By Felix Samari
On Thursday 11th November, 2021 I had a late evening flight to catch from Lagos to Abuja on Dana air.
It had rained for hours in Lagos that day so it was really cold at the departure hall of MM2.
About 8pm I walked to the tea cafe and sat beside three other gentlemen. They were already enjoying their coffee when I arrived.
“Good evening sir, it’s a good evening for coffee tonight” I said and they all smiled in agreement with me. In a short while, we were already chatting the evening away like old friends. I obviously was the youngest amongst them and they all looked well learned and possibly in government or business.
As we conversed over our coffee, I told them I am from Adamawa State. “Oh, you guys are very lucky you have a performing Governor.” One of them said confidently. Honestly, my self esteem suddenly surged and I felt very proud and comfortable.
As an ATM Ambassador I saw an opportunity to hear more about how people outside Adamawa State think about my Governor who I am so proud of. I pretended I did not understand what the man was talking about. “Sir do you think so?” I asked and before he could reply, the next man cut in, “by the rating of governors today in Nigeria your governor is one among the top three performing Governors.” He said.
Wow, I thought almost aloud. But then, I felt I should push on a little further. “Judging by What parameters?” I asked. The first man said, “a performing Governor is one who has a strategic approach to development and is able to do it holistically. Education, healthcare, infrastructure, human capital development and rural development.
“The Adamawa State Governor is on course doing all these and he has in a short while transformed the state. Or do you think otherwise?” He asked me.
I sipped from my blended coffee cup, and told them part of the story they didn’t know about. The recent youth Empowerment initiative of the governor, his approach to security in the State and how the security situation has greatly improved alongside his Urban renewal project.
They were all engaged in conversations on the role of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in stabilizing the PDP and how he handled the last convention.
Our flight was delayed because of the rain but time was short as the conversation on Fintiri was really interesting. Before we moved to gate 2 for boarding, we exchanged contacts, pleasantries and departed on a fresh air note.
The flgiht was good, no turbulence and we landed in Abuja quarter to 11pm. We still saw at the arrival and they smiled and waved goodbye to their Adamawa friend all because Fintiri is working.
