Maikasuwa dances to the rhythm of his soul at 64, By Sufuyan Ojeifo

Since he voluntarily bowed out of the service of the National Assembly as Clerk, the highest office in the bureaucracy of the federal legislature, seven years ago at age 57 and six months to his 35th year in public service, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, member of the national institute (mni) and Ciroman Keffi, has kept a characteristic low profile in retirement: no venture into politics; but he has shown significant interest in farming. He realized that the farming preoccupation has the potentialities of cementing the bond between him and his people. Farming is able to expand and deepen the platform of socio-cultural interactions. Such is the essential kindred spirit that Maikasuwa nurtures and exemplifies in the cosmos of his native Keffi source. In addition, he lectures on a part-time basis at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi. That provides an opportunity for utilitarian meetings of minds and exchange of ideas with students and associates in an academic environment.

Even when he was in the saddle as the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, from 2010 to 2015, Maikasuwa did not honcho the bureaucracy in the typical fashion of some crude autocrats who transmogrified into some transient bugaboos of sorts. Instead of misapplying his eon as CNA for intimidating and haranguing subordinates, he had deployed it in building a team spirit that underpinned the administrative wing of the federal legislature on his watch. He was thus, drawing from that context of leadership by association and accommodation, understandably described or referred to as the Team Leader. The entire National Assembly bureaucracy was forged into a family, a formidable team, which he tried his best possible to minister to within the circumscription of the service rules and available resources as approved by the Legislative wing and signed into law by the Executive arm of government.

Maikasuwa as CNA was able to manage available resources in alignment with the expectations and rightful dues of workers. There was no reason for workers’ protests or strikes. His era was a glorious one. His leadership style was quite inspirational. By his deportment as CNA, he was able to build loyalty, goodwill and social capital that transcended the National Assembly service. Indeed and whereas Maikasuwa’s nature was sedate, the totality of his mental faculty was fecund. This is writ-large in his very rich resume, which includes his participation in the elitist National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies at Kuru, near Jos in addition to holding a PhD in Public Administration.

Remarkably, he did not and still does not make airs about his academic accomplishments and attainments in the public service. Sampler: when he was turbaned as Ciroman Keffi, the event was done in a way that did not give the impression of a victor and the vanquished in the fierce race for the title. Even in the saddle as Ciroman, he has continued to perform the functions of the traditional office with equanimity. He has, by so doing, demystified the office and assisted associates and close watchers to appreciate that the worth of an office draws from the caliber, persona and charisma of the occupier.

Advertisement

Miakasuwa acquitted himself as a public officer/administrator par excellence. He left behind in the National Assembly a beautiful legacy of superintending and building a united management that worked as a team. That speaks volumes of his enviable pedigree. And as Plutarch once said: “It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.” This is a befitting tribute to Maikasuwa on his 64th birthday (March 4). This is wishing that the Almighty God will ccontinue to bless the life in Maikasuwa’s years as He has, thus far, blessed the years in his life. Happy birthday to the inimitable Ciroman Keffi.

▪︎ Ojeifo contributed this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com