The veneer of wealth, the simplicity of his life and the sanctity of political power gives Hon Hassan Mammam Barguma, the former majority leader, Adamawa State House of Assembly two lives. First is his public and professional life as the golden-boy tycoon of the city of Abuja, and a quiet gentleman Legislator; the second is his private life which has lost its privacy to the glare of publicity. Both lives he has tried to limit to certain circles, but like the proverbial golden fish there is no such place for him to hide.
Things that concern him abound in the grapevine. The newspapers have not spared him either and so is the general gossip of critics and admirers in his state. In a manner of speaking, the reputation of the man popularly referred to as Hassan Barguma, both as facts or fictions, has preceded him. Of interest here is his foray into politics which marks a turning point in his life. It was, indeed, the beginning of his exposure to the world outside the patch of his business and society.
His decision in 2015 to join the House of Assembly race in Hong Constituency under the platform of the APC was greeted with skepticism and sentiments. Many feared that his geniality and refinement are incongruous with the rough, ruthless and intriguing turf of politics. Not to mention also that he was up in contest against veteran politicians for the party’s ticket.
Nobody gave him any chance. To add to this concern is the fact that his Constituency is home to the most confrontational and Machiavellian politics in Adamawa State.
In the run up to the elections, Hassan Barguma proved through his hitherto latent mettle that such concerns as referred to in the preceding passages were unnecessary. He came on the scene exuding wisdom, energy, persistence and compassion. The people found him so endearing and therefore gravitated towards his candidature. As a matter of fact, he showed us all that a lot can be achieved with pragmatism and personal dynamism.
He is, without doubt, a resolute man who has come to contest with will and determination. He did win a deserving victory at the elections.
I have now said enough to set the background to this discourse. No, not really enough but I shall not go on. If I were to pay proper and due respect to this man of remarkable humility, I should devote not a few paragraphs but several volumes. You cannot write about a man of such convivial disposition without passion or submitting to sentimental considerations.
Be that as it may, in the State House of Assembly, Hassan exceeded expectations. He was elected chief whip from 2015 to 2017 and later became the majority leader for the remaining period of his term. He was able to displayed remarkable dedication to the service of his people and as a result, many have benefitted from his personal goodness of character. He never misses plenary and votes on the floor of the House.
A man given to few words, he has achieved much for his people behind the scenes. Unprecedented record of constituency projects, steady Representative-Constituent interface and direct involvement in community affairs are hallmarks of his representation. For example, He constructed the cemetery road and fenced the two cemetery in Hong, he built blocks of classrooms and office at Shangui primary school, Bulinyi primary school, Mbol day secondary school, Ngalbi primary school, Dakisir primary school, Islamiya pella primary school, Fadama Reke primary school and Kwabaktina primary school. He also constructed 35 hand borehole, 1 solar reticulated water supply in Gudumya.
He was able to facilitate the construction of Fadama Reke to Bangshika road. And also the feeder road to Gudumya. The construction of the drainage in Shangui and Hong ward was done by him. He was consistent in giving out scholarships for two years to over 20 students with 3.5 GPA in tertiary institution. He bought buses for Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim Council. He distributed 10 cars to youths across his constituency and constructed the cemetery road and fenced the 2 cemeteries for Muslims and Christians.
He was also the first to facilitate salary structure adjustment for the Adamawa state house of Assembly. Maternity clinic was built and equipped in Hausawa A & B Hong ward by him. He make sure women and youths were trained in various skills. He was the very first to organize a town hall meeting in Hong constituency where he can share with their inner most feelings and aspirations, and several others to alleviate the suffering of the people of his constituency.
He also authored and co authored several bills and motions notably among them is the first bill to be passed in the sixth Assembly. Bill to established Agency for the construction and rehabilitation of local government areas destroyed by Boko Haram (the present government created a ministry under this law) Bill for board of internal revenue and accountant general office and several other to numerous to mention in this piece.
Equally, to deal with the high incidence of unemployment in his constituency, he also leveraged his legislative influence and political contacts to provide employments for many a job-seeker from his Constituency. He also engages in personal philanthropy to serve the purpose of the needy and those who ask.
A dependable man who is true to his ideals and beliefs, he has always shown intransigent, uncompromising tenacity in upholding his convictions and principles on a number of topical issues in the House. With honour and no anger, Hon Hassan Mammam Barguma is a good listener; always with a smile for everyone and has a way with people.
It is much too soon to watch for signs of a demand for ‘higher things’ but Hon. Hassan Barguma has an ambition to achieve democratic dividends for his constituency. Satisfied with doing good while leaving others to talk of him as they will, Hassan is a politician with a superior cause even after leaving office he supported his constituency with the construction of a maternity and block of classrooms.
The youth of his community are not left out of his kind gesture towards them. It is not the goat that cries the loudest that is necessarily the hungriest. Truly, his period in the House was with a reckonable beep.
– Musa Wada
Media Aide
