By Lola SERIKI- IDAHOSA, Kaduna
You know him? He is Arc. Barnabas Bantex, the deputy governor of Kaduna state,
the only leader with triple “B” at the start of his name, a political
juggernaut and a leader of Southern Kaduna.
A man who do not believe and see himself as a spare tyre to the Kaduna state
governor Mallam Nasir El- Rufai.
Exactly 60 years ago Barnabas Y.
Bala Bantex, was born in 1956 to the family of Pastor Bala Shekari and Mallama
Kako Bala Shekari in ECWA Theological College Kagoro, Marks his birthday.
Bala Shekari, Bantex father was the first Pastor to be so ordained by Sudan
Interior Mission (SIM) –now known as ECWA Church-in the whole Moroa chiefdom.
Just like the missionary journey of
his father, Bala, who I will tell you briefly later, Arch Barnabas Yusuf Bala
popularly known as Bantex, after a successful private business, swing into
politics but opted for the opposition in a Geo- Political Zone and Local
government where a ruling party was just like a religion.
Bantex successfully won election as Local government Chairman. He did not
stop there. He moved into the House of Representative, representing Kaura
Federal Constituency. He was a lonely voice of the then Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN) for the entire North-West. As a first class student, he utilized
that opportunity of a one man gang to become a National figure.
Barnabas Y. Bala Bantex had to overcome a lot of obstacles while growing.
Mallama Kako had enrolled Yusuf Barnabas Bala in what is now Tagwai Sambo
Modern Primary School, Manchok at the age of 4 where his father worked as the
Christian Religious master. At the age of eight, Barnabas Y. Bala Bantex
unfortunately lost his father. Pastor Bala Shekari was still a young man of 35
years when he passed away. Bantex was taken under the care of a foster mother
who was his mother’s younger sister by name Mrs. Rahap Ransom but fondly called
Nee Kambai, after the death of his father. Nee Kambai took up the
responsibility bestowed on her by divine nature seriously. She served as an
additional mother figure to the young man as he completed his educational
degrees and early pursuits in life.
From Tagwai Sambo Modern Primary School, Manchok, the young Barnabas Y.
Bala, due to the exegeses of the time, had to change schools but not without
being commended for doing brilliantly well and at all time even in that early
part of his life that left him without biological parents.
The young man was later admitted into the prestigious Federal Government
College (FGC) Warri after the completion of his Primary Education. This
admission came despite the rigorous nature of the National interview. This was
meant to ensure that only the best and indeed the best candidates were
successful as “Excellence” was pivotal credential for admission.
Barnabas Bala continued on this path of excellence up to the University of
Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria respectively. The climax of this his
humble but diligently pursued effort earned him a Master’s Degree with
distinction in 1981. Earlier, he visited Nairobi, Kenya, to under study the
Country’s Jomo Kenyatta International Conference Centre. This was to enable him
produce his project on the Kaduna International Conference Centre.
The level and quality of academic attainment achieved by the young man
placed him on a high pedestal and made it possible for several “open doors,”
that call for “choice”. Shortly after graduating at ABU Zaria, the University
offered him appointment as Graduate Assistant in 1987. Instead of accepting the
offer at A.B.U. Zaria, the young Architect jettisoned it for another offer at
the University of Jos. He lectured for six years.
Architect Yusuf Barnabas Bala had decided to bid farewell to Bachelor hood
while lecturing at the University of Jos. He married a pretty former Miss Ladi
Cornelius whose beauty has defied old age.
1986 must have been a year of difficult surprises to friends,
contemporaries and all who knew Arch. Barnabas Bala. To him, it was all glory
to God as he opted into the private sector by establishing the BANTEX
CONSORTIUM which brought about the prefix “BANTEX”.
The mettle with which Arch. Bala BANTEX is made up and the speed with which
he reasons are elements that have contributed to making people stand in awe of
him as a truly rare gem. BANTEX who is seen as a gift, has always been
described as “divine.” He has contributed to the myriad of numerous qualitative
and standard but modern achievements.
He has contributed in projects execution, legislative contributions,
administrative and management services. Arch Barnabas Bala (BANTEX) has
endeavoured to leave no one in doubt of his ability and capacity to do what he says
he will do. Any attempt at mentioning the achievements so far recorded by the
Honourable gentleman, The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bantex, will meet to
brisk wall of resentment because I can’t say it all.
Whenever excellence, in whatever way or form it takes, is found good
reasoning will require rewards in turn. In the case of BANTEX, it could be put
the way the Hausa man would say, “Yaro Mara Kiwuya Ya Kan chi Abinchi Mai
Rowa.” Just as the child who is not lazy can access a gift from a greedy man,
it is equally difficult or near impossible to access BANTEX’S product and will
not want to give a reward or appreciate it. It’s truly and always “good
thinking good product” as the Japanese would say.
It is worth nothing that amongst the prominent persons who have had the
opportunity of accessing the product of Bantex and could not go without
commending him include several military governors.
President Olusegun Obasanjo could not help it when he commissioned Turaki
Buga Memorial Hospital, Kagoro built by BANTEX while serving as Chairman of
Kaura Local Government Council. Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
too when he inspected the Medical Centre constructed by BANTEX consortium at
the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) Kuru – Jos saw
the brilliancy and productive nature of our present Deputy Governor. Babangida
did also appreciates BANTEX consortium when he inspected Plateau State
Governor’s Office complex designed by Arch. Barnabas Bala (BANTEX). Gen. Sani
Abacha was never left out of the act of appreciating goodness when he stood by
BANTEX pavilion at the Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex. You can’t just
name them.
Hon. Arch Yusuf Barnabas Bala (BANTEX) as a good Christian is married to
one wife with four children (three males and a female). Without doubt, it will
be noted that excellence begets same as such, seeing BANTEX children depicts
similar attributes as possess by their farther.
The Trace Reporter family wish the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State elected
alongside the Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai under the platform of the
All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Arch Yusuf Barnabas Bala (BANTEX) a Happy
Birthday.
May God continue to strengthen him and give him the wisdom to steer the
ship of purposeful leadership for a better southern Kaduna, Kaduna and the
country at large.
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