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“Kinds of Kindness by Youges Lanthinos provides a very beautiful satire for the SYNONYM -“Kinds of Governance” in the African and especially the Nigerian governance space.”
Consider these two perspectives:
Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, was a man of many words but few actions. He was known for his grandiose promises and elaborate speeches, but when it came to delivering on those promises, he fell short. The people of Kogi State were left to suffer in poverty and despair, as their governor prioritized his interests over theirs. In contrast, Engr. Emmanuel Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi State, was a man of action. He was not one for fancy speeches or empty promises. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work, addressing the needs of his people and improving the state’s infrastructure. Under his leadership, Ebonyi State flourished, becoming a model of good governance for the rest of Nigeria. As the years went by, the contrast between the two states became more and more apparent. Kogi State, under the leadership of Alhaji
Yahaya Bello, remained mired in poverty and corruption, while Ebonyi State, under the leadership of Engr. Emmanuel Umahi, continued to thrive. The people of Kogi State, desperate for change, began to look longingly at their neighbors to the east. They saw the progress and prosperity that Engr. Emmanuel Umahi had brought to Ebonyi State, and they wondered why their governor could not do the same. Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his part, seemed oblivious to the suffering of his people. He continued to make empty promises and grandiose statements, while the people of Kogi State continued to suffer. In the end, the people of Kogi State realized that they deserved better. They deserved a leader who would put their needs above his own, a leader who would work tirelessly to improve their lives and their state. And so, they looked to Ebonyi State and the leadership of Engr. Emmanuel Umahi, for inspiration. The satire of this situation is clear: good governance is possible, but it requires leaders who are willing to put in the hard work and dedication necessary to make it a reality.
Alhaji Yahaya Bello, with his empty promises and self-serving ways, is a prime example of what not to do. Meanwhile, Engr. Emmanuel Umahi, with his action-oriented approach and dedication to the people he serves, is a shining example of what good governance can look like. In the end, the people of Kogi State learned a valuable lesson: that true kindness, and true leadership, come from action, not just words. And they vowed to demand better from their leaders in the future, inspired by the example set by Engr. Emmanuel Umahi in Ebonyi State.
In the chaotic comedy of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello assumes the role of a bumbling protagonist, stumbling through his tenure with all the grace of a bull in a china shop. His governance playbook seems to consist of little more than whims and caprices, as he navigates the affairs of the state with a haphazard approach that leaves citizens scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Bello’s reign is a symphony of mismanagement, where basic services are treated as optional luxuries, and accountability is but a distant dream. Roads resemble obstacle courses, healthcare facilities are woefully inadequate, and educational institutions languish in neglect. Meanwhile, corruption runs rampant, with public funds disappearing into the pockets of cronies faster than a magician’s sleight of hand.
In this theater of the absurd, governance becomes a farce, with Alhaji Yahaya Bello playing the role of the clueless protagonist, unaware of the havoc he wreaks upon the lives of his constituents. His administration’s legacy is one of incompetence and indifference, leaving Kogi State languishing in the shadows of progress.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, in the tranquil setting of Ebonyi State, Engr. Emmanuel Umahi emerges as a beacon of governance excellence. With a steady hand and a clear vision, he leads his state on a path of prosperity and development, transforming its landscape with each thoughtful decision.
Umahi’s tenure is marked by a commitment to the people, where their welfare takes precedence above all else. Infrastructure projects spring to life like blooms in a garden, as roads are paved, hospitals are upgraded, and schools are equipped with the tools needed to nurture young minds. Transparency and accountability become the pillars of his administration, with every action guided by the principle of serving the common good.
In Ebonyi State, governance is not a comedy of errors but a triumph of leadership, with Engr. Emmanuel Umahi at the helm, steering the ship of state toward brighter horizons. His legacy is one of progress and prosperity, as Ebonyi emerges from the shadows to take its place among the vanguard of Nigerian states.
As the curtains fall on this tale of two governors, the audience is left to ponder the stark contrast between governance failure and success. In the grand theater of Nigerian politics, where power is wielded like a double-edged sword, the choices made by leaders can either elevate their people to greatness or consign them to the depths of despair. And in the end, it is the people who must endure the consequences of those choices, whether they be comedic or triumphant.
But I tell you, from whichever perspective, Kogi will rise again!
