To Relax, Wada Plays Golf, Tennis and Reads

The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada says he relaxes by playing golf, tennis and reading newspapers. He spoke to Jaiyeola Andrews

The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada has said he relaxes by spending time to play golf and tennis, but confessed that since he became governor, he had not been able to do so. “But once in a while I take a walk for 4 or 5 km and I read the Quran as much as I can. I also read newspapers when I can. So, these are the few things I do to relax.

“It is almost impossible now to sit with your friends and chat because there are many people always waiting to see you. I thank God that I have done four years substantially and successfully. I look forward to a more quiet life, where I can do things I love to do,” he told THISDAY shortly before he left office as the governor.

On how hectic the work of a governor was and the part that is most challenging and how he overcame the stress in office, Wada confirmed the job was super hectic.

According to him, he usually woke up by 5.30am every morning and never went to bed before 1: 00 am. He claimed his body clock was so bad that he could not sleep before 1: 30 am because of the nature of the work.

“Everybody wants to see you as the governor; everybody wants something from you because they think you can solve their problems and you are for them because you asked them to vote for you. So, I try my best to serve them and to attend to as many people as possible.

“I probably had one of the busiest itineraries of any governor in the country in terms of the number of people I agree to see. The main challenge of the job was trying to satisfy so many people across the 21 local governments, across each ward of the state and the bigger challenge is the lack of financial resources.

“The money that comes in is hardly enough to pay salaries and people expect you to build roads, electricity, water, schools, infrastructure and things like that.

“The other challenge has to do with internally generated revenue. Everybody hammers on internally generated revenue these days but in a State like Kogi, which is mainly a rural state with very few industries, where do you generate revenues? Is it from the poor people? How much tax can they pay? These are issues that put you under a lot of pressure and pose a lot of challenges for you,” Wada said.

The former governor disclosed that while in office, his family was relegated to the background because, “I am a workaholic and I have been so all my life.

“I have always tended to put my job before my family because the job provides the money to feed my family but unfortunately, that is a wrong attitude because the family is actually more important anyways because it is a thankless job. But they do understand that I have been like that all my life but they should not worry I would compensate them now that I would be out of office.”

Now out of office, Wada promised to devote a lot of his time to his wives and children, stressing that he was looking forward to his grandchildren to knowing them better, play with them and teach them to play tennis, golf and things like that.

Once in a while I take a walk for 4 or 5 km and I read the Quran as much as I can. I also read newspapers when I can. So, these are the few things I do to relax…It is almost impossible now to sit with your friends and chat because there are many people always waiting to see you. I thank God that I have done four years substantially and successfully. I look forward to a more quiet life, where I can do things I love to do