BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO MY BOSS, BENEFACTOR AND LEADER
Your Excellency,
On this special day, as I have always done, I choose to express my profound appreciation for your unwavering love, kindness, and support for me and members of my family.
Before you became the Governor of Kogi State, I never had the privilege of a personal relationship or close contact with you. However, I became fascinated by your personality from afar. During the build-up to the 2015 governorship election, your youthful, charming, and confident appearance on campaign billboards strategically mounted across Kogi East caught my attention. I remember saying to myself, “This young man looks courageous enough to be our Governor—if only they will allow him.”
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By divine providence and the fulfilment of destiny, God settled my fears. His ultimate decision cleared every obstacle and fault line that appeared to stand in your way. With remarkable courage and determination, you emerged as the Governor of Kogi State.
Your emergence rekindled hope among countless young people, not only in Kogi State but beyond. More importantly, it inspired many of us who were born without privilege or influence—those of us who were not born with silver or golden spoons.
Since I had no access to you or anyone within your administration during the early years of your first tenure, I chose to express my observations and concerns about governance through social media, particularly Facebook. One such intervention was my 2016 article titled “Mass Exodus of Qualified Academic Staff from Kogi State University, Anyigba,” in which I highlighted challenges confronting the institution and offered suggestions on how to address them.
Your Excellency, although you were not my friend on Facebook at the time, some individuals seized upon that article and, in their desperate quest for relevance within your administration, deliberately misrepresented my intentions. Without understanding the sincerity behind my concerns, they painted me as someone opposed to your administration, embellishing their narratives with falsehoods to advance their personal agendas.
Even when these concocted stories, fuelled by envy and resentment from those threatened by my growing profile and career progression, eventually reached you, you responded with the calmness and maturity that have always defined your leadership. Rather than succumbing to pressure from those who urged that I should be dealt with, you simply chose to observe and assess me for yourself.
Indeed, you watched and observed. Yet despite the coordinated campaign of misinformation spearheaded by a few jealous individuals and amplified through multiple channels, you refused to be swayed by their narratives.
At one point, during the administration immediately preceding the current one at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, I was removed from my position as Dean of Student Affairs. The action was purportedly justified as an “order from above,” allegedly issued by Your Excellency.
However, when the truth eventually got to you and you discovered that your name was being falsely invoked to justify actions you neither initiated nor approved, I later learnt that you firmly distanced yourself from such claims. You made it clear that I should neither be misjudged nor maltreated under the guise of your authority. Remarkably, rather than being diminished, I was subsequently entrusted with even greater leadership responsibilities within the University.
Your Excellency, I must also confess that amid those orchestrated attacks and persistent attempts to portray me as an enemy of your administration, I became increasingly critical and oppositional. Nevertheless, I never crossed the boundaries of decency and respect because my upbringing and values would not permit it.
Yet, despite all the misunderstandings and hostilities, you demonstrated an extraordinary level of humanity. Without any prompting from me, you extended your kindness and generosity to my family during one of the most difficult moments of our lives.
I will never forget the day I sat in my office desperately seeking ways to save the life of my younger brother, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and urgently required surgery. The required deposit was beyond my means. Out of desperation, I decided to sell my car—a vehicle I had purchased through a cooperative loan that I had barely finished repaying—at a giveaway price in order to raise funds for his treatment.
In the midst of that trauma, I received a call through Chief Edward Onoja. You wanted to know why I was so desperate to sell my vehicle at such a ridiculously low price. Apparently, the prospective buyer had explained my predicament while soliciting support from some government contacts.
Your Excellency, you did not merely stop me from selling the car. You generously offered to fund the surgery and indeed paid for it. Although my brother eventually did not survive the medical procedure, your compassion and intervention remain forever etched in the hearts of my family. That singular act of kindness can never be forgotten.
Following that experience, I emerged from my quiet corner and wholeheartedly mobilised support for your re-election in 2019. I was convinced that a man who could make such a sincere effort to save the life of a member of my family deserved my unwavering support. Despite the challenges and risks associated with that election, we remained committed. The rest, as they say, is history.
