According to Abraham Lincoln, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
It was never a coincidence nor an error that made the great people of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency to have entrusted their mandate to you for an unblemished record of three consecutive times, a cumulative of 12 calendar years.
I see it as the proceeds of a humble servant leader that was found worthy both in character and in power with track records of unprecedented performance and unmatched records of stewardship.
Until you came on board to represent the good and loving people of our constituency, the roles and responsibilities of a legislator were perceived to be lawmaking and oversight functions only.
Many never believed that the bar of representation can be raised to an enviable height as you have practically, qualitatively and humbly manifested it, in the last 12 years of uninterrupted parliamentarian duties.
As one of your ardent followers and admirers who were privileged to be part of the glorious journey for more than a decade, I made bold to say that you indeed distinguished yourself by successfully sustaining and graciously fulfilling the social contract between the people of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.
Asides from being a legislator who sagaciously moved over 70 Motions and sponsored more than 10 people-focused and development-driven Bills, I still lost count in my assessment of your tremendous landmark achievements in virtually all the communities in our constituency.
You facilitated many verifiable developmental projects in Health, Power, Agriculture, Education, Road Infrastructures and a lot more, not just on paper but practically on the ground.
By the power of your office, you transformed the destinies of more than 300 (and by extension thousands) of your constituents with both Federal and State government employments.
Your countless moral and financial support toward your constituents and mankind are top-notch.
In all of these great achievements, It will forever be on record that at no time did you allow yourself to be intoxicated with the euphoria of your office, no record of harassment, intimidation or victimisation of your critics, not even at the height of open confrontation and provocation.
Like every other mortar, who are created not to be infallible, who by nature must have their shortcomings and who cannot satisfy everyone and all interest, there are surely some noticeable human deficiencies in certain areas.
However, your superlative performance, your qualitative representation and your positive impact toward your constituency and in the lives of thousands of your constituents evidently outweighed those areas in which some perceived you did not live to expectations.
As the 10th National Assembly wind down today, having been one of the longest-serving parliamentarians from Okun land and Kogi State, May it please God to bountifully reward your service of stewardship to your fatherland.
May posterity be kind to you and May the glory of the latter days be greater than the former.
You are indeed a worthy ambassador that performed more than just a parliamentarian.
…Tunde Arise Akanmidu (ADC Stalwart)
