Today, July 29, abu IMAM popularly known as Mayor, was crowned as Onizeiza (Ebira word for Honest Person or Truth Bearer or Hausa word for Dan Amana) of Ebira, by the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Alhaji Dr. Ado Abdulrahman Ibrahim, in his palatial palace, Okene, Kogi State.
The turbanning of abu IMAM as Truth Bearer, brings to mind, a popular saying that one would reap whatever one sows. If you sow evil, be rest assured that evil is what you will reap no matter how long it takes. The good thing about sowing and reaping is the length of time; days, months and even years it would take to manifest in tandem with what has been put forth.
A philosopher, a mother and author of Amazon’s top 100 best sellers, J. B McGee, put it this way: “Cultivate your craft. Water it daily, pour some tender loving care into it, and watch it grow. Remember that a plant doesn’t sprout immediately. Be patient, and know that in life, you will reap what you sow” This is even as Germany Kent says: “Keep expecting and believing that your due is coming. Declare that the good you have harvested in your life will manifest.”
Talking about truth, trust and honesty upon which abu IMAM (Mayor) was being crowned, brings home succinctly, the saying in the Christendom that truth shall set one free. It’s also a justification of the saying by Daniel Webster, the 14th and 19th U.S Secretary of State under Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and Millard Fillmore, in his speech that “there is nothing so powerful as truth – and often, nothing so strange (like it).”
Human beings know the beauty of truth but ironically, keep it at arm’s length because of the “damages” it can cause the untruth.
However, abu IMAM had long chose to thread on this delicate part of life, moulded through the family he found himself in, and beyond that, through the path Allah had chosen for him.
Of course, there could be temptations as he journeyed through life, to deviate from this difficult path, but he decided to doggedly cling to it, whatever it would amount to.
And, like a clearing dew in the dark sky, his aversion to truth and honesty have come into the open, recognized and being celebrated by no other than the community into which he was born and sprang up, through no other personality than the first class traditional ruler and acting chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council; the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Dr. Ado Abdulrahman Ibrahim (CON).
This is coming to him while he’s still alive, long after choosing the right but difficult path of being averse to, and being in love with truth: the truth that has not just set him free from the yolk of dangerous innuendos of humanity, but has been recorded and being reworded, with the traditional title of Onizeiza (Truth Bearer – Dan Amana) of Ebira.
And who is abu IMAM?
Alhaji Abubakar Imam, abu IMAM, as he preferred to be addressed, was born in the early 1970’s, in Okene, Kogi State, to the family of Sheikh Imam Yahaya Tajudeen of blessed memory, the official appointed Chief IMAM of Ebiraland. His birth heralded the end of the Nigerian civil war on the12th January 1970. He can, therefore, rightly be described as a harbinger of peace.
As a matter of fact, abu IMAM comes from a religious background where the fear of Allah was instilled in him. His grandfather, Sheikh Imam Yahaya Tajudeen, the first Chief Imam of Ebiraland, his father, Imam Abdulrahim Yahaya Tajudeen, along with his brother, Alhaji Jimoh Abdulrahim, the Wali of Ebiraland, who are all now late – (May Allah accept and grant their souls the highest place in paradise (Aljanah firdaus), are among those he looked up to on their legacies of selfless service to humanity and working towards being able to measure up to the standards they set.
abu IMAM was brought up to be honest, hardworking, and disciplined with integrity and service to humanity, which is the hallmark and legacy of his family who are notable Islamic scholars in Ebiraland and beyond.
He commenced his educational pursuit when he attended the Native Authority Primary school (NA) from 1976 – 1982, before enrolling into Abdul Azeez Atta Memorial college for his primary and secondary school education between 1982 – 1987 both in Okene, Kogi state.
Upon obtaining his first bachelor’s degree in economics from the prestigious Bayero University in Kano (between 1992 – 1998), Alhaji Abubakar Imam proceeded to bag his Master’s Degree in Political Economy and Social Development from the University of Abuja.
