For the 68 years old, Ex-Governor of Lagos and APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, life has been more than fair to him. Love or hate him, this man has successfully positioned himself in a prime spot in the social, economic and political history of this great country.
His impact and contributions to the country are indelible. It, is therefore, no gainsaying to describe Asiwaju as one of the most courageous Nigerians that ever liveth. He has proved himself so many times and in so many ways, he does not seem to have anything to prove to anyone anymore. Ask people who this man is and answers will vary. Oh, Asiwaju is generous. He is courageous, humane, brave, consistent, compassionate are likely responses you will get. Many others however, do not have pleasant things to say about him though but almost everyone agrees he is a phenomenon. This is why he has been able to build a large army of followership who are fanatical about his leadership style. What probably is most intruding is the fact that his followership cut across social, economic, religious and ethnic stratifications. He is just a man of the people.The
name Jagaban has gained prominence among his followers and even fellow
political allies. And when you look at Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu closely, his
achievement in the political sphere in Nigeria, his charisma and the influence
he wields today, the name truly fits him. The meaning of ‘Jagaban’ in many
context can be defined as the ‘Boss of Bosses’. It can also mean someone who is
in charge, someone who is powerful and has influence in the streets, an area or
in the industry.
But
one thing is sure, the name always carries a fearful meaning and anyone
referred to Jagaban is meant to be feared or respected. But the name did not
just pop out of nowhere among the men of the underworld or those who yield some
level of power in their area. As stated above, Tinubu is popularly referred to
as Jagaban as someone who has wield enormous influence. Since the name was
given to him because of his influence, fame and also playing a key role in the
unseating of an incumbent president by an opposition party as the leader of the
party, many people have picked up the name and started using it especially in
the streets.
The
name Jagaban is attributed to strong people, people with influence and power,
and people who can get things done. And the popular Jagaban associated with the
streets or other people other than Tinubu was coined from Tinubu’s chieftaincy
title.
You
probably have heard of the word ‘Jagaban’ or must have heard someone being
referred to as Jagaban. Are you wondering or asking yourself what is the
meaning of ‘Jagaban’? You have come to the right place.
HOW
ASIWAJU TINUBU GOT HIS TITLE JAGABAN BORGU
The word ‘Jagaban’ means ‘leader of warriors’.
It was formed from the chieftaincy title bestowed on Tinubu in a town in
Northwest Nigeria: “Ja a gabar borgu” which means “the leader of Borgu land or
in the Yoruba Language the asiwaju of Borgu land” When you mention the word
‘Jagaban’ in Nigeria especially if you are in Lagos State, one of the two
things that come to mind is the name of the former governor of Lagos State,
Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is popularly referred to by his fans or followers
as Jagaban. But not many of the people who know him or refer to him as Jagaban
are aware that the name Jagaban is a chieftaincy title bestowed upon him by the
late Emir of Borgu, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro III. As explained
by the late emir, Jagaban means the ‘Leaders of Warriors.’
On
naming Tinubu as the Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, the late Emir
had this to say: “When God made me the Emir, I said this man was there when I
was in dire need of help so why can’t I use my position to make him what I feel
will help him in future politically. That was why I honoured him with the title
of ‘Jagaban.’ Jagaban means ‘Leader of Warriors.”
The
Emir of Borgu in Niger State, Hrh Alh. (Senator) Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III [Mai
Borgu] has revealed why in 2006, he named National Leader of the All
Progressives Congress(APC), Senator (Asiwaju) Bola Tinubu Jagaban of Borgu. On
26th February, 2006 the first-class emir turbanned Tinubu and his wife Senator
Remi Tinubu with the titles of Jagaba of Borgu and Yun Bana Jagaban of Borgu
respectively. In this excerpted speech published by this medium sometimes ago,
the emir at the turbanning ceremony talks about his 24-year friendship with the
Jagaba Borgu, and why he bestowed on him this prestigious title….
“It
was in the days of the ill-fated 3rd Republic, in the fateful year of 1992 that
my path first crossed that of His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We were
both elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he as an SDP
Senator and I on the platform of the NRC. In the early days of the National
Assembly of that still-born Republic, out of the dynamic social turbulence and
constantly shifting political quicksand certain strong bonds of understanding,
collaboration and partnership were forged between various leaders across the
political divide.
In
particular I and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, though from opposing sides of the
political divide, gradually discovered that our positions on issues of burning
national importance increasingly propelled both of us and few other like-minded
patriots in the same political direction. Naturally therefore, at the
inter-personal level, we both easily gravitated towards each other. Little were
we to know that difficult and dangerous times lay ahead for the entire nation.
In
November 1993 all democratic institutions across the country including the
National Assembly were dissolved by the Gen. Sani Abacha regime and the country
was returned to Military rule. It is on record that the first challenge to this
unconstitutional take over was mounted via a Press Conference which followed a
closed-door meeting of about 35 Senators including myself, Senator Chuba
Okadigbo, Senator Abu Ibrahim and of course Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu .There is
hardly any point describing the security situation as at then, but suffice it
to say that we were all hounded with incessant threats, arrests and incarcerations.
Eventually the struggle assumed darker dimensions and various pro-democracy
proponents had to go underground. It was in the course of these struggles that
I came face to face with the inner core of the essential character of Senator
Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I discovered that he is one personality that can neither be
bought nor distracted. He has absolutely no sense of materialism and has been
known to risk his life and the lives of his dear ones in defense of the truth.
He personifies the superior logic of having elected instead of selected
leaders. Needless to say, he is a die-hard workaholic.
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