Shagaya at NASS: Fostering Youthful Vision through Humble Leadership By Umar Farouk Bala

Shagaya at NASS: Fostering Youthful Vision through Humble Leadership By Umar Farouk Bala It was a calm, rain-kissed Wednesday morning—July 2, 2025. At the PRNigeria Centre in Abuja, I was immersed in my usual NYSC duties when our Assistant Editor, Mr. Zekeri Laruba Idakwo, informed me that I’d be joining a team heading to the National Assembly later that afternoon. At first, I didn’t know the purpose of the visit, but I was excited. Strangely enough, even though I was born and raised in Abuja—the city that hosts the country’s most powerful institutions—I had never stepped foot inside the National Assembly complex. This wasn’t just another assignment. It felt symbolic, like crossing an invisible threshold. Later, I learned we were going to meet Honourable Muktar Tolani Shagaya, the representative for Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives. The mission was to seek his support for the second edition of the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship—a programme scheduled to take place in Abuja, Ilorin, and Kano in the coming months. That revelation made the visit deeply personal. Just a year earlier, I was a participant in the inaugural edition of the Fellowship. That experience opened doors I never imagined. It led to my first national bylines, recognition at the 2024 Campus Journalism Awards, and eventually, my current placement with PRNigeria. So, returning to advocate for the same programme wasn’t just a professional duty. It felt like coming full circle. We departed our office in Wuye just after midday. As we drove through the calm heart of Abuja, I reflected on how far I had come—and how far we, as a generation, still need to go. At the National Assembly, we passed through security smoothly, thanks to Honourable Shagaya’s office notifying them ahead of our arrival. Walking through the vast and imposing complex, flanked by sharply dressed aides and shiny black SUVs, I couldn’t help but imagine what sort of leader we were about to meet. I braced myself for a stereotypical politician—aloof, dismissive, wrapped in bureaucracy. But my assumptions were quickly dismantled. We were ushered into a lounge within his office suite and asked to wait briefly. When Honourable Shagaya entered, dressed in a simple brown kaftan, he exuded quiet confidence and disarming warmth. There was no air of superiority, just a grounded presence. He greeted everyone—staff and guests alike—with the same respectful ease.

Our delegation, which included Mr. Zekeri, Ilyasu Bature, Kabir Akintayo, and Nafisa Bello—all PRNigeria staff—began presenting our mission. When Mr. Zekeri stood up to speak, Honourable Shagaya gestured gently for him to remain seated, signaling that we were among equals. That small, subtle gesture left a deep impression on me. In that moment, I witnessed leadership not built on titles or theatrics, but on humility and empathy. True power doesn’t need to announce itself—it invites others in. Soon, Honourable Shagaya called his colleague and friend, Honourable Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, who represents Badagry Federal Constituency and serves as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources. Honourable Whingan arrived moments later—youthful, soft-spoken, and graceful in off-white traditional attire. The conversation, led by Mr. Zekeri on behalf of our publisher, Malam Yushau Shuaib, centered on the goals of the Fellowship: to mentor aspiring journalists, instill ethical communication skills, and create platforms for young voices. He highlighted the achievements of Honourable Shagaya’s own media aide, Lukman Bashir—a proud alumnus of the Ilorin edition. When it was my turn to speak, I shared my story—not just as a journalist, but as someone whose life trajectory was altered by the Fellowship. I spoke of how the programme gave us more than training. It gave us identity, direction, and a platform to be heard. I appealed to them not merely as politicians, but as young Nigerians who understand the urgent need to empower the next generation of storytellers. Their responses were not only supportive—they were sincere. They didn’t speak in rehearsed political language. They engaged with us, human to human. Both lawmakers praised the initiative and pledged to support the 2025 edition in their constituencies. And when they spoke, it didn’t feel transactional—it felt like a shared commitment. As we exited the complex, I couldn’t help but reflect: this wasn’t just a meeting. It was an exchange of dreams, grounded in purpose and mutual respect. Sometimes, the most impactful experiences don’t make headlines. They unfold quietly, in honest conversations and firm handshakes. That day at the National Assembly reminded me that behind Nigeria’s walls of power, there are young leaders who listen, who care, and who believe in building others. It reminded me that our voices matter. Our stories matter. With the right kind of leadership, change doesn’t have to be a far-off aspiration. It can begin today, in places as grand as a legislative chamber—or as humble as a conversation over shared values. This was more than a visit. It was a powerful affirmation that when youth and leadership align, possibilities multiply.

Umar Farouk Bala is a corps member currently serving at the PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. He can be reached at [email protected]