The young abu IMAM began his independent career pursuit at LAKESIDE ESTATE COMPANY LIMITED with his brother Alhaji Zakariyau Saka Abdulrahim, one time Director for Lands Administration in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Where he underwent the compulsory one year National Youth Service Corps Scheme (NYSC).
Impressed by his diligence, effectiveness and efficiency, he was thereafter retained at Lakeside Estate Company Limited and employed as the firm’s Manager from the 1998 – 2002. It was at Lakeside Estate Company Limited that Alhaji Abubakar Imam picked interest and chose a career path in the Estate and Property Development sector, before taking the bold step to set up his own estate Company in Abuja, known as LEASIDE ESTATE & PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY. LTD, which he has diligently ran as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Alhaji Imam’s career is fueled by an insatiable curiosity to excel and a passion towards helping people to meet their property needs. He has and continues to make extraordinary contributions in the real estate and property development industry to the admiration of many.
The MAYOR, as his friends and business associates fondly call him, has mentored and encouraged many young people at every stage in their careers, motivating them to reach their highest potentials.
As Almighty Allah wills, he is blessed to be married to a beautiful and virtuous woman, Hajiya Saidat Obadaki Imam, and their union has been blessed with five bright and wonderful children, namely;
Imam Ali-assad
Imam Omar-sudais
Imam Othman-fawaz
Fatima-Nadia Iman and
Yasmin-Zainab Imam.
With the support of his lovely family, they have continued to uphold the dictates of Islam and continue to contribute to peace and community development.
It is not surprising therefore that he initiated and champions the Ebira Peace Project and the ProudlyAnebira Group for the unity, peace and development of Ebiraland in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
With his successful achievements both in business and personal life, along with his deep involvement in community development, the business icon and philanthropist has received several recognitions in appreciation of his human capital development and services to humanity.
To mention a few of the honours and awards, both local and international, held by Alhaji Abubakar Imam are;
Kwame Nkrumah leadership Award.
IPCR/UNDP Youth Award – 2007-2008
UNESCO peace Award as Ambassador of Peace.
National Association of Ebira Students Awards as a Mentor to the youths.
Youth Federation for World Peace – as Youth Ambassador for Peace
The pan African transparent leadership center awarded him the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah gold award for leadership, in recognition of his exemplary antecedents and transparent virtues.
Most Supportive Personality by Ebira Carnival Award.
Award for Meritorious Service in International Peace by Rotary Club, District 9130.
Ohueje Ohinoyi Ebira cultural heritage festival, awarded him as cultural ambassador for his contributions and commitment to the empowerment of women and youth towards the progress of Ebiraland.
Ebira community secondary school old students association awarded him the golden jubilee community development award for youth community development effort in Ebiraland.
He was Recognized as a youth ambassador for peace by the Universal Peace Federation and youth federation for world peace. Among others.
abu IMAM, in a nutshell, is one of Nigeria’s distinguished and established estate and property consultant, developer, manager and Agent. He is an illustrious son of Ebira, whose outstanding achievements represents nothing but excellence.
His trajectory in life is guided by the pursuit of truth, justice, fairness, right over might, and selflessness, portraying him oozing with abundant energy and driven by desire to help others to succeed and achieve the highest goals in their field of endeavours.
abu IMAM is, indeed, one of the few individuals that always stands for the truth no matter how it affects him. He finds deep pleasure in assisting others to make their lives more meaningful. He has inspired others to achieved greatness. His drive and passion are infectious and what he has been able to achieve through his contribution for the betterment of the society over the years cannot be covered in this short citation.
With such strength of character, courage and contributions to societal development which confirms him as worthy son of Ebira land, His Royal Majesty, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland did not find it difficult to confer on him “THE ONIZEIZA” ( Dan-Amana) Ebira on him.
On the whole, abu IMAM, the son of Imam Abdulrahim and the grand son of Sheikh IMAM Yahaya Tajudeen, being one of the most ebullient personality in the society, with great faith, loyalty, faithful and honest, now enters the TRUTH BEARER, which translates to mean, HONEST, TRUTHFULL and TRUSTWORTHY man in Ebira nation.
