By: Dr. James Bwala
At sixty, a person does not merely celebrate age; he celebrates a journey. He celebrates the people he has influenced—this includes yours sincerely. He celebrates the challenges he has faced in life and survived, the princiles he has defended, and the lives he has touched. Today, I celebrate you—not only as my brother, friend, leader, and boss, but also as a man whose life has demonstrated the meaning of loyalty, courage, resilience, and service to a great nation, Nigeria.
September is our month of birth, and this reflection brought in thousands of memories, lessons, and gratefulness. I watched how you carried the cross, taking the bullets and still standing strong not because you are made of iron but because you love Nigeria and everyone you came across on the line of this journey. Your story is one of remarkable growth and enduring impact. Since 2007, when you came into public service as Honorable Commissioner and impacted five ministries under the Modu Sheriff administration, you have demonstrated a unique leadership style I had loved long before you came into the public glare. Today, our relationship has grown beyond politics, public office, or professional association. Over the years, it has developed into a bond rooted in brotherhood, trust, and shared experiences.
You have always been the big brother, a good friend, an exemplary leader, and a kind boss. Time has tested that bond between us, but it has never weakened our resolve to watch each other’s back. I am grateful to have you on my side; it was a privilege, and I never took it for granted. I learned the ways of patience from you and saw the keys that opened the gates that define loyalty. You live by it, and instead of breaking down, every challenge has strengthened the conviction that our relationship is greater than the circumstances that first brought us together. I see that in your current relationship with people in the corridors of power, and I wish people had observed and have drawn lessons from your teachings not only about power but also about loyalty, trust, steadfastness, and beliefs.
I recalled when you stood by me during my sad moments, when I lost my dear mother. Your kind words sink deep—’ She was our mother! ‘ you said. I recalled a text of your reply to Professor Aminu, who asked how much you are paying me for writing about you in defense and for promoting you, and you said, ‘My relationship with James is beyond money.’ ‘That sinks deep. I recalled when the permanent secretaries came to pay homage to you, and you said, ‘Look at that man standing by the door—James Bwala. We have been together through thick and thin. ”That can only come from a brother.
I often remember myself as a young boy and first time into the secondary school domitary in the 80s – Yerima House at Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Potiskum. I remember the young man who grew into adulthood along the street of late retired custom officer’s, Alhaji Usman Alkali (of blessed memory) in Bullimkuttu-Abuja, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. I remember the shy smile, the uncertainties of youth, and the gradual transformation into a man learning to understand life, leadership, and responsibility. Through many stages I try to learn and fate brought us in that that journey, I tried to learn about people and meeting you; hearing you speak and envisioning your thoughts and reading your lips makes the difference in learning. You were not merely a superior or public figure but someone who saw potential, offered guidance, and treated me as a younger version of yourself.
Our relationship has never been distant or ceremonial. It has been real, personal, and sometimes humorous. I remain the young man you would often punch in the stomach in your familiar, brotherly way as my governor in Borno state and I imagine, that, if I were a boxing bag, then I must proudly admit that I contributed immensely to the building of your muscles. Those moments, though playful, represent something deeper: the comfort and familiarity that exist between people who have shared many years together. They remind me that true leadership is not always expressed through formal speeches or public gestures. Sometimes, it is reflected in the ease with which people relate to one another, in the freedom to laugh, correct, challenge, and remain connected.
Over the years, standing with you has not always been easy. I have received both accolades and criticism for my loyalty. Many moves were made by people to disconnect this relationship, but we stood and overcame. Those who hate you, I got the percentage for standing with you, and some people praised my courage while others questioned my judgment. I became, in the eyes of many, the nightmare of those who wanted your downfall on newspaper pages. They could not understand why I remained consistent when the political atmosphere became charged and difficult with voices, pens, and inks calling for your replacement, but this boy keeps faith as fate brought us together. They could not understand why I stood on the deadly ground, why it matters to me when silence would have been easier and safer. Many wondered about the mystery of this relationship, and they asked questions. To some, I have no answer, and to others, especially those I rejected their move to trade you for cheap blackmail, those you already knew, I simply said, “He is my brother.” Some still wonder how I could read your lips from a distance or understand your position before you expressed it publicly. I told them this is the power of brotherhood.
Others believed that the statements, revelations, and positions I expressed on newspaper pages were the products of secret conversations between us. They imagined that every defense was calculated, paid for, or politically motivated. Many asked how much you were paying for the promotions, public statements, and defense of your personality. Their questions revealed how difficult it is for some people to believe in loyalty that is not purchased, especially in a society where relationships are often measured by personal gains and benefit. I understand their fears, particularly as genuine brotherhood can appear mysterious.
