How jobs, stronger economy can unite Nigerians, stem sectarian strife

How jobs, stronger economy can unite Nigerians, stem sectarian strife
Post Date March 12, 2018
Comments 24 Comments
Author
Category Agriculture, Business, Democracy, History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, Security

Over the last few months, our nation has had to reopen a fresh chapter in the conversation on internal security, peace and unity in the wake of renewed violence in the North Central and North East of our country. These sad episodes have not only led to questions by young Nigerians (and Nigerians as a whole) around the effectiveness of our security structure, but also questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s unity.

Unity is not something we just have because we are Nigerians, or because someone …

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Women’s Day : going beyond the norm to #PressForProgress

Women’s Day : going beyond the norm to #PressForProgress
Post Date March 8, 2018
Comments 5 Comments
Author
Category History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Uncategorized

On this special day, I join everyone around the world to celebrate women. In a place like Nigeria, the efforts of women are usually most acknowledged in the household—and, indeed, we must never take their efforts on the home front for granted. However, the International Women’s Day offers us a great opportunity to go beyond the home front and celebrate women everywhere: in the household, at the workplace, or in the field.

I celebrate women like Dr. Ola Orekunrin, a medical doctor, helicopter pilot and healthcare …

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For the love of Nigeria

For the love of Nigeria
Post Date January 14, 2018
Comments 45 Comments
Author
Category History, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics

Once again, it is that time of year set aside for us Nigerians to honour members of our country’s Armed Forces who fought in the first and second World Wars, the Nigerian Civil War and those who served or are still serving in different theatres of war, notably the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria.

While many of us took time off from work and other preoccupations to be with our families over the Christmas and New Year holidays, many Nigerian soldiers and members of other …

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Dear I Go Dye, You Are Right, But We Can Fix Nigeria Together

Dear I Go Dye, You Are Right, But We Can Fix Nigeria Together
Post Date December 7, 2017
Comments 115 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, The Economy

Dear I Go Dye,

I read your post on Instagram. It was hard to miss it because it was on every major news website. I would like to say that you were mostly right. The questions you raised in your post are similar to the ones I have been asked by other young people on social media, so I am replying this not just to you as a person, but to all young Nigerians who have asked similar questions.

Firstly, you are right. The Nigerian youth have often …

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Goodwill Message at the 40th anniversary of the Federal Government College Okigwe Old Student Association

Goodwill Message at the 40th anniversary of the Federal Government College Okigwe Old Student Association
Post Date October 30, 2017
Comments 10 Comments
Author
Category Education, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts

Transcript of Goodwill message of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar (GCON), Waziri Adamawa, Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007), and Grand Patron of Federal Government College Okigwe Old Students’ Association at the 40th anniversary of Federal Government College, Okigwe, Imo State at the College Pavilion in Okigwe, Imo State on 28th of October, 2017.

 

I congratulate you on the 40th anniversary of your great school, the Federal Government College, Okigwe. Looking back at Nigeria over the same period of the four decades since your school was established, the mistakes and …

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Nigeria Does Not Need a Rwandan Déjà vu

Nigeria Does Not Need a Rwandan Déjà vu
Post Date August 7, 2017
Comments 16 Comments
Author
Category History, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Security

It has come to my attention that a song disparaging people of Igbo origin, and which wishes them dead, is circulating in some parts of the nation. I totally and unequivocally condemn this development, and I call on all men of goodwill to rise up against this evil.

 

This song is reminiscent of the beginnings of the Rwanda Genocide. Nigerians need to be aware that the Rwanda Genocide was believed to have been ignited by a song titled Nanga Abahutu (I hate Hutus), sung by Rwanda’s …

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Restructuring for A United and Progressive Nigeria

Restructuring for A United and Progressive Nigeria
Post Date July 19, 2017
Comments 50 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, Speeches, The Issues

This is the transcript of my speech at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on the occasion of the Senior Staff Club Lecture Series on Restructuring Nigeria/Award of Excellence in Good Governance on me and my Investiture as Life Member of the Senior Staff Club, University of Nigeria,  Nsukka.
Wednesday 19th July, 2017.

 

Protocol:

 

Let me begin with a rhetorical question: why do I, Atiku Abubakar, favour a restructured Nigeria?

The answer is simple: because I am proudly Nigerian and favour a united Nigeria that offers every man, …

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None of us is as great as all of us

None of us is as great as all of us
Post Date June 20, 2017
Comments 47 Comments
Author
Category History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, Scholarships

The number one problem plaguing Nigeria is not corruption or even the absence of regular power. The number one problem militating against the progress of Nigeria is her lack of unity.

