By Patrick Ngwaogu

The Bible says of the infant Jesus, unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government will be upon his shoulder (Isaiah 9:6)

Ahead of the November 2 governorship election in Kogi State, indeed, unto us a son was born and today, a leader is given to the people of Kogi State.

A leader who has distinguished himself in various spheres of life and human management. An astute administrator, humane and humble; a humanitarian with undiminished love for humanity in our society.

He is one of the few sons of Ayegba with national and international recognition . He is a full blooded Igala son.

A son of pioneer Igala legal practitioner and a philanthropist, Late Barrister Umoru Abdullahi Ataguba from Unana Attah clan, Idah LGA, Kogi state.

He shares blood affinity with notable Igala icons like Late Chief Ben Alewo and Isah Atodo aka Isah Liberty.

A quantity Surveyor by profession from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria( ABU) and a fellow of many professional organisations both home and abroad.

He attended his primary and secondary schools in Idah, Kaduna and Warri respectively before he proceeded to ABU Zaria for his degree programme .

He has worked in different Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

A former Director of Sports Federal Capital Developmemt Authority, FCDA from 2003 to 2006 where he initiated and excited several laudable projects and programmes that are currently relevant in the council

With an unquenchable passion for football, he stepped up his responsibility taking up the mantle of leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF in 2006. He served the federation for four years and under his leadership, Nigeria hosted her last FIFA World Cup competition, the U-20 World Cup in 2009.

He is a football ace whose love for the king of sports is second to none. This indeed paved way for him to emerged the President of the NFF against all odds 13 years ago.

This position was the catalyst for him, to national and international connections that made him traveled across the continent and globally.

Via these football voyages, he met with multifaceted world leaders both in governments, football sector and other sports with whom he learnt more about administration that has to do with managing the NFF judiciously, its staff and off course, humanity.

He was able to change the existing dubious domains of the NFF for laudable achievements (winning trophies, robust staff welfare, deserved players welfare, prompt payment of salaries to both permanent and contract staff, robust logistics and what have you).

A philanthropist whose hand of fellowship in the area of scholarships, job creation and employment has touched the lives of many in Kogi and beyond. To mention but a few;
He is the owner of FOSLA FOOTBALL ACADEMY where a lot of children had acquired football skills and in his generosity many of these children are now playing in different continents of the world.

He has given a lot of scholarships to our people to study in various citadel of learning across Nigerian schools and beyond. Quite some numbers of these beneficiaries are attesting to this fact.

He is intellectually vibrant, a seasoned philanthropist, an administrator, incomparable politician, a listener, a lover of rule of law, development maniac and off course, a magnanimous leader.

Given time and space constraints, I may have to pause here on his antecedents, as we were made to understand that “actions speaks louder than voice” His actions will definitely define him more!

On this note, I would like to present to you a good-natured, non recalcitrant, consequential, accessible, deserved administrator and of course an astute developer ; CHIEF DR SANI LULU ABDULLAHI to be our next GOVERNOR of Kogi State for quality governance and quality development in all spheres of our life…