Exposed: Secret passion of a Deputy governor

FOR first timers visiting the deputy governor of Kebbi State’s lodge, what will definitely arrest their attention are the various fabricated vehicles that adorn his car park. In it are various types of indigenously designed and locally fabricated vehicles, which include a lorry that could be driven on harsh and rough terrains, especially during campaigns, and for the transportation of materials, especially during elections, or during emergencies in the rural areas.

One of such locally fabricated vehicles that easily catch the eyes is the one called Security Personnel Carrier (SPC), an SUV of sort, which actually resembles an armoured tank, capable of sitting not fewer than five officers. Also in the range of the designs is a Limousine which he named Modified Corvette Sport. Welcome to the auto-design world of Kebbi State deputy governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe Dabai.

Not even being the deputy, Alhaji Dabai, said he had always loved creativity, especially the art of designing and fabricating tools. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has not stopped him from pursuing his passion for tools fabricating. Rather, has put him in better stead to do more for the people and his community. His passion has also not prevented him from carrying out his duties as a deputy governor.

Before he was elected the deputy governor, Yombe had laid out plans on how he would contribute to the craft and creativity industry the little way he could. But as fate would have it, he become a politician and ended up in the government house. Thanks to a governor who not only understands his deputy’s vision, but also believes nothing should be spared to help develop a vocation that has the tendency of creating employment for lots of youths in Kebbi State.

When the deputy governor was an officer in the Nigerian Army, the authorities deemed it necessary to establish an arm of the Infantry to operate, and provide aerial support for the ground troops in a war situation. This, according to Colonel Yombe, afforded him an opportunity to be conscripted into the flying arm of the Infantry, and subsequently sent to the United States for further training in Aviation-related duties. He told Sunday Tribune that the authorities wanted to train their own pilots. “That was how I was drafted in, and trained to be a pilot and also as an aeronautic engineer. We were also trained as helicopter pilots, war plane pilots and also as younger officers.”

But unfortunately, this unit did not take off as scheduled as they were all disbanded, a situation that led to his resignation from the Army as a full Colonel. But fortunately, with the training he had received, the Ministry of Aviation invited him and, together, they established what is today known as Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

Asked how he has he been able to combine his duty as deputy governor with the rigours of designing and bringing them to reality, he said his boss, the governor, had never stopped inspiring him.

“The governor wants to set a standard for our youths in the areas of creativity. Because he wants able bodied youths in the state to engage in the art of fabrication, welding and others arts-related activities so that they can also become trainers, and also contribute purposefully to the society, Governor Bagudu has always been understanding of what I do and is also supportive.

“Trainees and their trainers have been coming to see how welding and fabrications are done and they are happy to see all these,  They are especially proud that each one of them will, at the end of the day, have something to fall back on that will earn them a living and become useful to their society,” he said.

He now wants youths of the state to take a cue from his passion and love for creativity by taking advantage of the opportunities that the governor, Senator Bagudu, has already provided, an exercise which he believes will bring his vision of helping to make a better society possible, and also to help create jobs for youths.

“We have bought enough tools to do most of what you are seeing here, just as we have trained about 50 of them in panel beating, welding, spraying etc.  But we are still looking forward to training additional 25 youths, so that by the end of this year, we would have trained 75 youths altogether. They will be able to train others, provide for themselves to become self-reliant,” he told Sunday Tribune.