Defining The Celebration of MAAI, The Empirical Factualist

-Dayo ONIBIYO writes

*CHIEF MUKADAM ASHIWAJU ASHIRU IDRIS FCA

The intelligently diligent goal getter, who for his unsized humility, can almost pass for the size of a boy, if one is not critical of looking at subjects closely, as the Isanlu born Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Development came to lines, with indeed a background, known to serve and care for  humanity and had all along being dedicated to his works, even pre- political involvements.

Let me refresh a moment with MAAI in 2023 December, in Isanlu, his home sted, during the celebration of his 49th birthday, where he joined in practically lifting bags of rice and maize to share to the people, one particular thing that struck me with a note, is his refusal to stop sharing despite the fact that people are begining to take twice and more, as noticed and reported by the other team members, he simply responded by saying, " _let them be, they need it, if not they won't keep coming",_ interesting, isn't it.

A man who almost daily run away from titles bestowed on him, is today, a Mukadam and several  communities' Chief, depicting his commitments to his Creator, the supreme God Almighty, whom he admonishes always and to use his word, "paya" (fearfully adore ) and to his community, the spirit of carrying people along.

A graduate of Accountancy, who is now a fellow of the Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) amongst many others, Is an astute, reliable and versatile staff of the Zenith Bank of Nigeria, so much that, his former office had no choice, than to release  him to go serve the larger society, as the clarion call jingled the bell from Kogi State, triggered by the victory of the immediate past Executive Governor of the state, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Adoza Bello CON, asking him to join in paddling the new direction government, in the confluence state- KOGI.

Whatever, informed his background for fact checks is indeed unseparable from his days in the bank, where accountability is a must, and of course guided by the fact that, you will pay for any error on your side, particularly, as it involves refilling an account.

Well, if a man had worked with bank tellers before, if a man has had something to do with vaults as the head, then that tells it all before he rose to the level of Assistant Bank Manager, handling some relationships with over N30 million annual turn over then, then his factual way of life is clear and undoubted.

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Accountancy graduate is a studious fellow, who today has risen to the level of a Fellow, by all standard, way above a Chattered Accountant.

While, at the bank, he won the MD/CEO letter of commendation for Team Player in 2002,  MD/CEO award for the best operational efficiency cash officer in the North  2006.

At work, as a staff of the Government of Kogi State, serving as a Commissioner, and sensitive office of managing the Finance, Budget and Economic Development, he has won the prestigious World Bank Award for Financial Transparency and has done same with the state accounts regularly.

It is no doubt however, that his being conferred chieftaincy titles severally, such as the Afiwajoye of Ogidi Kingdom, the Turaki of Koton Karfi for playing vital roles in building a veritable society, carrying the younger folds along and not failing to attend to the aged ones, at best arriving to leave no one behind.

A visit to Isanlu home of the Commissioner will tell you, he is the man of the people as he does not only wait for them to come, he visits them to know their welfare situations, he has by the grace of God, helped some through the thick and thing of their school demands, with their tuition fees payment: many more with school project fees, some he bailed from the untimely cold hands of death, arising from serious health situations, donation of cars to some, loan to some for  business purposes, support for some to add money and equipment for their business capitals, to be able to move on in life and of course, just recently the off setting of a ten million naira (N10m) fee to help the community have electricity restored for the good of all, even when the community is still seeking ways to raise such fund.

Quoting His Royal Highness on that fateful day, friday 28th February, 2025, HRH Oba Moses Etombi, the Agbana of Isanlu and the Chairman Yagba East LGA has announced that, they have resolved with PHCN, providers of electricity, and the resolution requires the community to pay the sum of ten million naira, (N10m) obviously addressing the state Governor, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman (OAU) as a request for assistance, and there comes, Ashiru Idris with a large heart coming to the rescue, volunteering to clear the bill.

It is good to note that, if you are not sure of what you want and why you need it, you may not get anything off him, as he is not a waster, or indulger of indolence, you must justify your need and the only way is for you, is to be factual, like someone once jocularly said about him, "if he shakes his fingers when you make request, your request won't  fly through, it simply has hit the bar, (sic), but if otherwise, you are game, he simply doesn't indulge laziness or executive begging, he is compassionate and offers helping hands regularly. This you can take to the market.

Celebrating MAAI is not going to be out of place, as it is to encourage him to do more, though as stated earlier, he is not the drum-seeking type, but going by the words of the Holy books, both the Bible and the Quran, we should be appreciate, else we are seen as the thief who carts away ones good and it is further stated that, once you show appreciation, you get more and in this case, other people queuing for help.and attention will surely get to be attended to too.

Across the state and some other states in the country, he had been helpful and still serving humanity with unquestionable sense of growth displayed during his quest for Governorship in 2023.

The incumbent Governor of the state, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman (OAU), alluded and attested to this describing MAAI as a gentleman of peace and progress, noting that, he joined him immediately after the primaries, when he (OAU) got the Governorship ticket and collapsed his structure into the Governor's project, not failing to add, that, till this minute, Ashiwaju is still serving honestly, deligently, tirelessly, diplomatically and objectively, bulldozing ways for the state to get more funds.

Thus far,  many had gotten employment through him, promotions, good postings, some political appointments,.others contracts and all those goodies, why won't at least these people come together to give him a befiting RECEPTION, to celebrate him to energize the enigmatic to do more. Proudly I say, I am willing to be a part of this movement...