Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has penned a heartfelt birthday tribute to his predecessmust former Governor Yahaya Bello on the occasion of Bello’s 50th Birthday.
Ododo in his eulogy, celebrated Bello for changing his story.
FULL MESSAGE
Your Excellency, My Mentor, My Leader sir,
Today, I struggle to find the right words, because how do you describe a man who completely rewrote your story, who looked beyond your background and saw destiny instead of limitations?
I wasn’t supposed to be here. I wasn’t born into privilege. I was raised by my grandmother, and we lacked even what children from average homes took for granted. I went to school hungry, watching my grandmother push through hardship just so I could stay on track. It was a miracle that I even went to school at all.
When I became an association leader at Federal Polytechnic, Bida, I thought I had reached a great height, and truly, I was grateful. I never knew it was only the beginning. I saw you from afar and admired the beautiful transformation you were bringing to our dear Kogi State. I chose to follow your vision, not because I ever thought you noticed me, but because your mission stirred something in me.
What I never knew was that God had planted something in your heart. You were watching. You were planning. You were trusting me, even when I didn’t know it. The day you told me I would succeed you, I wept. I wept because I saw the hand of God. I wept because I knew what it meant. I wept because I had no father figure who ever promised me the world, but here was one who gave me something bigger than the world, a chance.
You changed my story. You changed my name. You used my life to declare to the world that the child of a nobody can become somebody when men of destiny like you are placed by God in leadership. For that, I will be eternally grateful to you, my Boss, my Leader .
At 50, you have already governed Kogi State with honour and impact for eight solid years. What else can we call that, if not divine favour? You are a testimony of Allah’s purpose and grace, and I pray the Almighty Allah continues to take you to heights that human understanding cannot measure.
May God preserve you in health and peace. May your influence stretch beyond imagination. May His purpose for your life find full expression. You are more than a Boss, you are a Leader , and a Leader with a heart so pure, so rare.
I will celebrate you for the rest of my life. I will never be ungrateful for all you have done for me, for my family, and for the people of Kogi State. You gave me a name and a platform. And you trusted me with the legacy of a New Kogi.
Happy Birthday to the Father of the New Kogi State.
May your light shine forever.
With deepest love, respect and eternal gratitude,
Your son and protégé,
Ahmed Usman Ododo
