Jekada: When Intellect, Passion Meet Commitment
BY BEN YAMUSA
Those committed to the overall good are often not weary of exploring ways and means of reaching the peak of their vision. So it is with Air Cdr. Emmanuel Kabirat Jekada (rtd) whose inspiring life has comforted the underprivileged and supported the distressed, including providing support for the unsupported and afforded educational opportunities for children of the poor in advancing their educational prospects.
Even before his emergence as the Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2018, his footprints have been defined in untainted service to both humanity and his profession. He remains an enigma of a sort whose impassioned vision in the service of his people, state and country has never been in doubt. Not only has he supported the weak and provided succour across regions and religions, this retired Air Force officer symbolises excellence in service to humanity in various fields of human endeavours.
His entrance into politics after serving the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) marked the commencement of clear service to fellow citizens through the establishment of a school and other platforms geared towards touching the lives of citizens in positive terms. In trying to improve the lives of fellow citizens, Jekada ensured that excellence of service anchored on passion for humanity remains propelling forces. That has been the major plank upon which he continues to serve his people for personal and state development.
Still serving as the Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the APC, and still counting, he has continued to deploy his intellects and commitment in wielding the party into a stronger force in Kaduna state and beyond. Considering the 30 years he served NAF, Jekada remains one of the nation’s best hands endowed in both academic distinction and inspiring service to his Fatherland.
He is the most cerebral retired officer who combines his academic attainment with an unequalled career excellence, having displayed unique qualities of standing for the truth and the common good. His present disposition of saying the truth, no matter whose ox is gored, is anchored on his belief that leadership without sincerity can’t deliver the best for the people.
A brief surmise of his trajectory provides an inspiring illumination of what he stands for. After completing his primary education in Madakiya, in present day Zangon Kataf LGA, he proceeded to the Basawa Teacher’s College, Zaria, for his Grade II Teacher’s certificate. He would join the Nigerian Air Force as a potential pilot and member of the Cadet’s Military Training Course 2 (CMTC) in 1977. Thereafter, he was commissioned as a regular combatant officer with the rank of Pilot Officer in 1980.
He walked to the peak of his academic laurels when he obtained Ph.D in International Relations and Strategic Studies at St. Clements University TURK & Caicos Islands British West Indies London Graduation Centre, He also obtained Masters of Business Administration and Management (MBA) in 2000 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and a masters in international Relations and Strategic Studies ( MIRSS) at the Lagos state University in 2002.
Apart from attaining excellence in all his academic endeavours, the Kaduna APC Chairman displayed exceptional competence during all military trainings/courses that he was involved in. After his Primary Flying Training School at the NAF Base, Kaduna, in 1978, he was at the Technical Training School, Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi in the United States of America where he acquired the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialist Certificate and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Rating in 1979.
He shone brightly at the Armed Forces Command & Staff College Jaji, Kaduna State, where he obtained Pjsc (passed junior staff college) in 1989 and psc (Passed Staff College) in 1996. He was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, near Jos, for his mni in 2008. Apart from attending seminars on ‘Operational readiness and essential pillars of credible national defence systems,’ the retired officer also attended NAF administrative workshops, among other national and international summits.
In Jekada, the passion for service coupled with intellectual disposition in resolving challenges is resident. His military promotion reveals him as a man whose excellence was recognised through his dint of hard work and dedication to duties. Rising to the rank of Air Commodore in 2006, Jekada also held several positions in the military and they include: Administrative Officer (AO) Air Traffic Squadron, Flying Training School Kano (1981); Officer Commanding (OC) Air Traffic Services Wing (ATS)/ Instructor Air Traffic Control/Meteorology (Met) in 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna (1994-1995); Co Battalion commander/ ATC& MET Academic instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna 1997-98. Commander, NAF Station Maiduguri (1999-2000); Administrative Officer (AO) to the Chief of Air Staff NAF HQ Abuja (1998-1999); Deputy Director, Relief and Disaster Management, Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja (2005-2006); Director, Research and Rescue, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abuja, and Directing Staff , National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) Kuru from 2009 till his retirement.
He also attended military operations that included Operation Sea Dog in Calabar (1980); Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) Peace Keeping Force in Chad (1981); Assigned military operational exercises of Tactical Air Command (TAC) in Makurdi/Maiduguri (1982-1989) and Operation Takute Expe JOPEX in Lagos (2004).
It is incontrovertible to say that Air commodore Jekada has not only left indelible footprints on the sands of his military career and his service in the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS); but he is poised in pressing the buttons for a stronger platform that will enable the APC to provide dividends of democracy for the electorate.
In a nation endowed with renewed hope for citizens in search of transparency and good governance based on transparency, the Kaduna APC Chairman remains a metaphor that combines passion and intellect in the pursuit of the common good. From the footprints of brilliant public service of military career and community service, Jekada combines the intelligence that saw him walk to the peak of academic profession and academics. His life and achievements remain an inspiration and hope for a nation still enmeshed in searching for committed patriots versed in the knowledge of providing leadership for national development.
Yamusa, a public analyst, writes from Kaduna, and can be reached via: benyamusa2000@gmail.com
