By Mohammed Lawal
I have long believed that true leaders are forged through perseverance and not merely by birthright. Witnessing the transformative journey of Distinguished Senator Jibrin Isah has solidified this belief for me. He stands as a shining example of how resilience and dedication can shape extraordinary leaders. Senator Jibrin Isah, hailing from Dekina LGA within the Kogi Eastern senatorial district, epitomizes the essence of servant leadership.
The narrative of Senator Jibrin Isah’s humble origins in the Ajiolo farming community, to his instrumental role in advancing the development of Nigerian financial community, is truly worthy of celebration. His birth was even hailed as a significant event in his community, with prophetic insights into his future leadership. His remarkable tenure as a two-time Senator following a successful career in the upper echelons of the Nigerian banking sector have not only validated but also reinforced the belief.
My initial introduction to the name Jibrin Isah occurred during the 2003 election season, when my late father spoke highly of him as a beacon of hope for the Igala community. Coming from a political family, I recognized the significance of my father’s endorsement and understood that Senator Jibrin Isah’s aspirations for the governorship signaled a well-thought-out succession plan. Intrigued by this, I began to closely follow Senator Jibrin Isah’s journey, and I was not disappointed by what I discovered.
The subsequent years brought about a remarkable era for Kogi State, characterized by unparalleled service and development initiatives for the common citizen. Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho’s name became synonymous with opportunities for young Kogites to enter the Nigerian financial sector, earning Afribank the affectionate nickname “Kogi bank.”
One of the most impactful endeavors during this period was the 2007-2008 Special Scholarship Program, which aimed to support high-performing students from various secondary schools across the state. As the top science student at the prestigious Aleka Academy Ankpa, I was fortunate to be selected as one of the beneficiaries of this program, which was intended to fund our university education at selected institutions worldwide.
Despite the unfortunate halt of the scholarship scheme due to misappropriation by some administrators, I remain grateful for Senator Jibrin Isah’s gesture and eagerly anticipated the 2011 general elections with hopes of voting him into the governorship. However, this aspiration was thwarted by circumstances stemming from the safeguarding of newer interests, which clouded discussions about equitable representation for Kogites. Nonetheless, he continued his humanitarian efforts, albeit within the constraints of his individual sphere of influence.
Although I’ve never personally interacted with Distinguished Senator Jibrin Isah, I was overjoyed when the All Progressives Congress (APC) provided him with the opportunity to broaden his horizons and represent the people of Kogi East in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly. I was confident that doing only a single term in office, he would surpass the performance of any previous Senator from the region, despite the modesty with which he and his constituents spoke of his achievements.
For me, the standout moment thus far has been the recent student entrepreneurship support initiative, which empowered 20 aspiring entrepreneurs from Kogi East. This initiative epitomizes Senator Jibrin Isah’s commitment to fostering economic development and empowering the youth—a legacy that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our community.
As an unapologetic advocate for human development, I believe there has never been a more promising era to be a resident of Kogi East. That’s why I felt compelled to share the inspiring story of Distinguished Senator Jibrin Isah—the leader I have come to admire and respect. In celebrating Senator Jibrin Isah’s story, I hope to inspire others to embrace the spirit of service and contribute to the progress of our beloved Kogi region outside the scope of elected public offices. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for generations to come.