Honourable Amana Egbunu Yusuf, a businessman and political strategist, believes that the Accord Party has the answer to Nigeria’s political problem. He spoke with CHAMBA SIMEH
We know you are being acknowledged as a philanthropist. What is the aim of your philanthropy?
Care and empathy. I am a self-made man and I know how difficulty has shattered the dreams and aspirations of so many people. It has been and shall always be a fulfillment of my long held dream to make the world a better place and give back some part of my wealth to the same society that gave me so much.
In this period of time, the world is more familiar with pain than compassion. I choose to be compassionate for the sake of humanity. My philanthropy is part of me and not for any political and primordial consideration. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously.
Can we know the areas of intervention of your philanthropy?
We intervene in areas of immediate needs as they arise. But one key area that is close to my heart is education. I have always acknowledged that education is life and it makes permanent impact in the life of an individual. You need to give him good and qualitative education.
I also intervene in the areas of immediate needs of the community like provision of water, health and some cash to assist in the development of small scale businesses to eliminate poverty. Recently, I bought many motorcycles and distribute them to my constituents.
Some people accuse most Nigerian philanthropists of advertising philanthropy, what is your view on this?
I do not know what people refer to as advertised philanthropy. I do my philanthropy for the sake of God and humanity. We, as humans, are all involved in some kind of philanthropy some time in our life. It is and should always be part of our existence as humans.
This assertion is relative. I believe when we encourage people to be involved in philanthropy we are directly helping the society to be a better place. I do not advertised philanthropy but I do it as a responsibility.
What do you think is the problem of the Igala nation?
Thank you for acknowledging that the Igala race is a nation. You would agree with me that no nation or people can grow to its optimum level of expectation if its citizens do not have the feelings of national identity that gives a nation its peculiar character and thus differentiate it from other nations and tribe.
In other words, the cohesion and coherence of a people are underpinned by the extent and level of its character defined by the unity of the people, the stability of its polity, the perception of the viability and needs of the traditional leadership by its citizenry and by its social harmony. The lack of these qualities today is the problem with the Igala nation.
In the past the Igala nation was known for its peace and harmony. What is happening today?
The past years have been replete with the social harmony of the Igala people but today it is replete with restlessness among the people. Some of the phenomenon includes selfishness, greed and even deceit and kidnapping.
But what is surprising is that such phenomena are rearing their ugly heads at this time in our history when our people are in need of development. Yet, our political elites rather than close ranks for the sake of the development of the Igala nation continue to fan the embers of hatred, animosity and clannishness among our people for selfish political and financial ends.
To them, it must be self first and the Igala nation last. Such attitude, you must agree with me, is not typical of a people that have created strong identity among its people and within its polity. Furthermore, successful nations are those which adequately address the socio-economic needs of its people including security and political participation.
What is the way forward for the Igala nation?
The Igala people and nation need to devise appropriate means of ensuring that intra-traditional ethics of the Igala people are brought back to life. Such value that holds the people as a peculiar people such as godliness and respect for elders and the traditional values of the people should be made continuous fact of the daily life of its people. And such values should be made the sustainable and enduring Igala nation phenomenon. And in all this mix, leadership is perhaps the most critical factor.
What is the situation politically and economically in Kogi state?
Our dear freedom fighters and people who fought for the creation of Kogi state are poltergeists now. Those that are dead are turning in their graves over the rate of underdevelopment in kogi.
Today, kogi is not what they envisaged. The porous state of the kogi economy and the political environment is a shame. Our development: physically and economically have been arrested by the failure of leadership.
The hope we had during the early days of the formation of our dear state and what we envisioned and dreamed of have been shattered by bad leadership. The dreams we had about Kogi is, however, not misplaced because Kogi state is blessed with both human and material resources. I can tell you basically that for a state to develop it does not need only dream but a leadership that has a driving vitality to make that dream a reality.
Do you mean leadership is the bane of kogi developments?
For every truthful and discerning mind, kogi’s problem is that of leadership. Since the creation of kogi state by General Ibrahim Babanigda and the inception of the present civilian dispensation, Kogi state has had an unbroken civilian leadership. The PDP, ANPP which lay claim to being political parties for the good of the people have ruled the state to ruin.
The political class, which ruled the state at different times on these platforms, has frittered away the opportunities offered it to better the life and lot of kogites and also transformed the state.
Today, we have a young man in leadership position in the state. Until now, he was regarded as the political Messiah that will right the wrong of the past, and fix kogi state’s multifarious problems. But he has failed. The present leadership has made a mess of the APC, which is a coalition of some political parties that wrested political power from the PDP in the state.
The people of Kogi state were disenchanted with Gov Idris Wada’s tardiness, and visionless administration. The APC, which has Gen Muhammed Buhari as the president of the country, rode on the crest of incorruptibility and personal integrity to power. The people see the leadership of the state by the APC as a chance to key into the ‘change agenda’ slogan. But, sadly in the state the leadership has failed.
Are you of the opinion that Kogi state needs a new type of leadership?
It is very glaring for everybody to see. Every patriotic kogite must be praying that God give us a new type of leadership. Albert Einstein said insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
I think our people have now seen the disadvantage in taking this position. We do not have the luxury of time in kogi state. We are in a crisis situation and that crisis is the crisis of leadership.