NIGERIA @56: SENATOR GEMADE STILL RAISES STAKES FOR ALTRUISTIC LEADERSHIP AND NATION BUILDINGBy Akosu Emmanuel Lubem.

As Nigeria marks another significant event in it chequered journey with is uniquely carved political formations, ethnic and religious diversities, cultural and environment dynamics and the much touted prediction by Western Cynics of it eventual breakaway by 2015, several potent reasons naturally itch the mind of pundits as to how successful or otherwise its leadership and followership alike have sacrificed in calving the meaningful state Nigeria have come to be today.


Times like these present opportunities for introspective analysis of how well the leadership particularly has fared in contributing to nation building, its peace, unity, stability, and progress and a measure of its growth and development index through singular patriotic acts. The essence of this essay therefore finds its footing.

Senator Barnabas Andyer Iyorher Gemade OFR FNSE, been one of Nigeria’s renowned nationalist and substantially one of its nationally celebrated assets has been acknowledged over time to have helped in no small measure in shaping the nation’s political history conviniently finds relevance in this discourse as Nigerian marks her 56 independence day celebration today.

As early as the mid 80s, Gemade had uniquely carved a niche as a refined persona, excellent administrator, strategic manager of men and resource. By the 1990s his leadership prowess, worth and mettle had started pervading the Nigerian public circles. He was appointed a Federal Secretary (Minister) to administer the operations of Works Ministry by the Ibrahim Babangida led Military Government where his infrastructural development agenda for the nation practically became synonymous with his personage. Under his firm supervision, vast infrastructure to include very expansive and standard roads network across the country received the desired attention and subsequent implementation roundly across the country.

In due recognition of his earlier nationalist efforts at molding the ideal face of Nigerian geographical and political space, Gemade was in 1994 elected Delegate to the National constitutional Conference. While at that conference his penchant to remodel the democratic walls of the nation manifested to the admiration of his contemporaries. He was made the Chairman, Political Transition committee and among his equals chosen to be chairman, National Consultative Forum, a non partisan body of Delegates for the promotion of national unity and understanding and the overall success of the conference.

Chief Barnabas Gemade was towards the transition to democratic rule exemplified his thoughts as a fervent politician with uncommon proclivity for nationalistic accomplishment and attendant zeal for a just, indivisible, peaceful, progressive and productive Nigeria. Gemade at all times was seen to fervently champion the cause for a greater and enviable Nigeria as such was quickly identified and meritoriously saddled with very sensitive and enormous tasks of spearheading missions of national relevance. He took over leading roles of heading political parties at the national realm.

Towards 1999, Gemade was strategically chosen at the formative stages political parties to first become the National Treasurer, first of then Congress for National Consensus (CNC), then its National Chair. As events inched closely to 1999, Gemade, vastly acknowledged with a well of political, intellectual, administrative and potent leadership attributes became the National Trustee of the PDP in 1998, member Presidential Policy Advisory Committee, PPAC, to President Olusegun Obasanjo. 1999, and in recognition of Senator Gemade’s foresight, visionary carriage, progressive ideals, excellent public conduct, vast exposure and public service experience and a sheer dexterity in effectively managing the affairs of men and resources would again be chosen to man and strategically position the then ruling PDP again as its National Chairman. A position he successfully steered its affairs to fruition with recorded successes of producing a President and 21 state Governors.

As a firm, focused and committed democrat with the desired flair and content to healthily aspire for service to humanity, Chief BAI Gemade, would muscled out his altruistic courage for service, where he contended for the esteemed foremost position of the Nigerian Presidency. During the Party’s primary in 2002, a robust presidential contest ensued in which the likes of the late Abubukar Rimi, himself and then incumbent President Obasanjo as frontline contenders. Obasanjo however emerged as the party’s flag bearer and went ahead to clinch victory at the general polls.

In furtherance of the Nigeria constitutional development process, the nation would again seek to tap from Gemade’s well of knowledge and experience to bear on the nation’s formation and operations. He was again beckoned upon as a Delegate to the National Political Reform Conference, NPRC in 2005. At the conference he was made Member, Business Committee and Chairman Editorial committee for the compilation of the report of the social Infrastructure Committee. Duties he effectively approached and accomplished successfully to the admiration of contemporaries and followers alike.

Senator Gemade for considerable reasons has being an active actor in shaping the formation and design of the Nigerian project for reasonable decades. He has always stood for more worthy and rewarding courses, sieving the undue aspect of political pettiness and undoings. In the cause of all these Patriotic and noble acts, Chief Senator Barnabas Gemade, the Nom I Yange U Tiv has continued to place the people over and above self, naturally seeking to passionately empower and make them take their ideal place in the society, particularly his Tiv Kinsmen whom he has risen over the years to genuinely appreciate their concerns and aspirations. For some time now, this selfless leader and mentor has ensured their rounded placement at the national realm of leadership and in other Federal engagements.
Little wonder he was again overwhelmingly supported and re-elected in 2015 by his kinsmen to still spearhead over their social and political destiny.

Gemade’s re-election was made epical due to his vast human and infrastructural drive on Benue and Tiv nation in particular which has become a sine qua non for his celebrated persona and public image . The number of profile Bills he had sponsored in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, the recent been A Bill For the Establishment of Ranches and Ranches Commission, the deliberate drive for infrastructure across the land especially in wide range of roads network, portable water supply, education, health care delivery systems, power distribution, human empowerment programmes all point as potent reasons on why this great nationalist has become the celebrated bride in Nigeria today, and on why a legion of followers seek to confidently reckon and keep faith with him.


Still keeping faith with the constituents of Benue North-East Diatrict particularly, Senator Gemade recently led the way where he transited various relief materials to include bags of rice, detergents, mattresses, cash gifts and other sundries to the various IDPs camps in the zone prominently the Logo and kwande IDP camps. Some benevolent act that continues to spark volumes of discussions and appreciations from constituents.

Recently too in keeping his social contract with the people robust, and more at home, the Distinguished Senator returned home to naturally celebrate his 68th Birthday with leaders and constituents of the Benue North –East Senatorial District, an event which witnessed huge donations of various cash gifts doled out in the heat of an open recessive economy and knocks. These acts of benevolence too only smacks evidence to some brilliant effective representation and altruistic leadership which the unique character and personality of Distinguished Senator Chief (Dr) Barnabas Gemade has come to be known and addressed as.

Akosu Emmanuel Lubem
Wrote from Abuja , Nigeria
Text: 07038578549, E-Mail akosumela@gmail.com