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
