Letter to SSA Hon. Abba Isa: Adama Yerima commends Umar Bush’s appointment as ‘Game-Changer’
In a move that has sparked both amusement and intrigue, the Senior Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Disability Matters, Hon. Abba Mohammed Isa has appointed Umar Bush, a renowned comedian, as the Special Adviser on Entertainment.
This decision has been highlighted in a satirical letter from Adama Yerima Balla, the Executive Director of Zadaya-Kanem Polio and Disabilities Initiative, marking a significant departure from the traditional approach to such advisory roles.
The letter, addressed to the Senior Special Adviser, begins with a tone of admiration and surprise: “I write to you today with a sense of amazement and admiration for your recent decision to appoint Umar Bush… as your Special Adviser on Entertainment.” Balla lauds the appointment as a revolutionary shift, suggesting that “laughter might just be the best medicine, even in the most serious of contexts.”
In a country where special advisers are typically experts in their fields, the choice of a comedian is seen as a novel approach. The letter whimsically argues that disability advocacy could benefit from humour, stating, “The appointment of Umar Bush heralds a new era where disability advocacy is infused with humour and levity.”
The letter humorously imagines the new advisory role filled with “policies punctuated by punch lines and strategies sprinkled with satire.” It praises Umar Bush’s reputation for using vibrant and expressive language, claiming that his ability to infuse humour into bureaucratic discussions is a unique asset.
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The satire extends to a broader critique of governance, suggesting that other departments might also benefit from such innovative roles: “Imagine a Special Adviser on Entertainment for the Ministry of Finance, cracking jokes while balancing the national budget,” the letter posits.
In conclusion, Adama commends SSA Abba for their bold and unconventional approach, remarking, “Your vision of blending entertainment with disability advocacy is truly ahead of its time.”
The appointment of Umar Bush promises to introduce a new dynamic to the serious realm of disability advocacy, potentially setting a precedent for how humour can intersect with policy-making.
