THISDAYonline

The story of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, the surgeon turned politician, in his quest to stand out, court attention and heal the wounds of the nation can only be compared to that of the wasp and the prince. Wasp named Pini Tail was long in quest of some deal that would make him forever famous. So one day he entered the king's palace and stung the little Prince, who was in bed. The Prince awoke with loud cries. The king and his courtiers rushed in to see what had happened. The Prince was yelling as the wasp stung him again and again. The courtiers tried to catch the wasp, and each in turn was stung. The whole royal household rushed in, the news soon spread, and people flocked to the palace. The city was in an uproar, all businesses suspended. Said the wasp to itself, before it resigned from its efforts, 'A name without fame is like fire without flame. There is nothing like attracting notice at any cost'.

Seven years ago, the name Chimaroke Nnamani was unheard of at least in the political circle, today it is unarguably one of the most reported politicians in this present dispensation. Reasons are not far fetched. He came into the political fray as an underdog and his target was to effect a needed change in his State and that honour was done him by his people when he was massively voted in the1999 general elections and in the last four and half years, he has excelled beyond imagination, attracting investment, worth over N200 billion into the State.

Secondly, he introduced politics of courage in defiance to indeciduous norms where some deified personalities or godfathers decide the fate of men and state.

But most importantly, he introduced politics of intellect as an act of governance. Of all his excursions and acclaimed victories, this is one dimension that aroused my curiosity, given the zeal and vigour with which Dr. Nnamani had tranversed the nooks and crannies of the country in imparting to the people what he thought are the alchemy to the nation ills but which the politicians and elites have deliberately subterfuged in furtherance to achieving their selfish exigencies.

As a practising journalist of over two decades, I have come across men in power and I have had the privilege of interacting with them, at least on professional ground, but none has given me a reason to believe that there is indeed a glitter of hope, that the emerging generation of leaders could hold fort for the rapidly eclipsing old order than Nnamani did through his lecture series.

When the news filtered in that Nnamani was to visit Sokoto in September, to deliver a lecture at the Uthman Dan Fodio University, my excitement knew no bound and I was determined to be a part of that epoch-making history.

Sokoto is the home of the Caliphate, and a highly religious city and headquarters of the Islamic community in Nigeria. It became more interesting considering the fact that an issue like the National Conference, a topic considered sacrilegious in the North, a topic which many statesmen are afraid to touch with a long pole, a topic which the rest of the country knew how passionate and dear it is to the Northern Power Oligarchs, was chosen to be delivered in no other place than Sokoto.

But that reality seemed not to have bothered the governor less as I watched him descend the stairs of his Jet at tarmac of the Sokoto Airport which was literally filled to the brim by enthusiastic crowd comprising government officials, students and lecturers.

So, on alighting from the jet, the Governor, was sighted descending and dressed in a simple designed white brocade caftan with a matching black shoe; no cap, no walking stick or horse tail, nothing except the basics. I was really disappointed at his appearance so simplistic, I had expected a crisp flowing Agbada, to compliment the ceremony.

Secondly, I also took note that the Governor flew in with just about six or seven aides aboard the flight, when actually I had expected a large entourage commensurate with his position and a privilege which most of his colleagues will not let go. I had thought that in politics, the more the merrier, but I was later to learn that, Dr. Nnamani prides himself more with real professionals and intellectuals.

Observation number three: His Excellency, the Enugu State Governor, rode in his official Pegeout 504 Saloon car, which, by my estimation, had seen years while some members of his entourage were spotted with similar brand of car which are relatively newer than this. When I enquired, I was told that the Governor is not a car-frick and as a chief executive of a State, has not more than three cars as his official cars.

Determined not to lose out in transit, I managed to find a space at the rear of a long convoy made up of jubilant admirers, all the way to the Presidential Guest House in the heart of the city.

Few minutes afterwards, Nnamani was on his way to Kebbi to pay homage to the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo, long time friend and also to register his condolence to the Emir over the death of his friend, the Atta of Igala. It was at the Palace that Major Jokolo opened up on his affection for the Governor.

He told a story of how he visited Enugu State in the days of the military and how his little-known friend who was still residing in United States offered him every convenience he needed, including car services and accommodation while in Enugu, even from far away U.S.

The Emir unknowingly exposed another important nature of the Governor. Unlike most public servants, the urge to acquire titles was absolutely not in him since he has shunned every overture by several 'Highnesses' to crown him with one title or the other.

Having known the Emir so well, he hardly makes frivolous and reckless statements but I was awed when the royal father threw caution to the wind by saying that should Dr. Nnamani nurse any Presidential dream, that he would not mind being his campaign chief. There, I began to put one plus one, what is the covert motive of this visit to Sokoto and Kebbi; was the Governor actually watering the ground for eventual political exploit or was it purely an intellectual exercise as he claimed? I hate being used, especially by politicians. In as much as I admire the courage and humility of this young man, I definitely wouldn't mind, if indeed I am been co-opted into his political campaign team without being told.

Back to Sokoto, a day after, at the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Mohamadu Maccido, it was a celebration of excellence, intelligence and courage. The Sultan had poured encomium on the governor for his exemplary leadership role and his literary forays which he said were phenomenal. Not even in the days of the nationalist movement, days when the likes of Zik, Awo and Ahmadu Bello had held sway, have the nation produced a bundle of talents encapsulated in one entity.

These men of old were notable statesmen and orators, but for Nnamani, he has gone a step further carving a niche for himself as the most reported, traveled,and cerebral statesman of all times.

As was the case in other visit, so it was at the home of ex-President Shehu Shagari who poured encomium on the visiting governor and extolled his leadership qualities and rare exemplary intellectual contribution towards healing the societal ills even while he called on the political class to heed the lone voice in the wilderness.

Alhaji Bello, a Journalist write in from Kano.