By joshua 
Bashiru Abubakar Gegu – The ‘New Kid on the Block’ Turning Kogi’s Solid Minerals, Politics into Hope
By Abu Micheal
Engr. Bashiru Abubakar Gegu is the Kogi State Commissioner For Solid Minerals and Natural Resources. He is a household name in the politics of the people, mostly the downtrodden masses.
He was able to make a name for himself by reason of his style of politics that makes him touch lives positively.
A grassroots politician to the core, he is said not to have boundaries when dealing with the people. He associates with the high and the lowly, come to terms with all he comes across.
The people seems to have fallen in love with his style as friends, political associates call him a new kid on the block.
The 46 years Engr. Bashiru is a Chemical Engineer, has grown from grassroots activist to commissioner, he’s known for his hands‑on approach to community development.
He is widely known to empowering locals through skills‑acquisition (mining, quarrying, craftsmanship). He has also granted schemes for women, scholarships, clean‑water projects, rural electrification.
As Commissioner he is widely known promoting sustainable mining, reforestation, and eco‑friendly practices.
With personality traits as an empathetic listener, frequently visits mining communities, listens to grievances, and follow up with solutions.
Reputed for his servant‑Leadership, Engr. Bash as he is fondly called prioritises job creation, healthcare, infrastructure, and education for Kogi residents.
With boundary‑less approach, Engr. Bash is a grassroots politician quoted saying he has “no boundaries when dealing with the people.”
His humility and generosity, compassion and lover of peace and unity, is an advocate for the media and journalists to expose illegal mining, shape policy, and drive value‑addition in the sector.
For many who know Engr. Bash, he is very resilient and loyal, committed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s agenda and the APC’s 2027 goals. He was amongst the first to endorse Gov. Ododo and the President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In the words of some Community Leaders, Mall. Nuhu Muhammed (Ward Chairman, Chikara North) praised his “instant response” – cash for toilets, streetlights, mosque construction, wheelchairs for paralyzed residents.
Recently, the APC Youth Wing Honoured Engr. Bashiru with an Outstanding Humanitarian Award for community service and youth empowerment.
Engr. Bashiru was dubbed “Commissioner of the Year” by Advocacy for Youth Leadership in Governance, highlighting his “dexterity” and “guile” in steering the Ministry.
As Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Engr. Bashiru’s key initiatives and impact include skills and Training Centers, Equipping artisans and youths with mining‑related trades.
His environmental Stewardship include Reforestation, waste management, eco‑friendly tech in mining zones.
In terms of Infrastructure and Welfare, Engr Bashiru is credited with Building toilets, streetlights, mosques; providing cash grants, wheelchairs, and scholarships.
His Political Strategy, has worked to bring defectors into APC, in Kogi LGA, positioning the party for 2027 elections as the only existing in the area.
Depending on the divide you stand, Engr. Bashiru Abubakar Gegu is being portrayed by many as a “new kid on the block” who blends youthful energy with seasoned governance, aiming to turn Kogi’s abundant solid Minerals into tangible development for its people. His blend of empathy, activism, and policy drive is what friends, associates, and community members repeatedly highlight as his signature style, making politics attractive and rewarding. For people in Kogi LGA, he is an unusual politician, first of its kind since the debut of the fourth Republic in 1999.