By Atiku Abubakar
Last week I attended the North East Economic Forum in Gombe State, organised by the leadership of the six states that make up the North East geopolitical zone: Adamawa (my home state), Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi states.
As you all know, that part of Nigeria has sadly become synonymous with terror and mindless violence. When Boko Haram is mentioned Borno and Yobe states immediately come to mind – an wave of destruction and bloodletting that has left nowhere untouched: schools, religious houses, highways, government buildings, the airport.
I have spoken in the past about how some Governors focused on setting up and arming gangs of youths to help them win elections, and how the beginnings of the militancy of Boko Haram (and this applies also to militants in the Niger delta) can be traced to that.
All through the summit I recall thinking how important it is for the region’s elite to gather to tell ourselves harsh truths; to acknowledge and face up to the many problems that the area is grappling with. By omission or commission many of these problems have happened on our watch, and posterity will not forgive us if we do not tackle them with urgency and with vision.
This year’s summit focused on agriculture, education, and infrastructure development, three areas I’m very passionate about.
Farming was one of the first businesses I went into, many years ago, producing crops on several hundred acres of land near Yola. It didn’t quite work out as planned, but I am no less convinced of the role agriculture can and must play in providing employment and economic development across Nigeria.
Most of you will also know where I stand regarding education; my own story of striving to get an education in spite of my family’s poor finances, to growing up with a strong belief in self-improvement, to eventually building world-class educational institutions in Yola, one of the major cities in North-eastern Nigeria.
I believe that North East Nigeria can surmount all of its many challenges and go on to fulfill the immense potential it possesses, like every other part of Nigeria. Of course this will involve politicians putting aside their political differences and working in efficient partnerships. The redemption of the North East of Nigeria is something that requires that we all rise beyond squabbling and party labels and ideological differences. The only ideology that will count will be ‘development’. And it was inspiring to see the turnout in Gombe earlier this week – many of the persons gathered to talk about the future of the region would normally be seen disagreeing about party matters on the pages of the newspapers.
I once again commend the organisers of the summit, and I hope that all the ideas and recommendations put forward will be implemented. This is also an opportunity for me to re-assert my commitment to the development of North East Nigeria, and the entire country. I’d like my businesses in the region to create more jobs, provide more alternatives for young people who might otherwise be tempted to give in to their disaffection and pick up guns and bombs. I’d like to see a North-East that is known, not for its armed gangs and death tolls, but instead for the quality of its schools, and the size of its food exports, and the abundance of its wind and solar farms.
In closing, as another election season approaches, I’d like to again ask all contenders, wherever they may be in Nigeria, to refrain from assembling or deploying youth gangs. I can confidently make this call because it is not the type of politics that I play; and it is not the type of politics that will guarantee a safe and prosperous future for Nigeria.
We have all seen the result of arming youths to gain electoral advantage. The monsters we create today will come back to devour all of us, the creators included, tomorrow.
Yea! I believe you sir and i know that you are one of the person that have good feelings for the masses, so we’re still praying that God should give you the chance to rule this nation because i can see changes in your eye…may God help you and all amen.
I have the priveledge of attending the summit reporting for my paper (Daily Trust). I even had the chance to have a brief discusion with you alongside other reporters on your way out. I am impressed by the issues raised and the promises made during the summit, but people like you need to do more for the region. The youth need support from wealthy individuals to provide means of earning their livelihood as you have started putting up institutions that will employ them. Like you said, if there is coperation among all the people of the region, nothing will be impossible. May Allah help you to fulfill the promises you have made in order to develop the region.
i wish you the best in your political and may god rewarding you with the president of nigeria
Turaki,u hav shown true nd sincere commitment 2 d growth nd development of that zone nd Nigeria @ large! I wuld enjoy U sir to consolidate on dat devoid of all criticisms!…..Allaah yajazamaninka!
Turaki I salute you.
Excellentia….I believe Agriculture can still works only the right tools and techs are not applied.I’ve been downloading matreials with little Naira I got everyday so that genuine investors will have more “factuals”‘ to make credible+profitable decisions fast..Don’t worry Turakin, Nigeria will feed ECOWAS and any community that happens to be chaalenged with disaster in the future.
Sir, i con-core with you in all ramification 4 you are indeed a true leader that we need in this material time,you are our Madiba.
