The Dilemma of finding the Right Adjectives and Qualifiers to Describe Garba Musa (MaiDoki)

Who is Garba Musa? The only word, within my limited vocabulary that is close to describe the total sum of Garba Musa’s commitment to his people, over and above “generosity and philanthropic, defender and protector,” is “Altruism” – “Selflessness!”

Who is Garba Musa? When I imposed the responsibility of unearthing Garba Musa to make this enigma a persona grata to the public, lest did I know the daunting task ahead.

Garba Musa (Maidoki) is one of the new political entrants into partisan politics who pulled an upset by winning incumbent and seasoned vicenarian politicians on elective posts in the just concluded 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

A man who is reserve and who had a glorious career outside the Zone in a specialised multinational organisation outside the mainstream Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) is certainly not known in his personal capacity, career growth, trainings, experiences and achievements, except for his appellation of “Maidoki” and his “Give-Back-Programmes” to promote and defend his people.

Many have never met him in person or seen him for years even though, directly or indirectly have benefited from his projects, kindness or generosity.

Thus, the need to have an insight into this personality that turnout to be an enigma to present the man the people voted to represent them at the 10th National Assembly as a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Kebbi South Senatorial Zone.

Unmasking the true personality of an enigma like Garba Musa, one has to dig down to the core to reveal his true innate traits and inherited characteristics that distinguished his sterling qualities, to know the various trainings and cognate experiences that forged and moulded him into who he is.

The intent is to capture the totality of his attributes, attitudes, interests, behavioural patterns, emotional responses, social roles, and other individual traits that endure over the long periods of time that made him appealing, distinctive and his noticeable epitomising traits or characteristics.

Without personality inventory of Garba Musa to determine his personality, character-trait and profile unique to him, this quest demanded travelling down multiple paths. I started with some of his childhood friends, primary and school classmates, a careful study of his Curricular Vitae and in the final conclusion; I intend to hear from the horse’s mouth as the saying goes.

For those who know Garba Musa, will agree with me that finding the right adjectives and qualifies to describe the ‘Maidoki’ enigma is like attempting to find a needle in the ocean.

One will be at crossroads to pin generosity to Garba Musa, because that will only be describing the man’s milk of kindness. Over and over again, Maidoki’s timely willingness to give his hard earned money, or extend help to anybody, has been vouched-for by all those who know and spoke about him. However, Garba Musa is much more than simply being generous.

Many people I spoke to prefer to attribute ‘philanthropic’ to 'Maidoki,' because, in addition to his generosity, he is charitable.

Thus, he combines kindness, charitable concern, and generosity toward other people. He devoted his life to helping other people, especially through giving charitable aid to the needy.

The “Philanthropic Maidoki,” therefore desires to improve the material, social, and spiritual welfare of all those who came before him, because of his love and benevolence towards people in general.

Sincerely, to my dismay, I found out none of these single words can adequately describe ‘Maidoki,’ “giving, charitable, benevolent, humanitarian, generous, big-hearted, and goodhearted.”

These qualifiers did not adequately capture ‘Maidoki’s’ drive to protect his people and community. There is a proven record of accomplishment time-and-time-again, where ‘Maidoki’ came out of his shelf to defend or protect his people and community, often at his personal risk.

Thus, “Philanthropic” does not support or justify the sterling quality of ‘Maidoki’ as defender or protector of the people and the community.

Therefore, if you call him a “hero” you are not farfetched. There is no iota of doubt that ‘Maidoki’ has proven to be remarkable during the trying period of ‘Yan Sa Kai. His commitment to ease their stigma, arrests and challenges were truly acts of remarkable bravery, an admirable quality displaying great courage and strength of character.

I rather feel, ‘Maidoki’ is the People’s Hero.

The vital role and achievement during that period were at least known to many people. However, ‘Maidoki’ has played a lot in the development of many people and communities unknown to many.

That is why the only word, within my limited vocabulary that is close to describing the total sum of Garba Musa’s commitment to his people, over and above “generosity and philanthropic, defender and protector,” is “Altruism” – “Selflessness!”

This is unselfish attitude marked by the concern for the welfare of others is what Garba Musa stands for. This ‘Maidoki’s’ selfless attribute go beyond giving money or time to others. This can be done without personal risks. On the other hand, a hero might not have the resources to give, but can play other vital roles at his personal risk to liberate and promote others.

This is as closest as I can get in describing Maidoki – “Altruism – Selflessness.”

Selflessness is putting others first! Thinking of others first!! The virtue of putting other people’s needs, interests, or wishes before one’s own is one of the strongest virtues of leadership. It goes beyond being “patron, humanitarian, donor, sponsor, promoter, contributor, backer, and guarantor.”

This is quantum in Garba Musa “Maidoki.” Garba Musa has touched the lives of the rich and the poor, the big and small, the high and the low, the mighty and the small, the strong and the weak.

Without glorifying him, attempt will be made to give the much of my little findings about the man as I can. 

We are still on the same spot, “Who is Garba Musa (Maidoki) – The Kebbi South Senator Elect?”

This piece is just the icing on the cake. 

Keep a date.