The Man Senator Jibrin Isah (Echocho) before and Today Natasha
Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho’s legacy, which began long before his time in the Senate, reflects a consistent and deep commitment to human development, economic empowerment, and the overall welfare of his people. His career in the private sector, particularly in banking, served as a foundation for the impactful work he continues to do as a public servant.
Historically, Echocho’s name has been closely associated with opportunity, development and progress. Before he entered politics, he had already distinguished himself as a person who used his position to create jobs and uplift the people of Kogi East, West, and Central. This period in his life highlights a key point about Echocho’s leadership: his dedication to service transcends his official titles. Even when he didn’t hold a political office, he worked tirelessly to support his community, particularly through job creation.
The banking sector, where Echocho built his career, is often seen as one of the most competitive and structured environments. It’s a world driven by profit margins, risk management, and stringent regulations, which makes the opportunities to influence human development even more limited. However, Echocho leveraged his position and influence to lobby for opportunities, ensuring that the people from his home state benefitted from the networks and resources available to him. His ability to navigate the corporate world to the advantage of his people across the state and Nigeria is an indicator of his exceptional ability to lead and serve.
Echocho’s work in the private sector, where job creation is typically more constrained, stands out because of how he made it a priority to help his people. While most would focus solely on climbing the corporate ladder, Echocho made human development a key part of his mission, ensuring that as he rose through the ranks, he brought others with him. This effort resulted in countless people from Kogi State receiving jobs and other opportunities, allowing them to improve their own lives and the lives of their families.
It’s important to emphasize that the opportunities Echocho created in the banking sector were not just for a select few. He ensured that people from all parts of Kogi State—East, West, and Central—benefitted from the positions and connections he fostered. This inclusive approach speaks to his belief in lifting the entire state, not just focusing on one part of his constituency.
Now that he’s a senator, Echocho’s capacity to create jobs and empower people has significantly expanded. “if a man can give jobs while in a private sector, talk more of now that he’s a senator.” With the resources, influence, and authority that come with being a senator, Echocho is able to amplify the work he started in the private sector. His time in the Senate has allowed him to facilitate job opportunities in several federal and Kogi agencies, benefiting even more people than he could in his earlier career.
Echocho’s leadership style is particularly notable for its quiet effectiveness. He doesn’t seek out the limelight or public recognition for the work he does—he simply gets the job done. Whether it’s facilitating jobs in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), or the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Echocho ensures that his people receive meaningful employment opportunities without making a spectacle of it. He has shown time and time again that it’s not about being seen doing the work, but about the impact that work has on people’s lives.
The comparison between Echocho and Senator Natasha, is often made without fully understanding the depth of Echocho’s contributions over time. While Natasha’s efforts, such as facilitating a few job placements in private organizations like Air Peace, are commendable, Echocho’s long-standing record of job creation and empowerment spans a much wider scale. His influence reaches federal agencies, which offer more stable and long-term career opportunities compared to positions in private companies. This kind of job facilitation has a more profound and lasting effect on the beneficiaries’ lives, as these positions typically come with career growth opportunities, pensions, and other benefits that private sector jobs may not always offer.
It’s important to engage in constructive criticism, but comparisons should be made with an objective understanding of the full scope of each leader’s work. Echocho’s contributions should not be minimized or dismissed because they are less visible to the public. His impact goes far beyond what is seen on social media or in the news. His ability to provide jobs for his constituents, even before becoming a senator, and continuing to do so now, sets him apart as a leader who has always been committed to the progress of his people.
Echocho’s leadership can be seen as an embodiment of servant leadership. He consistently focuses on the needs of his people rather than seeking personal accolades or public attention. His willingness to work behind the scenes to ensure his constituents are taken care of, without constantly seeking recognition, reflects a deep level of humility and dedication to the well-being of his community. This kind of leadership, while often overshadowed by more media-savvy figures, is what truly builds long-term progress and development.
His ability to facilitate jobs, lobby for opportunities, and provide for his constituents both in and out of public office, sets him apart from other leaders. The breadth of his work, particularly in human development, speaks to his capacity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives—something that can’t be easily compared or reduced to surface-level metrics like the number of media appearances or high-profile events.
Conclusively, Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho’s legacy of service and human development goes far beyond his current role as a senator. His work in the private sector, where opportunities were more limited, laid the groundwork for the large-scale empowerment he continues to provide today. The comparisons with Natasha may be inevitable, but it’s essential to recognize that Echocho’s contributions are deeply rooted in his long-standing commitment to the welfare of his people. His leadership style—focused on impact rather than optics—places him in a league of his own, making him a truly exceptional figure in Kogi State’s development trajectory.
Comr. Peter Ugbedeojo Nelson, PhD.
