This is to celebrate another purposeful, productive, fruitful an undeniably accomplished year in the life of an exceptionally qualitative Nigerian. This is another year in the life of Barrister Solomon Dalung.
Dalung doesn't need being introduced in any circle in Nigeria. A youth leader and probably the only man of his age with hands clean enough to dine with the elders. He is a voice for the voiceless and a hope for the hopeless. Call him a bridge buildet, you are only half way correct. Dalung is a strong bridge build on supportive pillars of honesty and unmatched patriotism. A Nigerian to the core. Passionately patriotic and sincerely concerned about the downtrodden caught in the whirlpool of a lawless society where might is right and is always for the rich.
In a society where it takes a little "bending" to hit it big, Dalung remain rigidly standing and uncompromisingly attached to his humane ideals. With minimal effort he could have been a billionaire living fat on the sweat and blood of shortchanged Nigerians living in unexplainable squalor alongside equally unexplainable wealth corned by a fraction of the society through dubious means. It was therefore, not accidental when Radio France found you worthy of their prestigious man of the year award. And, it was not for nothing that millions of Nigerians found him worthy of their trust and dutifully respect his opinion. Put the Nigerian government on one side of a scale and Dalung on the other and watch how the scale of honour would overwhelme that of obscene wealth and endless opportunities.
On numerous occasions, there were attempts on his life. Not for the usual purpose of pecuniary benefits. Simply to silence the truth. As God will have it, he always came out of it not only alive but stronger and more determined to toe the path of truth and honesty. This is a man that governors wish to have him approve their performances which he dutifully did based on his conviction and verifiable evidence. He belong to the class of few Nigerians who have the power of moving mountains by the power of their words alone. Yet, neither nor silver listen to his voice.
Just as he is rich in character so he is modest in means. His humility knows no boundary. Just yesterday he took time off his busy schedule to call and comfort me over a sad incident of daylight robbery involving my wife. I met him only once in my life. But when he read my post about the event it triggered the human in him. He called and soothed with me assurances packed in beautiful words laced with sincerity. Such exceptional humility.
So he is modest. He neither enjoys the trappings of a man of his standing nor does he seem to even appreciate the luxury for which many are sacrificing their souls to the devil. He don't live in a mansion neither does he cruise around in a Prado jeep. You will never notice him if you are looking for a man in a versace suit and Gucci loafers. Just look for the most decent and ordinary Nigerian and you will see him towering high above those with fleet of private jets.
Perhaps, that may explain envious allegations that were as silly as they were unrealistic. Out of frustration, he was variously described as an agent of Hausa/Fulani, an agent of VOA, BBC, RFI and what have you. His crime being his ability to subdue the usual human impulse to say the truth how he sees it with the simple objective of making life better than he met it. At just 50, Dalung has accomplished more than a combine result of many Nigerian leaders put together. Without a doubt, if one man is a Nigerian, Dalung is. The papers might not carry paid adverts celebrating your birthday sir. I'm sure sure you will not be bothered because those are not your values. I am sure you will not be caught celebrating another year wasting monies that may feed an empty stomach, save a life and bring smile on the face of a hopeless kid left to the vicious forces of life without a helping hand. You have every reason to be happy because Nigerians believe in you and and will always pray for you. Sir, may you live long to see the Nigeria of your dream. Congratulation and HAPPYBIRTHDAY.
Written by Maiwada Danmallam katsina.
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