Date: 2014-10-20

Penultimate Monday, 13th of October, 2014; Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem resigned his appointment as Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission in obedience to the clamour from many patriotic Kwarans that he should throw his hat into the ring and bring his years of experience to bear on the governance of our dear state. This indeed, is a laudable move by the erudite Professor of English and Linguistics. At the Kwara Restoration project, we are not given to praise singing and unnecessary adulation of politicians, however, in the case of Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem we make an exception and we implore other Kwarans to do the same.

The quality of the candidates in the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party is unassailable and for us at the Kwara Restoration Project, we consider Professor Oba's resignation an act of courage and a sign of optimism in the struggle to enthrone a new order in Kwara state. Rather than vilify him, let us celebrate this enigma of our time. Let us encourage him, and let us pray for him.

Because lest we forget, this erudite Professor had always put Kwara first and himself last; some of us remember his generosity and large heartedness since his days as a young lecturer in the early eighties at the Bayero University, Kano. Professor Oba never considered religion or creed, if you are from Kwara (which consisted of a significant chunk of the new Kogi state) his house is always open to you. His wife, Mama Ayo is equally a kind hearted person. I remember Mama Ayo (a nurse) treating students on loan or in some cases free of charge whenever anyone is down with fever or other ailments. Both husband and wife never knew they would someday end up in Ilorin in the course of their careers. The husband obviously ended up as the Vice Chancellor/Chief Executive of the better by far institution – the award winning University of Ilorin and the wife ended up as the Chief Matron of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. These are rewards for hardwork and selfless service to humanity.

I believe these same values are the driving force behind Professor Oba's quest to bring purposeful leadership to Kwara state.

I hasten to remind fellow Kwarans that the Kwara Restoration project is a friend to all opposition politicians in Kwara state and a foe to the establishment politicians; this article is not an endorsement of Professor Oba or any other PDP gubernatorial candidate. The Kwara Restoration Project believes that all the PDP gubernatorial candidate that have so far indicated their interest in governing Kwara are comparatively far better than Bukola Saraki and his regent in office - AbdulFatah Ahmed.

With candidates like Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem, Barrister Muhammad Dele Belgore (S.A.N), Business man Jani Ibrahim, and Engineer Sunday Babalola, Kwara will definitely experience better governance come 2015.

Dr. Abdullahi Imam Abdullahi writes from Ilorin