There is a point in life where one is faced with a decision of whether to take a risk. This could be to leave a miserable job, moving to a different position that stretches you, starting your own business, or even taking on a new demanding assignment. Greatness requires risk. This is premised on Lolly Daskal’s quote, which says: “if we are to do great things, we must always be motivated to take bold risks. If you are feeling timid or uncertain, find the inspiration to do what you are meant to do.”
Since the creation of Kogi state, the legislative arm of the state has been a rope pulled at both ends by opposing factions of privileged politicians, sweetly called “Honourables.” In essence, the State House of Assembly prior now, could best be described as a “Birthed House of Commotion.” Umpteenth times, leadership tussle, impeachment sagas and discord stories were the expected whenever a Kogite grabs a copy of the national dailies.
One who is not oblivious of the change in story today will agree to the obvious fact that the peace which has finally been watermarked in the state assembly took the decision of one who dared to be different, a lover of peace, and a game changer. But, before the peace, a step backward.
A step backward reveals how the generational traits which had been rooted in the assembly refused to be weeded out, up to the 6th Assembly. Indeed, there was another leadership tussle, impeachment conundrum and the effectual emergence of another leader. If crisis would have had the prior knowledge of this particular leader, it would have struggled not to allow him seat on the top.
According to Sheryl Sandberg, “if you are offered a seat on a rocket ship, do not ask what seat! Just get on.” Rt Hon Umar Ahmed Imam got on, and he dared to be different. Under his oversight were motions of great and direct impacts to all and sundry; swift interventions into embattled sectors of the state; and smooth relationship with other arms of the government which spurred marvelous progress within the periods he has gripped the mallet.
On the 3rd of June 2016 was the first anniversary session of the 6th Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon Umar Ahmed Imam. A day where the assembly complex which is as old as the state, on its behalf, witnessed a Speaker’s motion directly to the Governor of the state. From the motion, Kogites in attendance discovered that Honourable colleagues were sitting in a dishonoured complex.
Imam revealed that after the inauguration of the 6th Assembly, he saw an appalling assembly enveloped in bushes and cassava farms; an Assembly that has no offices for its Honourable Members, Management Staff and other cadre of personnel; the only Assembly in Nigeria without Committee Rooms; and the Assembly worrisomely open to risk and security breaches. Only an exclusively innovatory and ever conscious legislator would note this, especially in a century where allowances form the major concern of most legislators.
With his calm and soft mono voice, Imam touched the deepest part of the heart of the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and right inside the Hallowed Chamber; the Governor was left with no choice than to issue a directive to the appropriate quarters. The success story is still on, along Crusher road.
Oprah Winfrey once said that, “unless you choose to do great things with it, it makes no difference how much you are rewarded, or how much power you have.” Many had sat on the Speaker’s seat from the time the complex was being turned to a farm house to the point it fully became a cassava farm, motions were sponsored to supposedly affect the lives of the ordinary citizens, yet, none to affect the condition of the Honourable Colleagues. But IMAM DARED TO BE DIFFERENT.
Returning from the flashback, now to the reality is a wholly born-again and united Kogi State House of Assembly, whose second legislative year will begin on the 19th July, 2016 inside the Hallowed Chamber of the beautiful bride, the complex.
Already wondering that if within a year, 161 awesome Resolutions could emerge from a dilapidated and appalling complex, the Executive arm should be prepared to work harder in the areas of implementation, especially now that the Honourable Colleagues will have their offices right in the complex comfortably.
– Alex Adeiza, a public commentator writes from Okene, Kogi State.
