Nigeria, Feb. 26 -- Mallam Nuhu Ribadu became a household name in Nigeria during the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. He was a prominent face in the small team of reformers put together by Obasanjo to set Nigeria on the path of democratic progress and economic prosperity in the dawning years of this Fourth Republic. I guess I was too young to care about politics and politicians at that time, so I do not have any memory or personal impression of the man Ribadu during that period.

The first time Ribadu had a direct impact on my life and future career was in 2010, when I heard him give an inspiring message to the Nigerian youth. As a matter of fact, it was Mallam Nasir El-Rufai's remark that directed me to Ribadu's spee...