A Distinguished Erudite Administrator and Outstanding Patriot of Nigeria Nation
Keeping a date with history is the ultimate goal of every human-being. Once you are born, you have the opportunity to input in the society and thus make history. Doing otherwise would put you on the wrong side of history. You end up as an imbecile.
A life propelled by greed and selfish desires can never find accommodation or mention in the annals of history. A public officer who lacks vision and sense of direction or easily get influenced by some mundane considerations like nepotism and other such negativity, may just experience momentary gains, such person never get far. Often times, this is a major problem in our clime.
It is however heartwarming that in the face of this gloomy scenario, it is possible to still find few individuals as blaze trailers, men and women who sterling qualities distance them from the club of nation wreckers, men propelled by service and deep sense of patriotism. Happily enough, Kogi State, Ebiraland in particular, is blessed with one of such a unique personality of Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullateef Bello Babamba, the current Director of FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Abuja.
The list of top public servants in Nigeria cannot be completed without mentioning the name of Dr. Lateef Bello Babamba, current Director of DRTS, Abuja. The reason for this is that, Dr. Lateef is an epitome of sound of public service design, infact he is one Nigeria’s finest civil servant with a dynamic career spinning over decades.
Dr. Lateef , is one of the best consummate Technocrats and a Federal Bureaucrat, a thorough-bred professional of high standard, have carved a niche for himself as a dynamic and high focused individual, whose idea and innovative approach to architectural administrative practice and accomplishment that had brought more dignity to the Nigeria civil service, particular.
When the vacuum of a Director at the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, was declared open, the unwritten consensus of the FCT administration was that they needed somebody of administrative intellectualism. At this point in time, the presence of mind turned into reality, the desire to put the sector on the world map. This, at the end of the process, in the wisdom of the screening panel, penciled down Dr. Abdullateef Bello Babamba, suitable for the exalt position. He was eventually appointed on merit.
As expected, his coming on board was greeted with a lot of expectations. His appointment was virtually at a crossroads as he had successfully served as Director, Security department of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. As expected, his coming was also greeted with a lot of expectations, apprehensions as well; as fear of unknown. Such emotions are characteristics of human beings in any given society, when there is new leadership. The distinguished erudite administrator embraced his assignment with poise, humility and candor.
On his assumption as the Director of FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abuja, Dr. Abdullateef Bello Babamba, was able to stabilize and focused the administration and the management of the department, out of the rancor and acrimony that was common practice in the system, all fizzled out under his leadership. The professional group developed increase significantly under his watch. Staff welfares have been one of his focal points in his administration. The professionals were happy to the innovative and the new methods brought to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Dr. Lateef, championed the concept of “Same Day Files Service” principle in the sector. The idea is that all management staff should not leave files brought to them overnight, the files must as far as exigently be dealt with same day. He started it with the Directors office and gradually casketed it to all management officers. He believes that the idea of delaying files treatment is a symptom of service failure and he ensured that prompt and responsive service delivery should be cornerstone of the drive to improve overall efficient of the department. He had been championing a number of fundamental reforms aimed at repositioning the sector at large. He had installed a lot of integrity, discipline, accountability, fairness and justice in all the personnels of the sector, in the pursuit of the mandate of the sector given to him by the Minister of FCT.
He has also brought about major physical and procedural changes aimed at placing the sector in pedestal of efficient service delivery and effective promotion of the ethos of the sector.
Dr. Lateef, is an individual in public service that have carve niche for himself that is unparalleled and as a shining star of the modern day philanthropist, an account of many things he has been doing to better people’s lives positively. His philanthropic gesture stands him out as a man of rare humanitarian temperaments.
His desire to get the best out of every situation is one philosophy that has really worked wonders in his life, thereby catapulting him to the top in all his endeavours. This is evident in his handling of various positions, assignments, ranging from private, public and community callings he had held over time without imperfection.
It takes doggedness, sincerity and accountability to succeed as head in any field of human endeavors. For a leader who can marry these valuables, success is the finished product. These attributes are what make Dr. Lateef Bello Babamba the toast of every civil servant and his contemporaries in the civil service and he stands and deserves some kudos and social cognition. His achievement also in the public service so far certainly will inspire the spirit of patriotism and excellence in our youths and prosperity.
It all started from a very humble beginning when Dr. Abdullateef Bello Babamba, was born to Late Alhaji Bello Babamba and Hajiya (Inya) Bello Babamba, (all of Blessed Memories), in Agasa, Okene Local government of Kogi state, home of well-disciplined and behaved family with proficiency and background in Quranic jurisprudence. From here, he rose to achieve a story, which by all ramifications, is worthy of emulation.
Abdulllateef father, Alhaji (Adayi) Bello Babamba, of Blessed Momory, was a respected community leader in his days. He came from one of the foremost clans, ‘Omoye’ in Ebiraland of Kogi Central, which was noted for its communalistic spirit of where everyman consider himself as brother’s keeper. His late mother, Hajiya (Inya) Bello Babamba, of Blessed Memory, was a quintessential mother, God-fearing, unassuming and very supportive, ensuring that her children were properly brought up so as to guarantee a better future for each and every one of the.
Dr. Lateef, who his people and admirers fondly call, “Golden Fish”, is loved by his community, much as his people would in due course, appreciate and equally desirous of having him return to his birthplace, Ebiraland, to give them the touch of the stuff he is made of in the public sector, after successful retirement from public service.
It takes doggedness, sincerity and accountability to succeed as the head in any field of human endeavors. For a leader who can marry these valuables, success is the finished product. These attributes are what make Dr. Lateef Bello Babamba developed and became the toast of every civil servant and his contemporaries in the civil service.
Dr. Lateef holds an academic and not decorative Doctorate Degree. The quiet leader of men is one of the unsung ‘HERO’ of Nigeria Patriot.
Dr. Lateef, is a recipient of many Merit Awards, from local and international NGOs. A Distinguished Erudite Administrator, above all, an outstanding Patriot of the Nigeria Nation, who stands in a margin of uniqueness amongst his contemporaries.
I was privileged to have known and established personal relationship with Dr. Lateef Bello Babamba, some decades ago. What I have seen in him, by special grace, even better, was his intrepid and gallant approach in discharging dynamic leadership and responsibility, equal to non in the society, also the traits he always demonstrated as a philanthropist personified.
By: Idris Isah itopa
Media Consultant
Abuja.