TURAKI MYPOLITICAL MENTOR RIDE ON SIR…. 2015 IS YOUR TIME
Sir i believe you can do better in 2015. we the young Nigerian looking forward to see you works like him,talk like him,and fought like him. You are our Nigerian Nelson mandela.Sir,He was born in 1918 unsung. He died in 2013 a hero, a world citizen. He was known, respected and loved across borders and oceans. He was a true example of a leader indeed. In life, he went through all phases. From just an unknown ANC member, to a freedom fighter, called a terrorist by the white supremacist government, to a
prisoner, then a president and a hero. Mandela discovered his purpose on earth early in life and he relentlessly pursued it even at great risks to his life. His focus was his country and his people. He wanted freedom for them, he fought for it and he got it. He had the dogged determination of a runner who is focused on getting the ultimate prize. He did not fail. Even at great deprivations and personal harm and injury, he put down his life on the line for what he believed in. Just like Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame to lay down His life for His friends, wretched and filthy sinners like me, Mandela endured it all to give His nation a new beginning and a great future. He did not try to gain his life but instead put his life on the line for his beliefs and eventually gained it. God who is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him and do His will, gave him life, long life, and honour and fame that all the ill-gotten wealth stolen by Nigerian leaders past and present can never get. He became a president after a wicked and unjust prison term to lay a solid foundation for a great future for South Africa and its people. His focus was not to loot his country’s treasury and amass wealth for himself and his future generations yet unborn. He didn’t build or own mansions in world capitals. He did not own industries and factories and companies by himself or through a front. His focus was not driving the best and latest cars or owning bullet- proof vehicles. His focus was his people and his nation. Such a selfless leader who can find in Nigeria?
No wonder he was loved beyond description by his people and revered by all and sundry.
In all his health challenges, not once did he seek medical remedy in Germany, Spain, France and other capitals around the western world but in South Africa. He laid a solid foundation for South Africa, the same country that Nigerians flock to in droves today and go through all the pain and stress associated with visa application to South Africa! No wonder South Africans kept candle light vigils at the hospitals he was admitted at different times and in his home!
Today, Nigeria is in need of a honest and selfless leader like Mandela, who will rise above ethnic affiliations and all divisive tendencies to lay a solid foundation for the future and lead us out of this mess that our past and present leaders have plunged us into. A leader whose focus will not be building mansions, buying cars, living flamboyant lifestyles and laying up wealth for his future generations. A leader who will be too honest to behold the iniquity of corruption( just as the eyes of the Lord are too holy to behold iniquity) that has been the area of excellence and specialization of all our leaders past and present and who will fight it to a standstill with all the powers at his disposal. Where is the leader that will refuse to lay up treasures for himself on earth but in heaven where robbers cannot break into or moth destroy?
Where is the leader that will give Nigeria a solid foundation for a great future just like Mandela? We need a leader who will fight the twin evil of bad leadership and corruption. When will he emerge a selfless, honest, transparent, upright truly nationalist leader, not just some shoeless clueless pretenders?
At every level, Nigeria lacks great leaders. square pegs occupy round holes. where are the governors, ministers, commissioners, local government chairmen that will make a difference in Nigeria? what about VC’s, Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors who will make positive changes in their domains and shift focus from stealing monthly allocations and IGR’s? any wonder our Universities and hospitals are nothing to write about?
When will Nigerians take up the fight for a better Nigeria and insist that enough is enough? When will our leaders realize the fact that promotion, wealth, riches, fame etc, do not come from the east or west but from God alone who freely gives to whosoever He wills? Mandela did not pursue fame, riches, wealth, promotion etc but he got it all by the grace if God who rewarded him for his struggles and sincerity of purpose. All the amassed ill-gotten wealth stolen from Nigeria’s treasury by our leaders past and present, cannot give all these things that God gave Mandela freely. Our leaders should begin to realize that a good name is better than silver or gold. We have a lot to learn from this man called NELSON Mandela.
Mandela discovered his purpose. Have you discovered yours? If no, seek God. If yes, pursue and fulfill it.
Mandela, you fought a good fight and you have conquered. You have finished the race.You became the compass and yardstick to measure other leaders especially in Nigeria. You will forever be alive in our hearts. Your light maybe out but you live on in us. May your type emerge in Nigeria someday to get us out of the dungeon, damage and darkness that our evil leaders have plunged us since independence. May that person come soon to get this sleeping giant from the floor and make her fulfill her potentials and take its place rightful place in the comity of Nations.