Leaders honour Adesanya, lament state of the nation
By Kamal Tayo Oropo
EMINENT Nigerians yesterday reviewed some burning national issues and called for openness in governance by the country's leaders.
They spoke at the First Abraham Adesanya Memorial Lecture and launch of a book titled: "In the name of fatherland - A compilation of tributes to a legend," in honour of the late renowned lawyer, politician and leader of the Yoruba.
In remembering the late icon, they were saddened the country was unable to "fix little things for the wellbeing of most Nigerians."
Among those who spoke at the event held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Victoria Island were Catholic priest, Rev. Father Hassan Mathew Kukah, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Itse Sagay, who said transparency by the government and its institutions would make the citizens to have confidence in their leaders.
Kukah appealed to Nigerians to learn from the past and stop looking for scapegoats in their quest for quality leadership.
The event, chaired by Ukiwe, was attended by associates of the late Adesanya, members of his family and captains of industry. Others were former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Obong Victor Attah; Osoba's deputy in office, Alhaji Gbenga Kaka; wife of former Lagos State governor, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, who represented her husband, Bola Tinubu; and former Personal Assistant to the late Adesanya and now Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Members of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba group Adesanya led who were in attendance were Chiefs Reuben Fasonranti, Ayo Adebanjo, Olanihun Ajayi and Senator Biyi Durojaiye.
There were also Senators Olorunnimbe Mamora, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) represented by the National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, and Chief Jimi Agbaje - who was the master of ceremony - Secretary of The Patriots, Chief Ladi Williams (SAN) and a representative of the chairman of Dangote Group.
They commended Adesanya for his steadfastness and commitment to the Nigeria project.
Kukah, who was the guest speaker, chided Nigerians for what he called "moving forward on reverse gear." He said Nigerians were fond of saying that a past leader was better than the present, adding that those often referred to as leaders were not necessarily leaders.
Calling on those in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) struggle with Adesanya to put their experience during their travails under the military regimes in print for others to learn from, Kukah wondered why Adesanya refused to serve as a minister, or in any other capacity under the Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar regime.
His words: "Chief Obafemi Awolowo disliked military regime, but his contribution during the Gen. Yakubu Gowon-led military regime is unquantifiable. Bola Ige too served under a government he did not believe in their ideology. Alhaji Lateef Jakande also served under Gen. Sani Abacha. Even Prof. Wole Soyinka served under the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida regime. And I know that Adesanya was also on very good terms with Gen. Abdulsalam. So, why he refused to serve under that government I may never know."
Ukiwe enjoined Nigerians to learn from the hard times the nation had passed through.
On the disunity within the Afenifere, Fasonranti said it was unfortunate that the crisis was allowed to persist for long. He said, however, that the problem was gradually dying a natural death as what joined members together was greater than the so-called division.
Adebanjo said anywhere Adesanya was being celebrated he would be there, even if he disagrees with the mode of invitation and order of programme. "I cannot be treated on the periphery. I reject it. I will not beg to be recognised," he told The Guardian.
Sagay said the events in Ekiti State were reminder of the shame of the nation. "What are we talking about here, election into just some 69 wards in 10 local councils and all we can tell the world is the story of shame. I'm really shocked. I don't know what to make of this thing. It is embarrassing", Sagay told The Guardian.
Utomi, who said Adesanya represented the quintessential part of politics, as "a man who never became a senior advocate not because he was not a great lawyer but because he thought it reduced him to apply," could not hold back his disappointment that the country cannot organise what he called a mere re-run election."
Osoba said it was time for people to emulate the Georgian example. "Like people did in Bangkok and fought for what they believed in; that is the enthronement of democracy. This is not the war of the Army or the war of gun battle, but the war of the people."
