By Mike Adeyemi
Too many times, particularly during elections, politicians travel round communities and towns making grand speeches and trumpeting qualities, which they believe make them uniquely qualified to lead the people.
Alas, too many times after the elections are over, the promises fade from memory and the people turn away disappointed as before and are left to struggle on their own for another four years.
But for the Executive Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, Honourable Nuhu Majeed Podo, this is not just about promises-It is about fulfilling those promises and restoring the people’s common sense of purpose.
It is often said that destiny is irreversible, and it thus presupposes that whatever has been destined in one’s lifetime would not go unfulfilled, notwithstanding the longevity of time. Perhaps, this assertion accounts for why it has been said that ‘we are nothing but pencil in the hand of the creator’.
One of those whose destinies have continued to single out for good reasons is Hon. Nuhu Majeed Podo, the number one citizen of Ilorin South Local Government Area. Based on empirical facts, one individual whose military trajectory has stood out from his peers is Hon. Nuhu Majeed Podo whose career paths are highlighted as a testament to dedication, discipline, and exceptional military acumen.
Everyone has a story to tell. Every day, we meet people from different walks of life; whether a lawyer or a classroom teacher; a Managing Director or a gate man; a banker or bus conductor…the list is endless.
However, regardless of our sundry careers, professions or work, what ultimately defines us is the quality and strength of our attitudes of mind. Quite frankly, we have heard the almost banal and clichéd statement that – “as our faces are different, so are our challenges, desires, and aspirations”.
Well, it is true because a lot of us go to work and our business places, all adorned in fine clothing and perfumes; the smiles from our faces can literally light up an entire street…that’s how we roll.
Also, behind our colourful garbs and ‘keyboard’ smiles lies some of our frustrations, challenges, and sometimes warm tears that literally deluge our pillows when we go to sleep at night (at least for those who are fortunate enough to have a place to lay their heads).
The above analogies ab initio best defines the political upsurge grass to grace of Majeed Podo , a son of Kwara political icon, Alh. Baba Podo , a man whose life’s conundrum could best be versed as a child of destiny and how he had literally went through the gutters of life to sitting and dining with presidents, kings, and prince of our time.
Nuhu Majeed Podo has obviously gone beyond the threshold of taxonomies among the top political bigwigs in Kwara State to becoming a living legend in leadership and humanitarian services to the good people of Ilorin South Local Government Area. From his fetal stages to where he is today, Podo have continued to leave indelible prints not only in Ilorin South, Kwara State, but also in the consciousness of the Nigerian political space.
However, the Ilorin South local government boss has his story too; he has been through the heated crucible of life, and like gold he has passed through fire to emerge fine and refined. As the Son of a well known political Juggernaut, Nuhu Majeed Podo did not only sustain the father’s name but stepped out of its cloak to carve a niche for himself in the military and the political world.
Podo, the military- turned politician had a distinguished military career that involved extensive international service and, most notably, peacekeeping operations in Sudan and many other countries across the globe and was marked by integrity and courage, distinguishing him in a system where conformity is often easier.
From a low level , to a glorious political career, Majeed Podo has blazed the trail—and still breaking into new frontiers.
Since the arrival of Hon. Nuhu Majeed Podo as Executive Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, people of his area have come to realize that despite having experienced democracy for 27 years there could possibly not have been a better helmsman at the council other than the one currently leading them right now.
In a country where chairmen are habitually indicted of doing little or nothing to lift the standard of living of their people, Hon Majeed Podo has proved to be a shiny exception as he has taken great responsibilities upon himself beyond just being a chairman to making visible and verifiable impact on the people of his cocoon through his Direct Touch Initiative which has seen him assisting a lot of his people with the provision of electricity transformers, motorized boreholes, renovation of schools, health facilities etc.
Podo has also gifted a good number of his domain with empowerments items, cash gifts, fertilizers and insecticides to over 250 farmers and scholarships to indigent pupils/students across the eleven wards which includes, Akanbi I, Akanbi II, Akanbi III, Akanbi IV, Akanbi V, Balogun Fulani I, Balogun Fulani II, Okaka I, Okaka II and Oke – Ogun.
The Chairman in addition dug many boreholes in varies communities like Idofian , Fufu, Agbabiaka, Tanke and Fate. Other communities that benefited from his magnanimous service to the people are, Meduku community, Alagbado, Idi-Isin, Ojere community, Ogidi, Olomonda, Adunbarin, Okoolowo, Eyenkorin, Ajibesin, Amilengbe, and Oke -Aluko, to mention but few.
The ebullient soldier- turned politician has actually brought a dividend of democracy to the good people of Ilorin South Local Government Area through his avid leadership style as he has touched and impacted lives throughout the eleven wards.
The fact remains that whatever naysayers and hack writers say about him, Podo remains on a different level in visible service to the people and verifiable achievements far and above those who vainly vilify him for petty purposes. Sharply focused, Hon. Majeed Podo has not allowed himself to be distracted by such mischiefs nor has he allowed his exemplary service to Allah through humanity gets dampened. Rather, he has promised to even do more for as many as are under the coverage of both his personal and executive radars.
The soft-spoken Ilorin South Local Government Chairman is undoubtedly a fiercely loyal party man who toes the party line on all issues. He was among those who spoke and eloquently eulogized the current governor of Kwara State, Mall. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a rare gem and a blessing to the people of the state of harmony. Hon. Nuhu Majeed Podo described the Kwara State governor as a man who has given Kwarans the state of their dream.
I chose to celebrate one of Nigeria’s emerging politician cum chief servant of Ilorin South Local Government Area, not out of parochial interest, but as a result of my ideology which resonates with a school of thought—we should magnify the values and personalities we want to see replicated in the society.
In saner climes, most of the times, impresario cum do-gooder like him with proven track records get the admiration of their fellow citizens more than celeb, because of the impact their deeds have had on the populace.
In the United States, for example, the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Mark Zuckerberg, etcetera, are revered as economic behemoths that command a lot of respect from both governments and citizens, not necessarily because of their wealth but as a result of their entrepreneurial exploits which have created opportunities for others.
Nuhu Majeed Podo has succeeded not only in the Military or Political enclave, but in family life. As an affectionate husband and compassionate father, Podo has been a great role model to his wives and the children. He taught them how to step out of their parents’ legacies and make a name for themselves.
This write-up is an illustrative of Allah’s purposeful agenda over those destined for greatness, irrespective of their peculiar circumstances. It establishes the fact that the circumstances of one’s birth does not determine how far he will go in life, nor is it a factor of limitation. Everything depends on God who gives meaning and significance to life. If Majeed Podo could make it, you too can!
It is indeed important to note that favour from the Lord is what we need to be positioned on the path of fulfilling Allah’s call on one’s life. There is a great difference between a man who has obtained favour from Allah and he who is barely standing on his personal merit in life.
Standing on personal merit in life is characterised by struggle, hard labour, stress and all manner of difficulties. On the other hand, when we anchor on the supernatural, His grace distinguishes us and smoothens our course. To stand on grace is to stand on the glory of life.
Grace is the bedrock of divine promotion and favour. The Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government was lifted from the down-trodden and grassroots society to a graceful class society through God’s subsisting grace elicited by a corresponding godliness on the part of the maiden. You only need God’s mercy and grace to come to terms with your fascinating dreams in life.
Nuhu Majeed Podo’s life is a connotative depiction of how God can and has always raised and lifted faithful men and women from nothing to something, from nonentity to celebration, from the place of irrelevance to significance and from nobody to somebody.
Mike Adeyemi, a seasoned journalist ,writes from Ilorin, Kwara State – Nigeria.
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