REMEMBER ADAMU ATTA

By:

Pastor Joseph Suleiman (Manjoe)

I would rather have one little rose

From the garden of a friend

Than to have the choicest flowers

When my stay on earth must end

I would rather have a pleasant word

In kindness said to me

Than flattery when my heart is still

And life has ceased to be

I would rather have a loving smile

From friends I know are true

Than tears shed around my casket

When to this world I bid adieu

Bring me all your flowers today

Whether pick, or white or red

I’d rather have one blossom now

Than a truckload when I’m dead.

-          Anonymous

Nigerians have an obnoxious tradition of easily forgetting their erstwhile good leaders. The immediate past despot of Kogi State, “Emperor” Alhaji Abubakar Audu, bemoaned this tradition in his mournful valediction when traditional rulers paid him a farewell visit. Emperor Audu did say correctly, that it is only when rulers are in power that they are recognized and respected. Soon as they leave office, they are consigned into oblivion (Remember Radio Kogi and the no alternative to Audu singsong? Now they know power is transient!)

One leader that has been so shabbily treated because he is no longer in office is Alhaji Adamu Atta, a former executive governor of old Kwara State – you remember Alhaji Adamu Atta vacated power in 1983. Before becoming the governor in 1979, Alhaji Adamu was a household name in Ebiraland because of his generosity. Adamu Atta is well known to be generous to a fault. He maintained a low profile and of all the Atta children that I know none but late Alhaji Abdulmalik and Dr. A.I. Atta is better than Alhaji Adamu Atta in terms of patriotism and humility. He is a gentleman to the core.

In spite of the old ITU and NPC animosity as at the time Adamu Atta became governor, he maintained very cordial relationship with the late Ohinoyi, Alhaji Sanni Omolori. And beyond this, Adamu Atta made friends of the vestiges of ITUs and their children. Though it could be argued and correctly too, that the late Ohinoyi, Alhaji Sanni Omolori, was himself a peace-loving ruler who readily recognized Adamu Atta as his Governor and never engaged himself in any dirty political intrigue. The fact still remains that but from his good nature, Adamu Atta could easily have been influenced to engage in vengeance mission against the then paramount ruler, Alhaji Sanni Omolori and the vestiges of ITU. This is a very rare quality that is lacking in the present Ebira political and traditional leaders. Today, Ebira has more divisions and more communal clashes than ever witnessed in the history of Ebiraland. Indeed good people are never appreciated until they leave the stage.

To some extent Adamu Atta could be said to be the author of modern Ebira – schools experienced growth and expansion during his tenure, the modern hospital at Obangede, the Osara Campus of Kogi Polytechnic, the development of Inoziomi new layout are all good fallouts of Adamu Atta’s reign. His tenure brought honour and prosperity to Ebiraland.

At individual level, his tenure produced the emergence of wealthy illiterate contractors in Ebiraland. He lifted many who were literally unknown to positions of honour and political relevance. Beyond this, apart from Dr. Abdulazeez Farouk, Alhaji A.T. Ahmed, the generation of Chief Obaro, Senator Ohiare and Mr. Phillips, most of our present political godfathers in Ebiraland were lifted to positions of political importance by Alhaji Adamu Atta. The good deeds of Adamu are near endless.

It is, however, sad to recall that the man who had done these good deeds is today wallowing in poverty and badly afflicted by sickness. It is inconceivably hard to believe that several political cronies that fed fat from contracts and appointment in Adamu’s glorious days as Governor have all together jettisoned their benefactor at a time he needs them most. It is morally criminal on anybody’s part who has milked fortune out of Adamu Atta’s glorious days in government to abandon him now. It is often said that one good turn deserves another, but is it not even more so in the case of this ageing statesman and in his hour of need? Adamu Atta needs loving care in his trying moment. His political limbo is one big problem, the possibility of losing one’s sight is worse, yet it is another big problem if a public figure once in the limelight is left all alone in ceria isolation. The neglect of Adamu Atta is even more callous on the part of relevant institutions – Ebira community nay LGAs in Kogi Central Senatorial District, the Governments of Kwara and Kogi States and even the Federal Government who should make him comfortable in his present moment of affliction.

For instance, the Federal Government has at sundry times appointed former governors as ministers. Jim Nwobodo was Adamu Atta’s peer as governor of old Anambra State. He was appointed Minister of Youths and Sports by the Abacha regime, Abubakar Rimi, Lateef Jakande, Solomon Lar and lately Cornelius Adebayo were all political peers of Adamu Atta who are enjoying government largesse – why is our own Adamu Atta in a state of neglect? What is it in us as a people that kills our own stars so early? What is it in us that make our good men of yesterday become bad as soon as they enter not politics? Remember the once amiable and no-nonsense Mr. Patrick Adaba? Mr. Patrick Adaba was patriot who served meritoriously before he ventured into politics. But if one must survive Ebira politics he must do as Romans when in Rome.

Reflecting on Adamu Atta’s pathetic situation I begin to appreciate why statesmen and good leaders are in short supply in Ebiraland. A community that fails to honour and appreciate selfless service cannot make progress. A community that honours criminals and worships money, and relegates good character and integrity to the background can’t go far. And a community whose political leaders are at the mercy of political thugs and illiterate godfathers will always lose out in any political contest where brain and brawn is required.

There is something wrong in our socio-political environment that must be corrected. We must make atonement for our corporate sins to enjoy progress. We must change our approach to community issues and accord due recognition to men of good character and integrity over and above men of questionable wealth.

In inference, therefore, in whatever area Adamu Atta may have failed during his tenure as governor, it is not because of anything bad in him as a person, but the condition of his environment. His failing must have been occasioned by the condition of Ebira political environment, his failure during his tenure as governor was traceable to the army of never-do-well hangers on that surrounded him, the same elements that are responsible for the divisions and the political failures of Ebira today. We must begin to appreciate poor but good leaders and part ways with the rich renegades of yesterday, I do hope that Senator A.T. Ahmed will learn from Adamu Atta’s bitter experience. It is better to enrich the community than to enrich individuals.

Finally, Ebira and relevant others must rise up to show Adamu Atta the love and care he deserves while he is still alive and save ourselves from hypocritical funeral oration at whatever time God calls him to rest. Let us honour him today to encourage other leaders.

We must remember that the measure with which we mete to others would be meted unto us. May God give us the grace to sow good seeds that will outlive us. I hope the people are listening.