If we can fix this problem, Nigeria will herself be fixed.

In The Old Testament of The Bible, which Christians accept as the Divine scripture, God spoke about mankind in Genesis 11:6 thus: “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible …

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Love is the gift of the season

Love is the gift of the season
Post Date December 25, 2016
Comments 9 Comments
Author
Category Nigeria, Personal Thoughts

Year after year, we join our Christian brothers and sisters around the world to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus and the beginning of what was to be an exemplary life. But, this year, more than ever, Nigerians must pay keen attention to the message of love, peace and sacrifice, which Jesus preached during his time on earth.

Over the past months, a number of dark forces have combined to accentuate divisions in our country. In the areas of politics, religion and tribe, there seem to …

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Strength and Unity in Renewal: Towards a Rebirth of Nigerian Federalism

Strength and Unity in Renewal: Towards a Rebirth of Nigerian Federalism
Post Date December 13, 2016
Comments 9 Comments
Author
Category Personal Thoughts, Press

Remarks by Atiku Abubakar, Chief Presenter at the Public Presentation of the Nigerian Federalism: Continuing Quest for Stability and Nation-Building edited by Okechukwu Ibeanu and Mohammad J. Kuna, at NAF Conference Centre & Suites, Abuja.

The structure and practice of Nigerian federalism have been a key topic of discussion and debates in Nigeria since the amalgamation of the North and South Protectorates in 1914, with varying levels of intensity.

It is good that this edited work by Okechukwu Ibeanu and Mohammad Kuna is contributing to that debate. …

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I’m a proud product of Nigeria’s public school

I’m a proud product of Nigeria’s public school
Post Date November 23, 2016
Comments 16 Comments
Author
Category Charity, Education, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, Press

On Wednesday, 16 November I was at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as chairman of the annual Zik Lecture Series, where I delivered remarks titled “Crisis, Education and Africa’s Recovery”. The speech, as with many I have made in recent times, has been focused on the roles of government and private sector in providing world class education in Nigeria.

Here is a small part of that speech:

“I could not have gone to school if my parents were required to pay for it. That and the importance of …

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Happy International Youth Day

Happy International Youth Day
Post Date August 12, 2016
Comments 13 Comments
Author
Category Personal Thoughts

Two years ago, on the morning of July 19th, while reflecting on the challenges facing our country, especially our youth, I took to Social Media to share my thoughts at the time. I still have the same convictions today, as I did that day; that our focus for the Nigerian youth must remain jobs, quality education and security. This is a priority.

As the World come together to celebrate the International Youth Day, as championed by the United Nations; I see this as …

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Beyond Terrorism: Education and Sustainable Development

Beyond Terrorism: Education and Sustainable Development
Post Date November 14, 2015
Comments 31 Comments
Author
Category Agriculture, Business, Education, History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, Security, Speeches, The Economy, The Issues

Remarks By Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Founder, American University of Nigeria, Yola, at the 10th Founder’s Day Celebration of the University, at Yola

14 November, 2015

Protocol

In a way it is difficult to believe that this is the 10thFounder’s Day of this dream we call AUN, the American University of Nigeria, Yola. The years have passed rather quickly. But they have been very memorable, challenging and rewarding years. That we have turned this wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, so …

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Nigeria must once again make education a priority

Nigeria must once again make education a priority
Post Date August 14, 2014
Comments 18 Comments
Author
Category Education, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, The Issues

The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has just released the results of the May/June 2014 senior school certificate examination.  As was the case last year, mass failure was recorded by Nigerian students.  Only 31.28 percent of the students who sat for the 2014 exam obtained credits in five subjects and above, including Mathematics and English Language.

No one who has been observing the ongoing attitude towards education in Nigeria will be surprised by this.  In the past year alone, industrial action by teachers have dominated the …

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In a race against time

In a race against time
Post Date May 9, 2014
Comments 28 Comments
Author
Category Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Security

With #BringBackOurGirls we have come to a turning point in our contest against terrorism in Nigeria. It is a critical moment for us; the war will not be won without us winning this battle. In short if one is not part of the solution, they become part of the problem.

And at a moment like this we can no longer afford anything but a united commitment to stamping out a great evil that threatens the very existence of the only place we call home.

