Friday Sani Makama is Not A Thug

Anyone who the society can survive without his or her positive contribution to the well being of the people is a thug. A thug lives a low life with an unpossesing boyish charm, always hired for violent expedition and criminality. Elder Friday Sani Makama is not a thug as the government of Governor Yahaya Bello is made to believe. If at all he is, it is an intellectual one. Because no man born of a woman is infallible. An intellectual thug uses his or her wealth of knowledge to remedy a mind disturbing problems from childhood.

From records, Friday Sani Makama has a plethora of achievements and political structure that is unmatchable as far as politics is concerned at the home front democracy. Take the indiscriminate cutting of economic trees in Odolu, Makama’s home town for instance, as a young and ebullient youth, Makama gave Hippo Nigeria Ltd, founded and managed by Adejo Obaje, a strong fight and brought the activities of the organisation to a halt till today. Because the host community were not benefiting from the proceed of the company’s activities not even a scholarship keep any developmental agenda.

Makama’s spirit of unionism and activism became and eye opener to all Igalas to stand up for their right and put a demand on it. Shortly afterwards, the sons and daughters in the land became actively involved in the felling of such trees, company process it, package it and export abroad, an opportunity that was far from their reach in the distant past.

At a time when gun politics was the other of the day, Makama was the only voice of reason that stood for the volatile, gullible and vulnerable ones. He sacrificed almost everything at his disposal to put an end to the barbaric lifestyle of hooliganism, gangsterism and government sponsored thugs. This singular act nearly rubbished his name in the mud. Makama is a man who is always against all odds especially government paid hooliganism. This forms a major part of conspiracy theory which led to the frivolous suspension meted out to him in Kogi State House Assembly.

The best way not to be dehumanized, rendered inferior, irrelevant and isolated in life is to build your world from being victimized by it and constantly open to learning. Elder Friday Sani Makama is versatile. His versatility and openness to learning has paved way for him to be a man who adds value to the society, rather than subtracting, siphoning it through fat bank accounts or merely pursuing fame.

Makama believes popularity is not a call until your calling makes you popular, hence, it is surprising, shocking and striking to hear some government functionaries like Edward Onoja calling Elder Makama a thug. Edward, whose portfolio as Chief of Staff in Kogi, is not recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria is blackmailing a Lawmaker legitimately elected by Igalamela/Odolu Constituency on his Facebook page, branding him as a thug which can be sued for defamation of character.

The evil that men do lives after them, the good is always interred with their bone. Besides Dele Giwa of blessed memory said “no evil done to man shall go unpunished. Any evil done to man by man shall be redressed (either by man or God Himself) (emphasis mine) . if not now certainly later for the victory of evil over good is temporal”

– Salisu Isah Umar