Greatest challenge was having to choose between Saraki, Buhari – Bolaji Abdullahi
On Monday, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, celebrated 50th years of existence. His life has no doubt been an inspiration particularly to youths given his meteoric rise despite odds and poverty at childhood, which did not, however, deter his determination to make mark in life. This much he dwells on in this interview with newsmen at the weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State. KAYODE ADEOTI was there.
50 years is a milestone in the life of a man, how has been the journey thus far?
I thank God and I will continue to do so, because I have every reason to be appreciative to Him. I usually tell people that I’m the 12th wonder of the world. There is nothing in my background that justifies where I am today. God has been extremely kind to me.
In your sojourn in life, what do you consider as the greatest challenge?
What you call challenges are those things that happened in the normal course of work. One of the most difficult things for me was the day I had to leave office as Minister. What was challenging in it was the circumstances that surrounded my leaving. I felt I was doing a good job, working and maintaining high dose of loyalty to the president. For the first time in 19years; Nigeria was African Champion in all athletics. But, suddenly I had to choose between someone I’ve always considered as a boss and friend against someone who appointed me as a minister; I wished I was not in that situation. It was difficult for me, but I had to go on the side of principle, which to me means loyalty. I come from a home where loyalty is everything. When you give your words, you must stand by it. My father use to tell me that when you say something and people will have to call you to swear to confirm what you’ve said, that you’re not a human being. People should believe your words because you are the one who said it. One must be dependable, reliable and ‘Omoluabi’, this is what I believe in. So, attacking someone I’ve always loved will not go well with my beliefs. It was a trying period for me, but I’ve no regrets whatsoever.
If you have to take such decision again, will you still follow that step?
Principles that are conditional are not principles. If your stand on something is conditioned, then you don’t believe in it. Principle comes with very expensive price tag. Principles are very costly, if you choose to stand for principle, you must be ready to pay the price. For me, what I stood for was not conditional and not relative; truth is truth today, tomorrow till next year. Truth is universal. It is the same.
What is 50 years of existence to you?
I served in public office for 16years as Special Adviser, Special Assistant, Commissioner, Federal Minister, I served at the party level and in a board, and in those years, there was no single instance that I was accused of corruption. For me, that is the most important. I’m not claiming to be a saint but for me in life, there are lines I’ve drawn for myself which I will never cross. That is the most important accomplishment, I can continue to be good example for children and those who believe in me. I’m not likely be able celebrate another 50 years, so, this one is a milestone. The reality that I won’t do another 50 years makes me think about legacy. By any definition, once you’re 50 years, you’re no longer a baby. I don’t think God has given life just for one to get a job, marry, get political appointment, make money, have children and so on, there is more to it. God did not create us for mundane purpose. I must have clear new about the essence of my existence, what I want to be remembered for. That is what 50 years means to me.
Since you left office as All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson, what have you been doing and what is next for you politically?
I’ve been doing more of traveling, writing, reading, like I do in the past. I have time for myself to do many things and I do a bit of consultancy. God has given me opportunity to have an extensive experience in a work life spanning about 25 years. I have rich diverse experience ranging from state level to federal. To me, that’s good because, when life happens, you will have what to fall back on. I’ve also been giving my attention to my children more than before. What is next for me politically, I’m not sure yet, but I’m still in politics. We’re so much in the period of uncertainty. I can’t claim I’ve clarity about the direction my political life will go. I have friends, associates, at the right time, we’ll sit and fashion out what I will do.
Since you left office, will you say you have more friends or enemies?
I have more friends, I’m more respected and honoured now than I was when I was in government. The kind of respect I get abroad is amazing; people recognise me even outside the country and come to me to discuss Sports. I’m an introvert, the best place to be for me is my house. I don’t feel less important now because my phone is not ringing like it used to.
If you have the opportunity of going back to the Ministry of Sports, is there anything you will like to do differently?
I will rather say I will like to complete what I’ve started. In Nigeria, we’ve not imbibed true essence of Sports. As long as you are not winning trophies or medals, you’re not working; you’re not doing anything. I won the AFCON for Nigeria but I don’t consider that to be my best achievement in Sports. The biggest challenge in the Nigerian Sports is that, there is no system in place that can make one predict the direction to which things are going. That is why when we go to international competitions, we’re still the only country singing ‘You’re a miracle working God’. I was watching International athlete indoor Champion, Nigerian team was not there, and it will be expected of us to go to the Olympics and win, how? What is our current position internationally? If I have the opportunity to go back, then I will want to continue from where I’ve stopped. We were going to set up a human performance laboratory, the equipment we imported for this are still in the container with which they were imported, at the national stadium. For me, it’s sad, I want to get that off the ground. We still don’t have laboratory to test for drugs. I’m glad that National Youth game has continued, this year’s edition is taking place at the University of Ilorin.
What is your message for the youth who look up to your mentorship?
Mentorship is one thing I love to do, and that’s what inspired my book. They need to have proper value that will make them good citizens. The youth identity is a very fluid and transient one. It not like the gender identity, you’re youth today and before you know it, you outgrow the stage, and that is the most productive years of one’s life; 18 to 35. By the time one crosses that age without setting direction, it might probably be too late. Youth shouldn’t be carried away by ‘youthism’ and think they have time; they don’t probably have. For the female, once a wrong turn is made, she may never be able to recover, mistake committed at 18 years old can determine the entire life.