By Adakole Agaba
In examining the leadership profile of Senator Patrick Abba Moro, the senator representing Benue Zone C Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character, two very important quotes are most appropriate. One is Nelson Mandela’s. The sage once said, “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership”.
The second is a world renowned billionaire, manger of men and resources, Bill Gate. He said “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others”. When you are looking for classics to draw inspiration from world leaders, these two men are perfect examples. What this means is that, when you see men act in the manner these great achievers prescribed, then you have found good and purposeful leaders among men. Without any prevarication, Senator Abba Moro perfectly fits into the above profound thoughts on leadership.
The career profile of Senator Moro rightly cast him as a good example of a leader of people; a sound manager of resources and a servant-leader. Indeed, the records speak for themselves and it goes forth to show that, it is pretty difficult to compare anyone else with Senator Moro among his generation in Idoma land, especially in any post-David Mark political leadership discourse in terms of zonal leadership and boost in Idoma nationality identity or image at Benue State, Federal and international levels.
This is evident in his career profile as a local government chairman, lecturer, renowned national union leader and activist, Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic and currently, Senator of the Federal Republic.
For instance, some Idoma students in several academic institutions in Benue State and beyond have testified to the fact, Moro has impacted their lives since he was a local government chairman. They have benefited from his scholarship schemes, moral and financial supports; in other words, he is not an emergency leader thrown up by some circumstances. He has for many decades established himself as a lover of people, philanthropist and a big role model to the youths of Idoma land in terms of consistent empowerment. It is on record that any day Moro is attending Idoma Students Day in any campus, it is usually a carnival-like event. He would come with huge entourage which includes students and friends of Idoma to support the students.
Many people in various local governments, from private investigations, have made open and bold declarations that their respective areas have benefited from social amenities and infrastructural development facilitated by Senator Moro. From Ado, Agatu, Apa, Ogbadibo, Okpokwu, Obi, Oju, Ohimini and Otukpo Local Governments, such testimonies abound. This is not, however, undermining the fact that a lot more needs to be done in order to fast track the development of the area in terms of increased federal and state government projects.
Senator has touched the local government areas in the entire zone with different developmental projects. It is a fact that there are few Idoma sons or daughters who have caught a nationalist figure in the hearts of their people comparable to the mold of the towering stature of Senator Moro in Idoma land.
Recall that when the former Distinguished Senate President David Aleichenu Mark was about leaving the Senate, there were palpable precipitations on the leadership succession at the Red Chamber. However, when the people cited Moro, they mounted pressure on him and they did not disappoint him. They voted for him in large numbers to emerge the unquestionable winner in 2019 Senatorial election, much to the relief of the people.
He remains the most consistent leader who has empowered and has continued to empower the youths and women with dozens of employment and job opportunities.
He has made what many have considered suicidal sacrifices for the people of Idoma land and beyond by offering his salaries and earnings to grant children and students scholarships at all levels; but for him, many youths today would have been out of school; people would have lost their loved ones hospitalized for terminal and curable diseases but had no money to pay medical bills.
A former president of the United States of America, Harry S. Truman, said something very striking. According to him, “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better”.
Senator Moro has been making such a history. He has worked so hard and contributed so much to the development of Idoma land and Nigeria that it is very difficult for any other person or competitor, especially in the current political schemes, to match his leadership clout and impactful services.
History is and will indeed be kind to Senator Moro for providing insightful leadership to his people. His emergence on the scene from the local, state and national level bears an impeachable streak of a restless hero who has stood for his people in times of crisis and peace.
He is a man who served and still serves the country and painstakingly bore the scar that genuine heroes bear for their people; the scars of false accusations for which the courts cleared and gave him deserved justice because he served Nigeria patriotically.
For the people of the zone, the choice and option in 2023 Senatorial District is not about who because they have with a resounding voice resolved that Senator Moro must still return to the Senate next year to continue to do what he has been doing for his people. It is amazing to see the level of undercurrent mass mobilization for Moro’s re-election. The question is not necessarily about party politics; it is the question of effective leadership; it is about a leader with proven record of quality service to the people; it is about a leadership model that makes the leader a demonstrably and practically a servant-leader.
Senator Moro’s style of representative leadership has changed the political mind set of the people of the area about who their leader should be without talking or dictating it. He leads by example and they are following him willing without being coerced, deceived or foolishly seduced.
As the 2023 General Elections draw closer, permutations and expectations are equally growing very high. The aftermath of the political parties’ primaries and subsequent emergence of candidates have provided clearer picture of the elections ahead; it thus leaves electorates with a choice to make at the poll when they go to elect those they want to lead them at different leadership levels. Of course, as far as the Senatorial election is concerned, the people have made up their minds – their choice is Senator Moro.
In the word of General Montgomery, “My own definition of leadership is this: The capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence”. This is what leadership is to Senator Moro. He has inspired and continues to inspire people of Benue Zone C, mobilizing them for a purposeful development, cultural, political, social and economic unity.
In concluding the above success story and exemplary leadership qualities of Senator Moro to his Senatorial District, a quote from Mr. Emmanuel Eche-Ofun John, an aide to the senator on New Media is very apt.
According to John, “The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Patrick Moro, is delivering on his campaign promises to his people. He’s actually doing much more than is expected of him as a legislator.
In less than three years and as a First Timer, Senator Moro has sponsored bills, moved motions and is making contributions on the floor of the Senate that stand him out as an effective and very vibrant Senator… Actually, nobody changes a winning team when the game has just begun and I believe the good people of Benue South are wise enough to put their best foot forward at this particular time for Senator Abba Moro”.
Adakole Agaba, Journalist, Media and Communications Expert, writes from Otukpo