In 2020, Your Excellency appointed me as Acting Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, and later confirmed the appointment after becoming satisfied with my performance.
Again, you demonstrated exceptional leadership during that appointment. While naysayers and detractors sought to discourage you and create confusion around your decision, you remained resolute, pragmatic, and focused on the future. You saw possibilities where others saw limitations.
Interestingly, that appointment came at another critical moment in my family’s life. My younger sister had been involved in a serious road accident, and we were struggling to finance her treatment. The allowance I received during my first twenty-eight days as Rector provided the initial support that facilitated her treatment and eventual survival.
Throughout my tenure, you gave me the freedom to lead without undue interference in the internal affairs of the Polytechnic. For nearly six years, I discharged my responsibilities with that confidence and trust.
Your Excellency, you also introduced me to your successor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, long before he became Governor, when he served as Auditor-General for Local Government. Many matters concerning me were referred to him by you for assessment and advice. Unknown to many, you had contemplated my elevation to higher responsibilities while I was still serving as Rector, although prevailing societal fault lines delayed the realisation of that vision.
In all your dealings with me, you never considered my humble family background. Rather, you were determined to raise the children of ordinary people and empower them to achieve extraordinary things. I am a direct beneficiary of that philosophy. To this day, you have never met my father, though you had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting my mother during the Convocation Ceremony of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, toward the end of your administration.
Your benevolence and unconditional support inspired me to believe in whatever and whoever you believed in. Consequently, I did not hesitate to join the political struggle in support of the gubernatorial aspiration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo in 2023. I became one of the few individuals from Kogi East who openly, sincerely, and fearlessly championed that project despite the intense hostility and risks involved. Alhamdulillah, Allah never disappoints those whose intentions are pure and whose vision is guided by sincerity. Once again, the rest is history.
The emergence of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, as your successor has ensured the continuity of your enduring legacies and sustained opportunities for many individuals whom you have selflessly mentored and empowered, including my humble self.
You introduced my capabilities and potential to your successor, who subsequently approved the recommendation of the Governing Council for my appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.
For me, 11th February 2026 will forever remain a memorable date. On that day, I handed over as Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, and assumed office as Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba. That significant milestone in my career cannot be fully narrated without acknowledging the foundation you laid and the opportunities you created for me to thrive.
Your Excellency, it is often disheartening to witness how misunderstood, misjudged, and misrepresented you are by many who fail to appreciate your humanitarian and philanthropic disposition. I stand today as a living testimony to your commitment to uplifting the hopeless, empowering the disadvantaged, and creating opportunities for those whom society may have overlooked.
I can only imagine the discomfort of those who never believed that someone of your age, background, and perceived ethnic minority status could attain such remarkable national and international prominence. Yet, by the grace of God, you became Governor of Kogi State and successfully governed the state to His glory.
While I remain concerned by the silence and indifference of some beneficiaries of your generosity, I am comforted by the knowledge that God Almighty has continually served as your guide, shield, protector, and provider throughout your journey.
As you celebrate your birthday today, I reflect deeply and become even more convinced that many of history’s greatest men fulfilled their divine missions amidst intense opposition and persecution. The challenges you have faced and continue to face are, in my view, part of the refining process preparing you for even greater assignments ahead in service to humanity.
Indeed, God has been exceedingly gracious to you. He has made you one of the most successful politicians to emerge from Kogi State. You remain the only former Governor who continues to enjoy meaningful relationships with both predecessors and successors. Such a feat is rare in Nigeria and particularly uncommon in Kogi State. You therefore have every reason to remain grateful to Almighty God regardless of temporary, politically induced misunderstandings or persecutions.
Your Excellency, on this special day, I reaffirm my unalloyed loyalty, appreciation, and enduring gratitude for your ceaseless love, guidance, mentorship, and life-changing support to me and countless others whom you have empowered us to empower.
Today and always, I celebrate you.
Happy Birthday to my Boss, Benefactor, Mentor, and Leader for Life.
May Almighty God continue to grant you good health, wisdom, strength, protection, and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
Congratulations, Your Excellency, and Happy Birthday, Sir.
Professor (Chief) Salisu Ogbo Usman
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JUNE 19TH 2026)
