Saturday, September 2, 2017 will remain a memorable day in my life. This is because although I have been communicating on phone and WhatsApp with Alhaji Muhammed Musa Maikaya (Ciroman Toto), on that eventful day, we finally met in his home town, Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

As one of the pioneer founders of a group named ‘Nigeria President 2019 Below 50’, I have been an advocate of young people contesting political positions - from councillors to the president of the country – especially as we approach another political era, come 2018/2019.

I set out for Toto Local Government of Nasarawa State via Gwagwalada to Abaji, and from Abaji to Toto: a journey of less than 20 minutes drive. On getting to Toto LGA, what I saw was a handsome man in suit and kaftan, and the inscriptions – Nasarawa 2019 and Maikaya 2019 – on various posters printed by different support groups.

Immediately I alighted from the car I boarded from Abaji, I asked the motorcycle to take me, pointing to the poster behind him. In less than five minutes, I was at the magnificent but simple house of Musa Maikaya.

I put a call to my reporter in Nasarawa; Yahaya Idris, to inform him of my presence in Toto LGA, I was well accommodated by him and the younger brother to Maikaya, popularly known as SS. In a matter of minutes, the whole compound of the Ciroman Toto was filled up with supporters, mainly youths and women with motorbikes and posters chanting the praises of Maikaya.

I joined the convoy to welcome the Ciroman Toto, Alhaji Muhammed Musa Maikaya, into town for the Sallah celebration.

I recognised him immediately I saw him: very simple and handsome man. My reporter introduced me to him as Mr Kenny, Publisher of Swift Reporters. I saw that happiness in him. “I am sorry for not making the burial of your father” was the statement that came from him.

We were joined by other convoy already waiting for him, and we proceeded to the Toto Chief’s Palace, where he received the royal blessings of HRH, Ohinoyi Muhammed Umar Azaki before moving to his ward chairman’s residence. He received another blessing of Alhaji Abdullahi Bala-Kano.

As we proceeded, I saw more people, mainly youths and women, trooping out to celebrate with their son, the Ciroman Toto, Musa Maikaya.

He was so free with them that he had to wind down his jeep’s windows to greet his teeming supporters. I had to pass a message across to him to be careful with his belongings in the jeep, as people were climbing into the jeep to shake him. He never bordered as what was in his mind is: ‘They are my people, I need to mingle with them. On getting to his house, which was already filled up with teeming supporters, he had to address the supporters who were chanting “Maikaya Straight to Government House, Lafia!”

He made sure everybody that came to the house ate and drank to their satisfaction. He is reportedly used to that, even before his people called on him to take the mantle of leadership of Nasarawa State in 2019. I counted up to 13 different groups that came to pay homage and show solidarity with him.

The visit to his home town gave me the opportunity to meet the director-general of his campaign organisation, Alhaji Ibrahim Sabo. We have been communicating on phone as well, and I have missed two appointments with him in Lafia, which were caused by me. Sabo, from the way people speak about him, shows that he will surely deliver the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Maikaya, and ensure that he becomes the next governor of Nasarawa State, based on his antecedents in Nasarawa State politics.

For those who don’t know Maikaya, he was born on March 2, 1972. With over 20 years of working experience, he holds a BSc in geology and mining from the University of Jos, Plateau State and, thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Port Hacourt, Rivers State, to obtain a PGD in geology, 2007.

He is a Member of Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Project Management Institute (PMI).

Among leadership training and workshops he has attended are Creative Leadership, Accra Ghana; Achieving Leadership Excellence, Dubai, UAE; CRESTCOM Bullet-proof Leadership Series, Accra, Ghana; Petroleum Risk and Decision Analysis, London, U.K; Lean Thinking For World-class Performance (perform more with less) Gas Monetisation, Abuja; Oil And Gas Exploration Workshops in Brazil, USA, UK.

As a visionary young man whose quest for advancement in life is immeasurable, Maikaya has held sway as president of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society from 2010 to 2014; where he displayed a high level of managerial wisdom to turn around the fortunes of the cooperative and its members. His matchless record of achievements during his stint speaks volumes of what he has to offer when given a larger responsibility.

•Adewole is publisher of Abuja-based Swift Reporters.He can be reached via kennyadewole@gmail.com, 08054328498

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