On social media I have been …

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The business of Agriculture – a personal narrative

The business of Agriculture – a personal narrative
Post Date April 30, 2014
Comments 42 Comments
Author
Category Agriculture, Business, History, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts

My first foray into agriculture, in the 1980s, ended in failure. I bought a large expanse of land on the Yola-Numan highway, and started farming maize. It didn’t work out as well as I thought; the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the mid to late 1980s didn’t help. Today the land is still there, used by many smallholder farmers for their own cultivation. My wife also runs a farm on some of the land, breeding chickens, quail birds and ostriches.

Someday soon we hope to go …

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At Easter, we must imbibe the spirit of love, wherever we may come from

At Easter, we must imbibe the spirit of love, wherever we may come from
Post Date April 19, 2014
Comments 10 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Security, Uncategorized

As we celebrate the Christian season of Easter, I would love to enjoin Christians, and indeed all Nigerians, to internalise the spiritual gains and benefits of the season for an improved society. This is the only path to enthroning a Nigeria where the basic human rights of the rich and poor are respected and upheld, and where citizens can dwell in peace and safety.

We need to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers and, above all, make sacrifice an integral part of our existence. That is …

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My PTDF Story

My PTDF Story
Post Date March 25, 2014
Comments 40 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, History, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, The Economy

I was recently mentioned in a tweet by a follower, @naigerian, who was asking about alleged mismanagement of PTDF funds. For the benefit of @naigerian and other citizens of Nigeria, I will explain how the PTDF was designed to work, and what happened during my time in office.

In order to understand the issue of the PTDF, I should point out that the laws establishing PTDF was designed such that the fund itself could not be directly spent. The PTDF as a fund could only be drawn …

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Free Secondary Education the way to go for Northern Nigeria

Free Secondary Education the way to go for Northern Nigeria
Post Date March 9, 2014
Comments 10 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Education, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, The Issues

On March 3, I read a piece of news which has given me great joy, in the midst of all the bad news coming out of Northern Nigeria. The governors of Northern Nigeria have decided to abolish school fees in secondary schools across the region.

I remember back in the year 2000, while serving as Vice President, I convened the Northern Education Summit, at which far reaching recommendations were made. As the highest ranking elected leader form the northern states, I saw it as my responsibility …

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2014: My thoughts on Nigeria, politics, elections and social media

2014: My thoughts on Nigeria, politics, elections and social media
Post Date January 11, 2014
Comments 27 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts

2014 is an important year for Nigeria. 100 years ago this year, what is today known as Nigeria came into being, after the amalgamation of the territories known as the Northern and Southern Protectorates.

It is also an important year for the world, being the centenary of the start of the 1st World War.

For me personally it marks the silver jubilee of my retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service, as Deputy Director, the second highest office in the Service. On the 28th of April 1989 I …

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Never take unity for granted

Never take unity for granted
Post Date January 1, 2014
Comments 7 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Security

As we mark the centenary celebration of the amalgamation of the Lagos colony with the Northern and Southern Protectorates by the British Colonial occupier forming one country, Nigerians need to pat each other on the back for we have truly come a long way. However, we must redouble our efforts towards building a stronger and more united Nigeria rather than concentrating energies on division or breakup.

The recent clamor by some of Nigeria’s leaders for a renegotiation of the continued being of Nigeria are dishonest and …

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Notes from the 2013 North East Economic Summit

Notes from the 2013 North East Economic Summit
Post Date December 9, 2013
Comments 10 Comments
Author
Category Personal Thoughts, The Economy

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, …

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The letter that embarrassed me

The letter that embarrassed me
Post Date November 27, 2013
Comments 35 Comments
Author
Category Education, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Scholarships

I got a heartbreaking note yesterday, from a lady I have never met, who was a beneficiary of the 2011 round of scholarships.

I knew Godwin a long time ago. He was a brilliant and fearless journalist, and active pro-democracy voice during the darkest days of military dictatorship. Tragically he died in 2006, shot by unknown gunmen on his way home from the office.

Back then, all I could do was to help his family in the best way I could, by including his daughter in that year’s scholarship …

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#AtikuAt67: My Life, My Book, My story

#AtikuAt67: My Life, My Book, My story
Post Date November 25, 2013
Comments 27 Comments
Author
Category History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts

On the 25th of November, 1946, a child was born in Jada, then a small town in what is now Adamawa State, and that child grew up to be me, Atiku. Though born into a humble background, I have been fortunate, and life had been a blessing to me. As an orphan without a father or siblings, and a very poor mother, I grew up alone, but have been blessed by divine providence. I was given an education, against the stern wishes of my father, …

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