President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing effort to fix Nigeria requires men and women of impeccable characters and thoroughbred professionals.
Fortunately, Nigeria is never short of such people.
From the six geopolitical zones across the country, they are everywhere, betraying the landscapes with sublime candour and patriotism.
From the array of ministerial nominees submitted to the Senate by President Tinubu, Nigerians are beginning to appreciate the former Lagos State Governor for going for the best brains in all areas of human endeavour to assist him to deliver good governance to our people.
Over the years, Nigerians have yearned for quality leadership.
Unfortunately, however, this has not been so. They have been shortchanged.
Years of poor economic and administrative mismanagement had continued to steer us in our faces, leaving us in a quandary.
Regrettably, leaders have emerged either through religious sentiments or tribal and other cleavages, leaving us with just action, but no movement. Bemused.
Tinubu and any other public figure or corporates, should not look far beyond their shoulders to engage good and patriotic hands to add greater value to them.
One person on my mind is Mr Ganiyu Obaaro.
Gani, as he is fondly called by his peers and colleagues, is a quintessential journalist.
He is imbued with strong academic, administrative leadership and professional standing, as a journalist.
For close to 30 years, after taking up the pen profession, he has won for himself, his family and the National laurels that remain practical testimonies of his professional ability and competence.
Indeed, Gani, who had held highly demanding and sensitive positions as a Business Editor in different media houses, as well as being a current Board Member of a reputable media, has begun leaving imprints on the sands of time.
For example, he won the Nigerian Media Merit Award, NMMA; best staff on several occasions and made credible showings at Cadbury Media and DAME Awards.
Armed with good leadership in his secondary school days, he emerged as the best-graduating student in his class.
He later attended several institutions, including Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Jos.
Having served his NYSC in Jos, Plateau State, he had a stint in the Federal Civil Service before joining the media profession.
Today, he is a household name, and a well-rounded personality, who distinguished himself in PMNews, Punch, Daily Times, and NewsStar, among other media houses he had worked.
A workaholic, his cool, calm disposition are rare attributes, so difficult to find among people with such competence and brilliance.
He cherishes work. And he does it with so much passion, glee and commitment as a university professor does!
Very active industry player and his friends cut across the country in journalism and other professions.
As a reporter, he has covered Tinubu Administration in Alausa, Ikeja, including distinguished reportage on the then First Lady of Lagos, Her Excellency, Oluremi Tinubu, now, Nigeria’s First Lady.
Gani was one of those who covered Mrs Tinubu’s New Era Foundation, a pet project that gave young, brilliant Lagosians opportunities to excel and advance their educational career.
To the First Lady, the programme, which still operates today in the state, remains a landmark in the development of the nation.
One incident that is worth recalling was when Tinubu, as the governor, had a confrontation with Lagos State Students at the Onikan Stadium over various demands.
The occasion was organised to honour Chief Anthony Enahoro, a nationalist, on his return from exile.
Governor Tinubu, who was ambushed as he made an effort to enter the stadium where the likes of Pa Abraham Adesanya, and Chief Oku Falae were sited and eagerly awaiting him, was very calm.
And just as his security aides were prepared to disperse the angry students, he, Tinubu, told them not to shoot anyone.
Under the military, lives would have been lost.
But not so for this distinguished democrat who, although, was provoked, never allowed violence to rule the day, before he was sandwiched and led by the elders and security operatives into the stadium.
There were many other distinguished reports done by Gani. So numerous that they need more recalling here.
What cannot be denied is that he remains grounded, and could serve as a useful hand in this government.
A family and widely travelled man, Gani’s relationships with his colleagues are laced with respect, honour and love.
