A good leader is the one who is influential enough to get others to follow him willingly. He has a vision; he has a dream and the passion to pursue it.

He has analytical skills, decision making ability and a go-getter attitude. He dreams big and has the frit to bring it into reality. He possesses virtues like integrity, dedication, fairness and an open mind to greet new ideas and innovate.

The future of a nation is secured only in the hands of able leader who can influence the masses with their thoughts and actions. Effective leader is one who has the ability to listen, think, foresee, understand and act. True leader is one who dares to dream and live to lead; all these are the qualities we saw in Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem.

Whenever we ponder on the life and time of Prof. Oba Abdulraheem past decades, you continue to wonder what enigma he is. The dynamism, courage and resilience with which he pursues his vision are unimaginable.

With a leader like him, task and projects are so much fun to work on. His heroic exploits during his reign as the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin are still fresh in our memory which we all cherish as one of such rare contributions that helped to bring to an end, inglorious rule of arbitrariness.

Besides, this rare show of courage at great cost to his personal welfare and comforts has made him a colossus of a kind unstoppable by his fiercest enemies and critics. He truly confirmed the truism of the assertion that only those who dare can taste victory.

Not withstanding the vicissitude, the various bridges of unity, understanding and friendship Prof. Oba has built in the past years has portrayed his statesmanship and champion of progressive governance, in spite of fiercest opposition from reactionary forces. His rare virtues of compassion, humanness and generosity have indeed made him a model and an inspirational leader.

Even at his age, could all hear the inner urge calling him to serve humanity. His frenetic pace continues to send us, the younger folks panting after him, so long as he is convinced is the right thing to do by society and targeted at the greatest good of the greatest number.

Prof. Oba is an avid believer in the ‘Emirates’ project and Nigeria in general, always ready to subject personal and partisan interest to general interest and above all humanity; while many of his peers have retired to their comfort zones, he has remained a work in progress.

He has made his back available for many to climb in pursuit of their destinies while other push away the ladder after climbing up, he held it strongly for others to join. Indeed Prof. Oba is a copiable example in human disposition and the pearl of the Black race. His life is a story yet untold because is still unfolding and when it is done, it will be one of the most engaging stories of our generation.

On a personal note, Prof. Oba is an unapologetic agent of public good, even his most virulent critics we agree that his contributions towards changing the cause of human history is legendary.

As he continues to pilot the affairs of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for another term in office, my special prayer for him is that his past achievements, no matter how stellar they appear now would pale into insignificance with what he will achieve in the future. Amin

Qudus Bolaji wrote from Mandate Estate, Hajj Camp Road, Adewole Area, Ilorin