Abdul’aziz Zubairu Mu’azu is the son of CP Zubairu Mu’azu, who is Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, who has served in the same capacity in Niger and Akwa Ibom states and was onetime Head of Operations at the Lagos Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In this interview, he talks about his father’s life outside work, and more. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: How would you describe your father?
Mu’azu: My father is a mentor and a role model. He is a man of integrity, peace and discipline. In fact, I always pray that Almighty Allah grants me the gift of inheriting his lifestyle. However, not everything about him is perfect and he has his shortcomings.
DT: What fun childhood memories do you have about him?
Mu’azu: I remember when we were kids and he would take us to the beach in Lagos. We usually go out to relax during weekends and always had great moments.
DT: What was your relationship with him like when you were growing up?
Mu’azu: We had a wonderful father and son relationship. I had a very good upbringing. Education was at the centre of our lives. He always advised us to live a moderate lifestyle and said everything happens in its own time. He taught us to be content with what we had and thank God for it.
DT: When did you realise that your father is a well-known Nigerian?
Mu’azu: It was when he got posted to the Lagos State command, which I think is a strategic command due to the status of Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria. He is always in the news, either print or broadcast showcasing his achievements and efforts to rid Lagos of criminals. I believe he is doing his best in curbing crime and ensuring that there is peace and security in the state. I am very sure that Lagosians can testify to that.
DT: What misconceptions about him would you like to correct?
Mu’azu: I don’t think there is any I would like to correct. He has his good and bad side like any other human. But I thank God that many people see my father as a good and incorruptible police officer, and that is what he really is.
DT: What easily get him upset and why?
Mu’azu: What easily gets my dad upset is when someone is not straight forward with him. He is a straight forward man who doesn’t like lies. He hates shady activities and always likes people to do the right thing.
DT: If he wasn’t a police officer, what other profession do you think he would have excelled at?
Mu’azu: I think he would have made a good teacher. He loves knowledge, because apart from his first degree, he holds two master’s degree and a Diploma in Public Administration. Also, before he joined the police, he was a lecturer in School of Agriculture in Bauchi State. So, I am very sure that he would definitely have excelled in the teaching profession. Even as a police officer, he was an instructor in the EFCC Training and Research Institute which is now EFCC Academy.
DT: What attributes of his have you imbibed?
Mu’azu: His character as an incorruptible police officer has made a tremendous impression on me. Therefore, I made a promise to myself never to be corrupted no matter the circumstance I find myself in. So, I will keep trying to do that with the help of Almighty Allah.
DT: How does he relax?
Mu’azu: He watch educative programmes on television together after dinner, mainly news and current affairs.
DT: When you are with him these days, what do you talk about?
Mu’azu: We talk about life issues and what we should always do to succeed, especially because I am the eldest child in the house. He likes to call me Head Boy.
DT: What is his favourite food?
Mu’azu: His favourite is rice and beans or then Tuwon Shinkafa with vegetable soup.
