Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, is truly a transformational leader, and I can personally testify to that from years of direct experience with him.
Although I had only known him casually as an elder brother from Ushongo back home, our relationship truly blossomed when I approached him to patronise the business I managed as a hotel manager in Abuja. From that moment, Siman Suites in Garki practically became his Abuja home whenever he travelled from Gboko. Each time he was heading to Abuja, the call would come: “Tyopev, my brother, please keep a room(s) for me, I’m on my way.”
One unforgettable moment was in 2006 when he was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). For his swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court, he booked virtually the entire hotel for family, friends, and well-wishers who came from far and near to celebrate with him. Beyond the business, his consistent patronage helped build my reputation and rating as an effective employee with my employers at the time.
Our relationship continued long after he was appointed Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in July 2007. Coincidentally, around the same time, my late boss, Senator J.I. Akaagerger, was elected into office and wanted me to serve as his Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly. Chief Aondoakaa had also indicated interest in bringing me into the Ministry of Justice as one of his aides. Even though I chose to stay with my principal at the National Assembly, he respected my decision and continued to relate with me like a brother.
Soon after assuming the office as Minister in July 2007, he launched the prison decongestion initiative. In September 2007, I approached him with an application requesting allocation of prison decongestion cases. Without hesitation, he simply asked whether I had a lawyer to handle them. Once I answered in the affirmative, he immediately allocated several cases to me. That support continued throughout his time in office until 2010.
By mid-2008, barely a year at the National Assembly, I became dissatisfied with the job and discussed it with him. He encouraged me to be patient and assured me he would help me secure another opportunity. True to his word, in January 2009, he informed me that he had spoken with Dr Paul Orhii, the newly appointed DG of NAFDAC, who had agreed to engage me as a Special Assistant.
I resumed at NAFDAC, but barely 30 days later, I was informed that my services were no longer needed because someone else had been considered more suitable. It was a painful and unexpected moment. Chief Aondoakaa was out of the country at the time and had not been informed. Upon his return, I briefed him about the development. His response was calm and reassuring: “Don’t worry, another opportunity will come.”
Just two days later, I received a call from his younger brother, Ordoo, to come to his residence in Apo immediately. On arrival, I met Barr. Simon Chuzi Egede, MON, who joyfully celebrated me as his Special Assistant. That was how I discovered he had just been appointed Executive Secretary of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
In a remarkable twist, while we were celebrating, the DG of NAFDAC also arrived. Chief Aondoakaa told him, “I gave you Tyopev, but it seems things couldn’t work out, so I have given him to work with Chuzi.”
The very next day, I received my appointment letter as a Special Assistant at Grade Level 16, Step 5, complete with an official car and chauffeur. Barr. Egede proved to be an exceptional leader as well, making me an automatic member of the NAPTIP top management team and entrusting me with membership/chairmanship of several management committees. Those opportunities exposed me to numerous national and international engagements until the unfortunate death of President Yar’Adua in 2010, when MKA was removed as minister, which also affected us at NAPTIP, considering that my position was a political appointment.
Looking back today, I remain deeply grateful to Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, for his uncommon loyalty, belief in people, and readiness to lift others. Some leaders inspire with words; others transform lives through action. Chief Aondoakaa belongs firmly to the latter category.
NB: This is just Part 1 of several forthcoming reflections on my personal experience of how MKA never gives up on supporting, mentoring, and building those who come close to him,
shared in honour of his birthday coming up on June 12.