How I was mentored by Gani Fawehinmi -Ribadu

According to Tribune, meeting  late fiery human rights activists, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, was a
morale booster for the former presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, just as he admitted on Sunday that Fawehinmi's mentorship helped in shaping his ideological stance.


Ribadu, who spoke at a mentoring programme organised by the Group of Patriotic Corpers (GPC) and AdoptATweep in Abuja, at the weekend, said he meet the reputable lawyer while serving as a pupil lawyer at the Military Special Investigative Panel, during the short-lived Buhari/Idiagbon regime.

Late Fawehinmi, according to Ribadu, provided him critical pieces of advice and mentorship lessons, which continued to serve as his guiding lights till today. He said it was from Fawehinmi he renewed his resolve to continue to fight the cause of the poor and subsequently join the Nigeria Police Force. He, therefore, underscored the importance of mentoring young ones, which he said, surpassed what one can learn from formal school.

 "A Chinese saying has it that discussing with an experienced person is worth more than 10 years of education. It is, therefore, good to always relay one's experience to younger ones," he said. Ribadu admonished the youth to make right choices at early stages of their careers, by choosing to live humble and exemplary lives than that of material accumulation, which he said did not guarantee eternal happiness if acquired through corrupt means.

He also asked youths not to lose hope of rebuilding the country, but said they required a strong will and incorruptible lives to salvage the nation, adding that the resolve had to be made at an early age. "My success at the EFCC, especially in resisting all tempting offers and call to bend the rules, was a direct result of my bow from when I was like you that I will never be corrupt.

"I resented corruption not by lips, but by personal conduct. I refused to be bribed or compromised throughout my public service career. Yet, I am ever happy with myself. I have no regret that I don't have mansions all over the world or own a private jet. I drive happiness from contentment and the feeling that what I possess are things I genuinely earn.

You can make similar resolve today," he said. He charged the youth to conduct audit of their abilities before making career choice, which is a lifetime decision. "Therefore, if you really wish to be a home-builder, one possessed by desire to change our realities, then, you have to conduct a self assessment.

Look into your strengths, weaknesses and then take decision on whether to follow the left or the right path which leads to integrity, self-satisfaction and reputation that could outlive generations.

"Collectively, you should come together in reforming all the things that ought to be reformed; your generation must come out with a blueprint and that has to include breaking down the walls of ethnic, religious and regional advocacies and presenting leaders ready to represent people's interests. If you don't make any sacrifice to correct the ills, how do you expect a change?

It is your responsibility to demand for a Nigeria of your wish; a Nigeria where opportunities abound for those who strive for excellence, but essentially, that Nigeria begins with your personal will. It begins now," he said.