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Atiku: Obasanjo's History Intertwined with Nigeria’s
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By Oke Epia,
Vice- President Atiku Abubakar said yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, that President Olusegun Obasan-jo's destiny and history were tied to the destiny and history of Nigeria. Abubakar spoke at the foundation-laying ceremony of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library project where generous donors gave more than N3 billion to support the project.
At least 20 governors attended the ceremony. It was a day of honour and accolades for President Obasanjo as top government functionaries, captains of industries, eminent traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corp fell heads over heels to honour the President.
A letter of goodwill from former American President, Bill Clinton, was read out at the event.
Otunba Mike Adenuga, Chairman, Globacom, donated the largest singular amo-unt of N250 million in his capacity as chief launcher. He was followed by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Industries, who donated N211 million and Mr. Femi Otedola, MD/CEO Zenon Oil, N200 million, among other donations.
Atiku said the history of Nigeria cannot be complete without the history of Obasanjo whom he said he learnt so much from.
According to him, "in the last six years, I consider myself privilege, lucky and honoured to have been the student of President Obasanjo."
Recounting Obasanjo's contribution to nationhood and democratic evolution right from his first stint in office as military Head of State, the Vice-President stressed that "there is no way you can write the history of Nigeria and the bedrock of our democratic evolution without the President's contribution."
He praised the conception of the library project which he said would be the first in Africa taking after similar models in America and called on all Nigerians to support the idea that "will transfer a legacy of eminent values to our children ad children's children."
In his welcome address, host governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, praised the leadership qualities of Obasanjo noting that "President Obasanjo is a leader whose unwavering determination in the pursuit of progress has become the destiny of our nation." He said: "We are here to celebrate a life and to pay glowing tribute to a man of uncommon achievements, a survivor of many a travail, who today stands as the hope of our nation. "Mr. President has always been at the vanguard of the promotion of progressive ideals and developmental initiatives around the globe. He has creditably made his mark in virtually all departments of life, be it the military, business or politics. Since his second coming into governance he has initiated and vigorously pursued many far-reaching reforms, which are geared towards making Nigeria a better place. He has established credible bench marks for good governance, promoted accountability and nurtured transparency in public life. His knack for forthrightness and his uncompromising nationalism are sine qua non for the new Nigeria that we so much desire and deserve."
The governor stated that Ogun State was honoured to host the library and said "the commencement of this project is an eloquent way of telling everyone, be they apprehensive well-wishers or just plain doubting Thomases that Mr. President is already preparing for his retirement from office in May 2007. It also signifies the intention of Mr. President to re-assume his role as a statesman after an eventful sojourn in partisan politics."
In a keynote address delivered by Prof. O.O Akinkugbe, the project was described as a great monument where "both flora and fauna are well provided for, as well as scholarly pursuits, socio-cultural, gastronomic and recreational facilities, guest houses, auditorium, amphitheatre and also inevitably features a Zoo, presumably to give practical expression to "This Animal Called Man." The Emeritus Professor of Medicine of the University of Ibadan whose speech centred on the themes of leadership, transparency and food security, commended the President saying "if we are to do justice to Obasanjo's contribution to the total national effort, we must take on board the whole gamut of the "instruments of governance" and see how his actions through these years of leadership have permeated our values system and shaped the corpus of Nigeria's polity."
In his remarks, Managing Director/Chief Executive of Nigeria Breweries, Eze Festus Odimegwu, highlighted many achievements of the President both on the domestic and international front and stressed that "history will attest to President Obasanjo's constructive role, perseverance, sacrifice and unflinching commitment to national development," adding that "in a pace of six years, he has built a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth."
In attendance at the event were Governors Obong Victor Attah, Akwa-Ibom; Ahmed Markarfi, Kaduna; DSP Alamieseigha, Bayelsa; Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu; James Ibori, Delta; Ali Modu Sheriff, Borno and George Akume, Benue. Others were Sam Egwu, Ebonyi; Senator Rasheed Ladoja, Oyo; Peter Odili, Rivers; Danjuma Goje, Gombe; Abdullahi Adamu, Nasarawa; Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Kogi; Mr. Boni Haruna, Adamawa; Adamu Aliero, Kebbi; Bukola Saraki, Kwara; Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Osun; Sani Yerima, Zamfara; Joshua Dariye, Plateau, and host Gbenga Daniel, Ogun while Mr. Femi Pedro, Lagos State Deputy Governor represented his governor.
Other dignitaries at the occasion included Col. Ahmadu Ali (rtd), National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman of the party's Board of Trustees, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu, his counterparts in Water Resources Ministry, Alhaji Muktah Shagari, Aviation, Isa Yuguda, Commerce, Adamu Waziri, and Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Aminu Saleh, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Soludo, among others.
Captains of Industry at the event included Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Chairman, Standard Trust Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Chairman, First City Monument Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia, CEO/MD, Zenith, and Mr. Tayo Aderinokun, MD/CEO Guaranty Trust Bank, among others.
The list of who-is-who also included, Chief Ojo Madueke, Special Adviser to the President on Constitutional Matters, Prof. Jerry Gana, Political Adviser to the President, Dr. Gbenga Osinowo, Senior Special Assistant on Politics to the President, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Special Assistant to the President on Public Communications, Mr. Akin Osuntokun, Managing Director News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr. (Mrs.) Kema Chikwe, Ambassador M.T Mbu, Senator Jubril Aminu and Aare Muslimu of Yoruba land, Alhaji Aresekola Alao. |
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