The 37 year old Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Governor Yahaya Bello, is an embodiment of wisdom and a core crusader of true federalism and without missing words, Asuku is a politician with a baptized ideology different from the circular believe and norms of politicking in Nigeria.
You have heard people say there is no one without a yesterday, some say there is no one without a humble beginning, and I agree with them to a large extent. When some archival images flooded the media months ago, showing Asuku in days of what many would classified as ‘humble beginning’ many did not know that there is a tale attached to it that could interest any open minded individual to be inspired and keep going.
Asuku has been able to remodified stewardship, and service to humanity through his numerous humanitarian services and his dedication to duties. When Pharmacist Asuku met His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello for the first time in 2011, he was only 27 years old and a fresh first class Pharmacist graduate from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Of course, we all know what a big deal it is for someone to have a first class in such a demanding discipline and institution such as ABU.
Upon his graduation, Asuku secured a temporary employment with H-Medix as the fist Pharmacist attendant to work with the establishment when they started off officially at Wuse Zone ll in 2011.
On this faithful or destined day in 2011, while attending to customers as young Asuku would always do whenever on duty, Governor Yahaya Bello, then Alhaji Yahaya Bello popular known as ‘Fair-Plus’ walked into the store and Asuku was the one to attend to him; as a young, vibrant, zealous, and dedicated pharmacist, Asuku attended to ‘Fair-Plus’ in a manner different from his previous experiences with Pharmacist. He was marvelled, and this experience led to a further conversation between the two.
Fair-Plus (GYB) became interested in Asuku’s personal life and began to ask questions such as: if he knows him, and where he is from. Also due to the manner at which he attended to him, he was compelled to ask if he is the owner of H-MEDIX. But to Alhaji Bello’s amazement, Asuku did not know him but has only heard of the nickname ‘Fair-Plus’ as a popular rich businessman from Okene and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had to introduce himself as the Fair-Plus he has been hearing about. Asuku had his doubt judging by the outlook of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as was dressed in a short and t-shirt.
Not until Asuku accompanied Alhaji Yahaya Bello to his car and confirmed that truly only a ‘Fair-Plus’ could be driving a 30 million naira BMW 7series as at 2011. So in his mind he echoed repeatedly, ‘This is the Fair-Plus.’
Asuku humorously defused Alhaji Bello’s assumption of him owning H-MEDIX and made it clear he was only the Pharmacist in charge. “You are good, hardworking, and passionate about this job. Why not open a business of your own?” these were the exact words of Bello to Asuku. And the duo were at the verge of starting a business together before the latter secured an employment and would have to move to Akwa-Ibom. Asuku immediately notified Alhaji Yahaya Bello about the development, and the need for him to travel out of Abuja. Yahaya Bello being a progressive, gave his blessings and urged him to go pursue his career.
Asuku arrived Akwa-Ibom, got established, and expanded productively, but above all safeguarded the relationship already established with Alhaji Yahaya Bello. The relationship flourished to the extent that Asuku was the one controlling Alhaji Bello’s drug prescriptions all the way from Akwa-Ibom. Trust grew, bond kept on increasing, and it became even unbroken.
Prior to 2015 general elections, Alhaji Yahaya Bello declared his intentions to run for Governor of Kogi State, and Asuku keyed into this project and made it his own. He would fly in from Akwa-Ibom to Abuja on a regular basis to keep abreast of happenings around the campaign, and even set up his own campaign organization in support of Alhaji Yahaya Bello all expenses from his pocket. Never for once did he requested for any form of finance from Alhaji Yahaya Bello to run his activities. He never knew that Fair-Plus was taking note of everything that he was doing, but without a word.
Let us fast forward to Alhaji Yahaya Bello becoming Governor Yahaya Bello to make the story shorter and to save you from reading too many texts. Upon winning the election in 2016, Governor Yahaya Bello called on Asuku and asked specifically what he wanted in his administration. “Unlike others who will demand even accommodation fees from me you have never asked for a dime, and yet you delivered” The Governor said.
Moving forward, I will deliberately skip some aspects where certain positions where offered to Asuku but was later changed due to the fact that the Governor demanded that he wants a position whereby, Asuku will be the first and last person he will see every blessed day throughout his tenure. This led to Asuku’s appointment as the Director General, Protocol to the Governor at age 32. Who does that? A 32 year old man becoming the DG Protocol to a seating Governor in Nigeria?
As if this was not enough, in 2020 Asuku was elevated to the position of the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello at age 36. He thus becomes the youngest Chief of Staff to a seating Governor in the whole country, and upon his assumption of office as the Chief of Staff he has been contributing immensely to the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello; as he has been able to redefined essence of youth involvement in governance.
Now, as a Comrade, I have heard rumors about Asuku having a Gubernatorial ambition: some says how dare him! Some says on what ground. And some are even saying he can not get there. Well since man is not God, who are we to question His will?
Ever since his assumption of duty as Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, peace and normalcy has returned to the state, and cold war between political camps has diminished to the minimum. We can then say, “he is youthful and representing well”
I will stop here for now for you to ponder on this narrative and maybe you could get inspired and even remodify your approach to stewardship at your current level. Also, the talks about Asuku’s gubernatorial ambition will hopefully be a rant for another day.
Hon. Amodu Ibikunle Abubakar (Prime)
SSA Youth Empowerment (West)