Monday 20 February 2017

"It Doesn't Get Into My Head"- An Insight Into Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State's Lifestyle


His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello is the Executive Governor of Kogi State of Nigeria. He's an experienced Accountant; an alumni of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. A big time businessman, humanitarian and politician who saintly became a state governor. He's the youngest governor in Nigeria. Here he shares his thoughts and views in this interview.
It seems you are an exciting and relaxed person: I drop my official status sometimes; after all, the position is tenured, it doesn't get into my head.

Excellent: Yeah, I'm always conscious of that.

Glad to know that you are aware what life is all about: I prayed to God to give me affluence and promised God that I will never be carried away. I became rich and wealthy at 24, I prayed to Him to give me powers and positions to assist people and that I will never be carried away. I became a Governor at 40 divinely. Why should I act contrary? Now, I'm praying and working hard to keep my promises. I am confident, I will NEVER change from my person by His grace. Because I would want to rest peacefully when I return to Him. Thereafter, my people and those who know me will miss me forever.


Could you please tell me what you want people to know about you? I know that majority of the people who would be able to read in between the lines and sincere will know that I am selfless, unassuming and loving.

Is there any wrong perception you think people have about you; and how best to correct it? The perception that I am arrogant and difficult. The truth of it is that, once I am convinced that I'm doing the right thing and I believe in what I am doing and believe in someone, it's difficult to convince me otherwise. I will remain focused and undeterred. I am fearless. Simple.

Who or what inspires you? A courageous, focused, fearless, upright person inspires me. Hence, my ardent support for our President, President Muhammadu Buhari.


You are a successful young man; what's success to you and how do you manage it? Success is achieving what you set out to achieve and if otherwise, taking it to be a challenge and change your strategy and still never give up till success comes your way. Managing it is not to ever be carried away with successes, rather look forward to achieving more.


Good communication is very essential in Leadership; how well do you communicate with your citizens? To me, communication with the citizens is making my work and successes/achievements for the citizens speak for themselves and letting them affirm my leadership and changing the perception of those in doubt positively.

Is there any temporary problem facing your State at the moment; if any; how are you working towards getting things right? Oh Yes! Could you please explain the screening process too and is there any success with it? Explaining the screening exercise will take a little while. However, I will summarize thus: Civil Service is the engine room of any government. I inherited a Civil Service that is so inefficient and ineffective. If I must reach the desired destination successfully, the engine must be overhauled and serviced. Hence, the exercise. I am not unaware of the untold hardship it has meted on the innocent ones. However, the end shall justify the means. There will be a huge success in the end, it's visible already. Hopefully, we should conclude before the end of March. It's a long decay and we have to be painstaking to do an excellent job. It's a difficult surgical operation that's so painful, but very necessary. But after the storm, comes calm!


A lot of money has been spent on the process, will it well worth the efforts and make up for the money spent?  Not much is spent. It's just a figment of imagination of mischief makers. However, every dime is huge as we are faced with an economic recession. But the end, they say, will justify the means.

That's a good response. But some people have been circulating it that, a very huge and seems not realistic amount has been spent on the screening; is the figure right? A right-thinking person will deduce that it's not right. I will never join issue with them.

Today is the 17th of February 2017; what do you plan to achieve by 17th of February 2018? When we came on board, we prepared a document called New Direction Blue Print. This document is a compilation of the desires and aspirations of the people of the State. I plan to deliver on that by February 17th  2018. Hence, its reflection on our 2017 Budget.

There's an economic recession in Nigeria at the moment; what do you think is the cause and what's your suggestion to solve this problem? Mismanagement of the past, lack of economic planning, fake living (living above our means) etc. Reversal of this will go a long way in solving the problem.

Seems you are mummy's baby; how close is your mother to you? I'm the last born of the family and I am close to her. She's currently living with me and my family. I receive her blessings and prayers daily.



We can see that you respect your elders and leaders (traditional, religious and political). How Important is this to you?  It's so important. They have a lot of wisdom and experience. Though not all of them have what it takes to be a leader. Some lack character and integrity. I avoid such and relate with those with track records of such good qualities.


What is the first thing you do when you wake up and the last before you go to bed? I pray, meditate and plan my day in the morning, review my achievements and plan for the next day before bedtime, prayers as well.

Recently you were honoured by the Controller General of Police with a prestigious award on security. Congratulations! We are sure you have done so much, but more must be done in targeting the kidnappers and the armed robbers. Please what's the next step on this? Anyway, the award came as a surprise to me. It's just to spur me to do more. Next security steps are never discussed.


Right! It seems to me that you've got nothing to hide: However, if I hide, I will be exposed after death. I wouldn't want to be blamed in death. Why hiding? Absolutely nothing to hide. I drive and move around freely and go to bed as a free man daily.

Before we round this up, say something to Kogites: I am here to serve Kogi State and her occupants. I will do that to the best of my abilities. The entirety of her resources will be utilized for the entirety of the people. Be patient and calm, law abiding and patriotic. By the grace of God, we shall get to the promised land under my stewardship. God bless my people!


Awesome: Cheers!!!

-Sola Opesan Brown



No comments:

Post a Comment