Tiit For Tat - S02 E18

3 years ago

Tiit For Tat - S02 E18

Read Story: SEASON 2 EPISODE 18

The Governor

THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO ALL FINE POLITICIANS ‍

We arrived at the airport fifteen minutes late. I expected Mr. Bankole Clifford to be angry with his son but he was calm, starring at the two of us as if he had remembered his hay days. He looked as if he was in his early sixty’s.

It wasn’t long before the huge plane ascended into the sky and we were airborne. Gerald had already introduced me to his family so I wasn’t a total stranger to them. He had two other siblings, a brother called Jem and a sister called Tiopsan. His mother who I got to know as Monica was the epitome of beauty. From all the Nigerian movies I had watched, the rich and the powerful don’t mingle with the poor. It was therefore amazing to see Gerald’s family showing me much kindness. Are they for real or they just wanted to see their son happy? Is it all a charade?

Maybe the Nollywood movies were just movies,written, scripted ,

directed and acted.

It was my first time boarding a plane. The feeling was so exhilara

ting. Seeing the ground getting far away beneath me as the plane increased in height and lifted itself into the blue sky was so amazing. Big houses looked like match boxes.

Then the panoramic view of the ground with its natural and human features was stunning. I was so engrossed with the magic of how planes fly and the comfort therein that I didn’t realise we had arrived in Nigeria- the land of my birth. It took just 45 minutes to arrive in Nigeria,using the Governor’s special private plane.

Quite ironically,the same journey took me over 15 hours by road.

We soon touched down at an executive airport in Nigeria.

Mike told me his father wanted to inspect some developmental projects in his state so he would be using a car, followed by his envoy or entourage and some dignitaries.

I secretly wished they took the private plane to the inspection ground but how can they inspect projects on the ground using a private plane?

–The Governor’s Credentials–

Hon. (Dr) Clifford Bankole, the Governor of Plateau State,Nigeria, was a man of great achievements and his impact on the social-political life of the People of Plateau State couldn’t be over emphasised.

He had a quiet, gentle and unassuming personality. He was born in Ajikamai Village, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State. After completing his tertiary education, he did his Mandatory National Youth Service Corp. After the mandatory National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in the Legal Unit of FCDA Abuja, he established his Firm, Clifford B. Bankole & Co. Legal Practitioners as the Principal Partner. He held several positions of responsibility, which included Assistant Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, National President of Goemai Youth Movement.

At the twilight of return to democratic governance and as a youth activist/Lawyer, He contested and won election into the Plateau State House of Assembly (Served 2 terms). Within one year in the House, had served as Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary; Member, House Committee on Local Government & Chieftaincy.

In recognition of his leadership traits he was unanimously elected Honourable Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and by divine intervention earned the record of the longest serving Speaker in the history of Plateau state legislature for seven years of unbroken leadership

As Speaker, he endeared himself to fellow Speakers across the 36 states in Nigeria and was elected twice as Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers.

He is the National Chairman, Forum of All Former Speakers of Nigeria (COFSSHA) and Chairman of Former State Legislators, Plateau State Chapter.

Governor Bankole Clifford was voted and sworn in as 5th Executive Governor of Plateau State.

He received several awards amd Medals like International Peace Awardee Center For African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR), California State University.

Hon. (Dr) Clifford Bankole has received several traditional titles within and outside the State like

Gwat Goemai (Defender of Goemai Land) Ngu Epe Yil Jipal (The man who opens Jipal Land for good things)

In fact, he has made giant strides in virtually all facets of governance, Peace and Security.

His Excellency, Governor Bankole was a passionate Writer. He was married to Monica and blessed with three

Children: Jem,Gerald and Tiopsan (Daughter).

****

Upon arriving in Nigeria,the Governor was taken round the facility to inspect the extent to which work was done on some of his developmental projects like Agriculture,school and Hospitals.

He built the Technical School Construction at the Government College Pankshin to transform the school to its original status of a technical institution since it was initially a Craft School.

He emphasized the need to entrench technical education in the educational system in order to develop skills that are needed to empower our youths and turn them into entrepreneurs and job creators rather than job seekers.

He said that initiative would eliminate poverty and crime and enhance peace and stability in the country.

The Governor was determined to complete most project during his tenure to avoid the problem of abandoned projects. He said, “We decided to complete the projects we inherited, but you can’t be sure of what those coming behind us will do. They may not focus on it if we don’t complete it which will become a waste while the people continue to suffer.”

In order to ensure the Governor’s security, the head of the Governor’s special escort squad was Charge to lead the way. As if they knew what was about to happen..

*****

What happened next?

Episode 19 is loading………