​MM; Appreciating An Achiever Per Excellence @ 54

By Abdulrahman Abdullahi

Humanitarianism is a spirit that everybody likes to be its beneficiary but only few, who are well-to-do in the society, are spirited to bequeath it on people. Indeed, you, Hon. Mashood Mustapha, are one of the those whose pleasures lie on seeing the masses smile. 

I wrote this  for two reasons: one to thank you for being an epitome of human capacity and infrastructural development. That I respect and admire so much in you. It’s obviously worth mentorship. However, it’s not an overstatement that your zeal towards a more industrialized Kwara is very evident in Kwara. 

As a Sarakite who doesn’t only believe in Saraki philosophy but also toe the lines on his leader, the Distinguished Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on philanthropic and humanitarian services, you were never distracted by the side-talks of the sadists, rather, you intensified more efforts in easing the needy. This, unarguably, is a factor that portrays you a fantastic role model for all those seeking to understand how to make an impact in the lives of the downtrodden. 

You have proven yourself to be a politician of high ethics and morality through your kindheartedness, at the same time through your human capacity development and empowerment strides to your constituents while representing the good people of Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency at the green chamber of the 7th National Assembly Abuja. Of course, hundreds of young graduates from your constituency were placed into federal services ranging from NNPC, NESREA, SON, NIMASA and many others, hundreds benefitted from your educational supports, local and abroad scholarship and thousands of your constituents got business capital supports. Your doors were never shut for anybody. In fact the widows and aged people made your house theirs then and went home on a daily basis with money and food stuffs. 

The aforementioned achievements of yours, obviously excluded many federal projects you facilitated, ranging from roads, irrigation projects, primary health care projects, water projects, electricity projects, ICT Centre and many others to mention. Another beautiful habit of yours is championing political dividends for your political associates through various political appointments. Your former Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abosioyoyan’s appointment yesterday as the Special Assistant to Governor Ahmed of Kwara state on Commerce and Cooperative yesterday, 10th March, 2017, is an attestation to this prove. Very many politicians of this era lack such attribute. Your constituents might have not got all they expected from you then, but, in truth, your activities and dispositions gave them a taste of what is referred to as “better representation”. Hence your vindication! 

The second reason why I wrote this, is to wish you a happy birthday as today marks not only the beginning of another 365 days in your life but also four years and three weeks that I joined your team. I pray that the joy of today would not be once upon a time in your life but an opening path for better things to come, Amin.