Otori Ozigi: Is Yakubu Oseni, A.T. Ahmed Reincarnate?

Arguably, the most illustrious Ebira man that ever lived is late Senator (Engr) A.T. Ahmed of blessed memory. It goes without saying that his death over ten years ago created a big vacuum in the political firmament in Ebiraland. Late A.T.Ahmed remains the greatest man Ebiraland gave to the world. Under the democratic dispensation, no single individual was worthy to step into his big shoes. It appears that we now have a reincarnate of late A.T. Ahmed in the present dispensation. One young man that is worthy to step into A.T. Ahmed's big shoes is Alhaji Yakubu Oseni, the APC senatorial flag bearer from Kogi Central.

Arguably, Yakubu Oseni has shown traces of greatness and political sagacity. It is to this end that this writer has considered him worthy to continue where A.T. Ahmed stopped over ten years ago. It is instructive to note that Yakubu Oseni is imbued with intellectual knowledge and wisdom of late A.T. Ahmed. I wish to recall that I am a direct beneficiary of late A. T. Ahmed philanthropic activities. As a young school leaver in 1981, I went to late A. T. Ahmed at the Federal Airport Authority in search of a job and as much would have it; I was able to meet Late A. T. Ahmed who promptly gave me a job as a clerk in the Airport Authority. After a stint, I had admission to read journalism at Times journalism Institute in Lagos, and it was the same Late A.T. Ahmed who gave me 1 thousand naira to pay for my tuition fees. His demise in 2007 was a personal loss to this writer and many other beneficiaries of Late A. T. Ahmed largess. I was in Lagos with the Nigerian Port Authority when the news of his demise broke out, and for the first time in my life, I wept like a baby. It is with that subconsciousness that I began a search for a worthy politician to step into the shoes of A.T. Ahmed until I finally found one in Alhaji Yakubu Oseni. 

I make bold to say that that young man is arguably a worthy successor to late A.T. Ahmed in every sense of the word.  Recall that he has given employment to over 200 graduates and professionals from Kogi Central into the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service under his watch. Yakubu Oseni has also been able to touch the lives of many people who have had cause to seek his favor and assistance for one problem or another. His large heartedness is flowing like a river. Yakubu Oseni is ever ready to assist anybody that has had cause to seek his financial assistance over the years. Under this democratic dispensation, is one young man that has proven to be a dependable and reliable politician. Recall that his emergence at the just concluded APC primary election was a success foretold. 

His followers cut across every nook and crannies of Kogi Central. Yakubu Oseni is the talk of the town. He is loved by every son and daughter of Ebiraland. He has been able to put his name on the lips of the good people of Kogi Central under this democratic dispensation. This writer is a direct beneficiary of Yakubu Oseni philanthropic activities that is limitless. I make bold to say that he had attended to all my needs each time I've had cause to seek his assistance. I am very proud to disclose this publicly because I'm duty bound to testify to his goodness. Many others might want to testify to Yakubu Oseni's large-heartedness if they had a platform like this.

Yakubu Oseni is on the threshold of making history in the forthcoming 2019 senatorial election as he is favored by God to emerge victorious because he has paid his dues as a new breed politician within a short period. I stand to be corrected when I say that he is the new A.T. Ahmed of our time. His followers as I speak cut across all nooks and crannies of Kogi Central who are ready to join his campaign train. 

In the shortest possible time as a seasoned banker with First Bank PLC, Alhaji Yakubu Oseni made his mark before his entrance into the murky waters of politics in 2015 as the Chief Executive Chairman of Kogi State Internal revenue. He has made several achievements that is a proof of his innovative mind. He has won several awards from individuals and groups of people. He has given the assurance that he will keep all his campaign promises beyond expectations. There is no doubt in my mind that he goes home to victory in the forthcoming Senatorial elections because he has a solid fan base. As we await history, here is wishing him all the good luck he deserves. His campaign train will soon kick off in a grand style. 

As a politician, Yakubu Oseni is idea-driven, and that is exactly what we need at a time like this when politics of issues and ideas should take centre stage in our national life. The time has come for politics of ideas over money politics. Long live Kogi State. Long live Kogi Central. Long live Yakubu Oseni.

Otori Ozigi is a retired public servant, journalist/PR consultant.