I'll shame critics of seven-point agenda, says Yar'Adua
By Kodilinye Obiagwu and Kamal Tayo Oropo
PRESIDENT Musa Umaru Yar'Adua has told critics of his government that he will have the last laugh as the execution of his agenda will vindicate him.
At the launch of three books by the Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, yesterday in Lagos, the President, who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, declared: "Our reluctance to join issues must not be interpreted to mean a yielding of the civic space to those who do not know the names of their councils."
The president's warning came on the heels of a call to leaders to be responsible by the chairman of the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, who was represented by Etsu Nupe, Dr. Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
According to the Sultan, "Good governance and the proper conduct of public affairs cannot be fully realised without the fear of God. Leadership is not only a privilege but one of the greatest responsibilities which God Almighty would place on His creatures. We must therefore view this responsibility as a test and have the good fortune of embracing God's wisdom and of seeking His mercy and blessings. We must all realise that one day, we will stand before our creator to render full account of how we have discharged this onerous responsibility."
For a book launch from a first- time author, the audience was large. They came from all social strata: the academia, leaders of industry, diplomatic circle, the royal fathers, politicians, etc. The hall at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, venue of the launch was packed full.
Among dignitaries at the occasion were Dr. Sam Egwu, Minister of Education who reppresented Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Senate President David Mark.
Others included Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze C.I Ilomuanya; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Obong of Calabar among an array of 35 traditional rulers from across the country, incumbents and former members of the National Assembly, members of the executive council of Imo State, members of the State House of Assembly, representatives of state governors, Prof Chike Edozie, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Prof. Pat Utomi, National Chairman of the Justice Party (JP), Chief Ralph Obioha; Chukwudifu Oputa (SAN), fomer military Administrator of Imo State, Tanko Zubair; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Arthur Nzeribe, 22 army generals and retired generals, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, King Jaja of Opobo, etc.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), congratulated "my brother and colleague," and noted that, "it's no mean achievement to bring forth three books at the same time. Ohakim should remember however that he should be held accountable for the thoughts he put forward in the book."
Recognising the depth of leadership examples that abound in the country, beside the regular references to other leaders from outside our shores, Fashola admitted that, "it was quite profound to listen to the references to Uthman Dan Fodio, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Awolowo and many others about political leadership. The body of work presented by Ohakim would help provide, sometime in the nearest future, alternative sources of reference on the political evolution of the country."
Ohakim, he noted, has joined the plethora of leaders from our clime.
While the rains filled the drainages outside, the donors filled the coffers of the Ohakim Foundation, the beneficiary of the proceeds from the launch. While members of the House of Assembly gave out N5 million, the state Judiciary donated N500,000, the three senators from the state donated N1 million. Arthur Nzeribe donated N1 million.
Corporate donors from the banks, industries and oil companies refused to disclose their "fat cheques" just as individuals fell over one another to be recognized. Some state governments, like Niger, Kwara, Enugu, also sent in handsome donations.
Sam Egwu, who represented Jonathan, congratulated Ohakim and noted that, "as a former governor I know that it is not easy to find the time to write. I praise the governor for producing such books of high quality and contributing to the discourse on leadership."
Prof. Akinyemi, who reviewed "The Courage To Challenge," said the book is evidence of Nigeria's regression and Ohakim's belief that Nigeria will overcome her state of poor development.
"I congratulate Ohakim on his show of scholarship in this book. As an author myself, I know how tedious it can be to cross-reference; I cited over 40 cross-references. It is a book that has been 17 years in gestation and I believe it is not possible to write it in two years."
The other two books, were reviewed by Dr. Sam Amadi.
Ohakim, who stood for 23 minutes to hear his citation read, cautioned that the book: The Courage of Challenge should not be mistaken for an account of his stewardship in office. He said the book that would treat that aspect was in the works. The two other books are Pushing The Limits and Challenging New Frontiers.
According to him, being governor is not as important as affecting the lives of the people in a positive and enduring way.
On the way forward for the country, Ohakim declared: "For the country to achieve her set goals and objectives, every Nigerian must endeavour to start asking the right questions."
He said Nigerians should desist from gloating over the shortcomings of the country because "the failure of Nigeria is failure of every Nigerian; it is a failure of all."
The governor called on the media to return to the primary goal of agenda setting as "this is where the future of the country lies."
Maduekwe had caused a stir when he told the crowd of a "meeting with the United States President, Barack Obama, some 24 hours to the latter's trip to Ghana."
Taken aback by the wild but derisory ovation, the minister chided the crowd and noted that the immediate response was a testimony of how low the self-esteem of Nigerians has plummeted.
"Our self-esteem, as a nation, has plummeted so low. Otherwise, why should a meeting between President Obama and an External Affairs minister of Nigeria sound such a big stuff?"
Unruffled, he recounted the meeting, and disclosed "the two things President Obama told me when I met him. He held me by the shoulders and said to me. Mr. Minister, I would soon be visiting your country. Secondly, 'wherever Nigeria goes, Africa also goes.'"
Maduekwe said this was a challenge and call that the country must "improve her democratic culture, insist on the rule of law and not relent in the fight against corruption. "The stakes are high. And those of us in position of policy -making are already talking to ourselves."
To those he described as taking delight in painting the country dark always, Maduekwe said , "candle lighting is an admission that there is darkness to be confronted. It is not a display of complacency, or denial of reality.
"The government will continue to join hands with those Nigerians who reason that even though there are daunting problems and serious challenges that require our unified response as a people, the capacity to confront and address them is not remote, and that each person, whether leader or led can be the change he or she wishes to see in Nigeria. That is the essential challenge of the gift, which the likes of Ohakim represent.
"Let it be clear that the Government will not be distracted by the daily torrent of abuse and disinformation that is heaped on its doors by those who ought to know better. Our reluctance to join issues must not be interpreted to mean a yielding of the civic space to those who do not know the names of their councils. It is merely a reflection that we are too busy to reciprocate their rhetoric of hate. In the course of time, the outcomes of our commitment to the Seven-point agenda and the overall programmes of government will vindicate us."
