By: OPOMULERO
Without micing words, the vast majority of spectators having history handy will quite agree that the narrative of leadership in Yagba land had changed drastically from what it used to be; unimpressive and warped, to an era of inclusiveness,responsiveness and pure show of patriotism on the part of the government to the governed. Indeed, time and season had changed because baton of leadership had evolved.
Its factual, no battalion of soldier can stop an ideal whose time has come. I made bold to say, Asiwaju Idris Asiru is the new bride whose emergence had open the veil off the eyes of the people to see a new and better way they can be truly served without being shortchanged neither development elude them in any way. In his short stint at the helms, there has been a clear demostration of virtues that places the good and wellbeing of the people far above self service.
Mukadam is a rare breed among leaders whose carriage and essence is strongly built on character; Okun values and the innate virtues of Omooluwabi. No wonder the traditional fraternity cum council of Isanlu kingdom could not deemphasise this untainted fact because testimony of his cultured and alluring character ring bells,he was adorned deservingly with AFIWAGBOYE OF ISANLU KINGDOM.
Many who had cause to cross his path,if sincere, can eloquently testify to his omooluwabi trait cum conduct. He made sure, despite the huge responsibility of his office,to attend to everyone regardless of class or status. He's one of the most accessible and humble appointee who does not allow power and perks of office to get a better part of him neither misused in any way.
The choice of Mukadam Asiwaju Idris Asiru by his brother, friend and principal, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is spirit revealed and never by flesh. He's a huge blessing to the new direction government owing to his unparalleled competence and capacity both as a sound technocrat in office and also commited general on the political turf. He has expanded the Frontier of our finances as a state through reforms in the ministry, due compliant to international initiatives and building of strong bond and alliance with donor agencies. Today, the evidence are abound in the state with the recent world bank award on portfolio management where Kogi emerged the best. Also programmes like RAMP, SIFMIS are many interventions, remain a plus to the leadership acumen and drive of Asiwaju Idris Asiru. He's an enigma with sound intellectual,finance expert and an invaluable asset any government wish to have in her arsenal. No wonder, GYB himself alluded to the fact in one of the forums that Asiwaju Idris Asiru is Good at what he does,saying on his return for second term, he will continue to be his Finance commissioner.
Also, as chairman Kogi state Economic team ,he performed excellently well. Investors were coming into Kogi state in droves because of the proactiveness and versatility of the economic team as led by mukadam. Happily, the fruit of their hardwork, experience and diligence in separating genuine investors from extortionist,yielded the gigantic RICE MILL in Omi,Ejiba, Yagba West LGA today. Its a legacy project that will go down in the annals of the state as first,unique and enduring. Although,not surprising, Asiwaju had shown time immemorial he's a leader with sense of purpose whose intent is to take people to where they ought to be and not necessarily where they want to be. He leads and we follow religiously because he has led himself over time very well.
On the political turf, his giant strides are numerous compared to the general impression of been a neophyte or new in the game,but he proofed to be a true game changer with the understanding that been a representative of the people automatically entrusted him with the sole responsibility of SERVICE and nothing more. He's a leader whose ideology and trajectory of leadership is towards the betterment of the people because they are his strength and their joy is his Joy any day. He has transverse many sector of our economy to get back to the masses positively.
HEALTH
~He facilitated the treatment and operation of defective eyes and giving of eye glasses for FREE to the people of Yagba east and beyond in partnership with an organisation from Kaduna for 5days. Those old women and men are still praying for him till today for such unconditional show of love.
~He has a subsisting an arrangement with a private hospital in isanlu where health cases reported to him are referred to without them paying a dime. Free of charge!
~ He has handed out finance support for emergency health cases and operation for diverse people beyond the shores of Yagba east and Yagba land.
EDUCATION
~His education foundation has given out scholarships to Indigent students to further their academics hitherto threatened by scarcity of funds.
~He bought about 200 WAEC and NECO forms for students whose parents can't afford the financial incurement.
~ Asiwaju summer classes was designed to provide lesson to pupils during long holidays for the purpose of advancing their academic output.
~Many higher institution students are in the past and currently on his school fees bill.
~ Many schools had enjoyed his kind gesture in support of their programs and infrastructural upgrades.
EMPOWERMENT
~Needless to mention the past, In less than 2 months he has given out 15 vehicles, 50 motorcycles,20 sewing machines, 150 handsets, Electrical tool box and many more artisan tools.
~ He has given start up capital to about 30 young artisans and many cooperative societies.
~There records of financial support to individuals too numerous to mention here.
PUBLIC UTILITIES
~He lobbied transformers and restoration of power to communities that are in drakness for long through the state government.
~ He has sunked more than 15 boreholes to communities across Yagba land and rehabilitated many.
~ He constructed covets and gutters in communities where flood threatened
~He helped so many hinterland communities to make their roads Moro motorable via grading.
~ He lobbied the rehabilitation and total overhaul of Isanlu water works and it reticulation to communities hitherto not connected.
EMPLOYMENT
~They are too numerous to mention but all dotted round the Kogi state Ministry of Justice, Kogi state Internal Revenue service, Ministry of Health, Vigilante group, Forest Guards, Ajaokuta steel company, Zenith Bank and many in the private sector.
RELIGIOUS INTERVENTIONS
~He has contributed massively to the work of God across the major faiths; Muslim and Christianity. The brand new Isanlu central mosque is at an advance stage of completion,courtesy Asiwaju Idris Asiru and friends who supported the noble course.
He had done so much as highlighted above not without the staunch support of his boss, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello to who our gratitude and thanks can not be overemphasized for giving unto us,Yagba people, such a wonderful soul as a leader at these time in our history.
Asiwaju Idris Asiru is a man of uncommon Grace just like his Boss,looking at how God had aided his ascension from his humble background right from banking days to been a Finance commissioner in the confluence state. Such unique Grace has also distinguished him among equals to be so elected as the Forum chairman of all finance commissioners in Nigeria.
It's now left for Okun nation and Yagba as a whole to get their house in order as a party to face the coming election frontally, so we can deliver Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for second term in office. Aftermath, we Okuns can confidently demand for inclusive power shift that would break the jinx as a race that has not seated as number one citizen. We have shining stars and prospective personality that can take up the baton,in which, Asiwaju Idris Asiru towers them all.
It's not vain glorious, to say he's truly a pride of Yagba land whose perfect mix of Character, Competenceand Grace is rare. We can only continue to pray for Wisdom, Understanding and wherewithal for him as he serves God almighty and humanity.