In all facets of life, one can find exceptional individuals who have distinguished themselves from the ordinary and have strived to pursue success and greatness wherever they find themselves.
In today’s seemingly ruptured society, where people are living in despondency and despair, one of the hardest things to get are people who have longstanding experience in their field of human endeavours to submit themselves in service to their communities; it’s like one leaving his comfort zone to a vulnerable social order.
This could be the highest point of sacrifice anyone can render to his people whom he’s very passionate about.
A bona fide son of Gombe state, Muhammed Jibrin (Dan Barde), is a renowned businessman who cut his teeth in the complex Nigerian banking sector and rose to be Managing Director of the Sun Trust Bank.
He certainly was not keen about joining politics. Being a successful man with higher responsibility and working in the most cosmopolitan environment, he may decide not to have left that corridor to the most vulnerable and murky scene.
Of course, politics is one of the stormiest and turbid adventures but one beautiful thing about the political enterprise is that, it gives people political power by putting their possible best to do more in the development of their states.
Therefore, the reason behind Barde’s decision to join politics and contest the gubernatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election isn’t far-fetched. It was borne out of passion and commitment to surrender himself to his people, to use his skills and knowledge from his vast experience in moving the state forward.
Elections have been conducted and leaders have emerged at different levels, implying that, politics is over until another season. But to some, including my humble self, politics is just like a football where there are post-season and pre-season. Just as footballers play at both seasons, politicians are equally playing politics on a lighter scale with featherweight approach after election.
This is within democratic principles and ethos, making the system work effectively for the benefit of the larger society.
Apparently, if one isn’t doing enough as expected by the electorate after winning elections, he must bear in mind that, the better ones are brewing to come and take over. And even at that, one can never be a governor for life; a time will come when he will not be eligible to re-contest election and to avoid clumsy people from occupying the position of power, there must be a need to x-ray the credentials and track records of the prospective contenders.
Regrettably, we cannot rewind or undo what has transpired before the 2019 general elections to have people like Dan Barde. However, it isn’t an aberration to call on him to get ready in earnest to forestall recurrence in the 2023 general election. Those who are bomb-sighting where the state is heading to as I usually do, should know what am talking about.
So, people like Muhammad Jibrin must be encouraged not to deter from their genuine course of moving Gombe to enviable heights. In fact, he who knows the peculiar needs of the people will need a desired leader, who has the sense of policy direction akin to liberation, as against those that only took over to shoot in the dark.
Sneaking to look into the intimidating credentials of Dan Barde, one will draw a drawstring on whether the APC’s 2019 delegates chose with their conscience or meanness.
Here’s a man who holds an M.Sc in Risk Management from the NYU Leonard N. Stern Business School, New York University; an MBA from the Imperial College, London; a Diploma in General Management from Harvard University; and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Abuja.
Taking a sharp glimpse of his versatile and unmatchable experience in the banking and management sector, one can deduce that, we cannot afford to miss another opportunity of having him as our next governor.
Jibrin was at Union Bank of Nigeria and Citigroup N.A and Barclays Bank in four countries across Africa and Europe. Prior to joining SunTrust, he was an Executive Director on the Board of Aso Savings and Loans Plc., and a former Group Head responsible for growing Bond Bank’s (now Skye Bank Plc.) business in Abuja and the Northern region. He served on various boards, and was at a time, the National Deputy President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria; a Director of Premium Pensions Limited; Director, Federal Housing Authority Technical Board and a Member of the Presidential Committee on Affordable Housing. He was also, Chairman, Board of Directors of the Gombe Jewel Microfinance Bank Limited.
What a great and accomplished man!
This was someone who came with a blueprint and experience to move the state forward in all the sectors of the economy – from education, health, infrastructure to agriculture and so forth.
I envy his vision which reads, “My vision is to unify everyone in the state under a common purpose. My team and I would transform the various elements of the system, whether it is infrastructure, environment, power, economy or others. It is also our target to create millions of jobs for our youths and women.”
He was quoted as saying, “I have reached the pinnacle of my career as a banker, and it is time I give back to the society, and the only way I can do that is to take the position of leadership. I have a clear vision of empowering the youths, women and impact the lives of our people positively. I want to demonstrate that governance can be done with a high corporate responsibility”.
After he lost at the primary elections and supported his party at the state level, he was immediately appointed as the Deputy Director, Field Operations of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
In spite of the role he played, while others are shuttling the corridors of power lobbying for appointment, Barde has been moving the world, making great things.
This is, indeed, a rare gem!
I never met him personally, but let me echo it; someone close to him should tell him that we need him in no distant time. It’s beyond politics or party, it’s about the future of Gombe state.
Usman Gombe writes from Gombe