Indeed, like you told those who want to know. You gave them the answer yourself: my journey with you goes beyond money and political alliance. It is a journey built on brotherhood that has existed for decades. It is founded on memories, trust, affection, and conviction. I told Alhaji Bana Shettima I had stood with you not because he came to ask me to move into the campaign train ahead of the 2023 elections but because I knew the man behind the public image. I knew your character beyond the headlines, your struggles beyond the political battles, and your humanity beyond the office you occupied.
Public life often attracts both admiration and hostility. Leadership exposes a person to praise from those who benefit from his decisions and condemnation from those who oppose his direction. In such an environment, it becomes difficult to distinguish between genuine friends and temporary allies. Many people remain close during moments of comfort but disappear when controversy begins. Others stand beside a leader only when doing so is profitable. Your experience, however, has revealed the value of relationships that endure beyond power, position, and political advantage.
You have lived well, and you have led well. These words are not empty compliments; they are conclusions drawn from years of observation. To live well is to maintain dignity in the face of pressure, to remain committed to one’s principles, and to treat people with respect regardless of their status. To lead well is to accept responsibility, make difficult decisions, inspire confidence, and continue moving forward even when criticism becomes overwhelming. By these measures, you have distinguished yourself.
Leadership is not the absence of mistakes or opposition. No leader escapes criticism, and no public journey is free from controversy. True leadership is demonstrated in the ability to withstand challenges without losing one’s identity. It is shown through resilience—the strength to rise after setbacks, to learn from difficult seasons, and to continue serving with purpose. Your journey has included moments of trial, but those moments have not defined or defeated you. Instead, they have revealed the depth of your character.
At sixty, you represent more than a successful individual. You represent a generation that has witnessed major changes in our society, our politics, and our institutions. You have carried responsibilities that required courage and endurance. You have interacted with people from different backgrounds and religion, managed difficult situations, and occupied spaces where every decision attracted public attention. Through it all, you have continued to build relationships and maintain a sense of humanity.
The significance of this milestone is therefore not limited to the number sixty (60). It is a celebration of experience. It is a recognition of the wisdom gained from years of service, the lessons learned through adversity, and the value of the people who have walked with you. It is also an opportunity for those of us who know you personally to testify to the qualities that public commentary often overlooks.
I testify that you are more than the titles you have held. You are more than the offices you have occupied and the political roles you have played. You are a brother who has shaped my life, a friend whose presence has endured, a leader whose example has influenced many, and a boss who has taught me the importance of commitment. Your impact cannot be measured only by official achievements. It can also be seen in the loyalty you inspire, the confidence you build, and the memories you leave in the lives of those around you.
My own story is inseparable from the story of our relationship. From the boy at Yerima House to the young man from Bullimkuttu, my development has unfolded alongside the lessons and experiences we shared. I have learned that loyalty requires courage. I have learned that friendship must be tested before it can be trusted. I have learned that leadership demands both strength and compassion. Most importantly, I have learned that a relationship built on genuine brotherhood can survive seasons that would destroy ordinary alliances.
As you celebrate your sixtieth birthday, I want you to know that your life has been meaningful and your leadership has mattered. The people who stood with you did so because they saw something worth defending. The people who trusted you did so because you gave them reasons to believe. And those of us who call you brother do so because our relationship has grown beyond convenience.
At sixty, you are still the best—not because you are without flaws, but because you are authentic, resilient, and committed. You have continued to prove that greatness is not defined by the absence of challenges; it is defined by the courage to face them. You have lived through changing times, shifting alliances, public controversies, and demanding responsibilities, yet you remain standing with dignity.
Today, I celebrate the man, the leader, and the brother. I celebrate the years behind you and the possibilities ahead. I celebrate the laughter, the arguments, the public battles, the private encouragement, and every experience that has strengthened our bond. I celebrate a sexagenarian of our time—a man whose life reflects service, loyalty, and perseverance.
May the years ahead bring you greater wisdom, renewed strength, sound health, and enduring peace. May your leadership continue to inspire, and may your life remain a source of blessing to your family, friends, colleagues, and the wider society. May you enjoy the rewards of the good you have done and the lives you have touched.
Today, September 2, 2026, I celebrate you. Happy 60th birthday to my brother, my friend, my leader, and my boss. Our journey goes beyond money, politics, or public recognition. It is a journey of brotherhood—one that has endured for decades and will remain cherished for many more years to come.
Bwala, PhD, is the author of the book Duty & Courage and writes from Abuja.
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