It was a brief moment on social media. Former Lagos State governor and minister as Trojan under Buhari, Babatunde Raji Fashola, appears in court. We do not know the case or the status of the client. It was just a sentence as the tall attorney rises to introduce himself. Here we have it. Fashola goes to court.
It is interesting because the man has shown that real men can have a life outside politics. Political career is a good thing, and everyone with a social conscience should aspire to it. But it ought not be the be-all and end-all of a career. He has been in politics since he became chief of staff to the now president but the then governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He became governor for eight years and minister for another eight approximately. He spent a huge chunk of his life in the arena.
He is a lawyer and good one at that, hence he is a SAN. Others should learn from him. One, having served in office, they can bring their acumen back to enrich the civil society. Two, many of them have acquired resources and ideas about a better society, and they mobilise them for good in charities for education, healthcare, environment, etc. such engagements can occupy them for a lifetime. Jimmy Carter is known for his work after he was president than his White House exploits. It is a pity that many of them think a reward for political office is another political office. Three, they should allow others a chance to try their talent as well. There is a certain selfishness that makes some of them angry when they are not called back for the meaty prize. They ignore their past privileges, the constipation of opportunities they have had, and they should bow for others.
Aristotle noted that to enter politics one must have first done well in a profession. These days, persons leave school to become politicians.
