reward might not be immediate but you will eventually reap what you sow…
An excerpt form “The Life and Time of Chief S.A Ajayi” (soon to be published).
Today, 11th May is the 26th anniversary and remembrance of the late Legend, Chief S.A. Ajayi.
Credit: The S.A. Ajayi Foundation
saajayi94@gmail.com
