The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Remembering Isiaka Adeleke at 66 posthumous birthday

    Remembering Isiaka Adeleke at 66 posthumous birthday

    By Olumide Lawal

    The first Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, never throughout his political life; used coercive force to realize his desires among his followers. Rather, he refined power and made it pleasant and motivational. His priority was collective goal achievement, instead of appropriating success in his various political offices to himself.

    Senator Adeleke made power user-friendly and absorsive.

    The late Asiwaju of Edeland applied resources meaningfully and impactful for the benefit of a greater number of people, thereby spreading joy around those he held power in trust for.

    Today marks his 66th posthumous birthday anniversary. Even death, Adeleke remains a political jewel of inestimable value and a golden fish with no hiding place.

    His political adventure was a departure from what obtains today among power-wielders, who are obsessed with it for their personal selfish interest. In his 63 years sojourn on earth, he expanded the coast of visionary leadership that enabled his political influence felt in Osun State and beyond. His political structure is enduring and superbly intact.

    In death, he remains a man of peace and an apostle of politics without bitterness.

    A lover of the grassroots people, a stylish, consummate and accomplished statesman of no mean order, Adeleke taught his followers that they should abhor malice, grudge and hatred in their minds toward fellow men.

    He never saw politics as dirty because he was a man with good, large, forgiving heart and beautiful soul. All these attributes he applied very admirably to his practice of partisan politics. He gave politics the required courtesy and correct social application. Not for him political acrimony.

    Above all, he was a firm believer in the supremacy of God Almighty as the Author and Finisher of our faiths. He held firmly to his Creator throughout this lifetime.

    Since Senator Adeleke transited to glory about four years ago, the Adeleke dynasty continues to hold high the political and philanthropic flags.

    His biography being put together by the Adeleke University in Ede should not be abandoned. The former governor would be happy in his grave with copies of the biography in various homes, offices and schools across the globe. He was a man of high intellectual calling who made pursuance of education by the young people his cardinal objective.

    A very organised man with the gift of native intelligence, which he used maximally to greater advantage of greater number of people.

    There are more mileage to be covered to immortalize this man. There is the need to commence processes toward the establishment of the Isiaka Adeleke political museum through a veritable curator. The museum should serve as a centre of excellence for his political activities/career and positive contributions to humanity. His various personal items relating to his larger-than-life stature should be ably displayed at the museum for preservation for generations yet unborn.

    As worshippers gather at the Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Mosque,today for his 66th posthumous birthday, may all the prayers offered serve as forgiveness of his sins and Aljanat Fridaus.

    As you send sweet fragrance from your grave as a sign of your love for us, we also love you more.

    • Lawal was Special Adviser to the late Senator Adeleke

  • Which way Nigeria?

    Which way Nigeria?

    By Kunle Sotibi

    SIR: In 1914, there was an artificial birth of a country which the British colonial masters named Nigeria. Before then, Nigeria had different territories with varieties of cultures, traditions and civilization. By 1960, the amalgamated nation was detached from the apron springs of the colonialists. To Nigerians, independence has been given but invariably it was the time when disunity visited.

    After independence, there were a couple of crises, starting from political crisis down to ethnic riots (between/among regions). Six years after independence, the military took over.

    After the military ascension, the problem of ethnicity and loyalty to one’s ethnic group also crept to the military. For example, the Hausa soldiers felt cheated from the action of the first coup because majority of the politicians killed during the coup were mainly Hausas. What followed was a counter-coup.

    Next, in 1967 the southeast, the Igbo felt secession was the next best course hence the three years of civil war. The Nigerian Army defeated Biafra and after the war General Yakubu Gowon, the military head of state declared no victor, no vanquished.

    Thereafter, Gowon initiated the 3Rs policies to: reconcile, to reconstruct and to rehabilitate the nation after the three years of destruction. Unfortunately, decades after, the country still battles with the problem of disunity.

    Today, many Nigerians are clamouring for restructuring. The south in particular wants to return to regionalism as practiced during the first republic. Because the states are not safe due to the current unitary policing system, they want state police. The South-south complains of being cheated in the allocation of the income generated from crude oil which is from their region.

    Even among the northerners, there are divisions. The North central feels more comfortable being called Middle Belt rather than being referred to as northerners. Other ethnic groups in the North that are not Hausa/Fulani also complain of marginalisation.

    Nigerians are divided along ethnic and religious lines; a Christian will rather prefer to relate well with a fellow Christian while Musa the herdsman do not feel secured with his cattle in the southern part of the country.

    These divisions have caused the country so much: terrorism, herdsmen-farmers crisis, rise in banditry in different parts of the country etc. Due to the state of disunity, Nigeria is not at that ease; the country has ever been at ease.During the Goodluck Jonathan administration, a confab was organized which many stakeholders participated. At the confab, they came up with a report but years after the confab the results have not been seen. Yet, some say that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable?

    Regionalism has taken control over nationalism, individualism over patriotism. A Yoruba man is more attached to his ethnic group than to the nation; he is more of a Yoruba man than a Nigerian. This applies to other ethnicities too, all of which make unity difficult.

    Which way Nigeria?

    • Kunle Sotibi, <kunlesotibi@gmail.com>

  • Save us from pirates, Bonny council cries out

    Save us from pirates, Bonny council cries out

    By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

    Youths of Bonny Local Government Area in Rivers State have begged Governor Nyesom Wike to save the council from incessant pirates’ attacks on travellers on the waterways.

    Hundreds of youths stormed the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday in a peaceful protest. They lamented that constant attacks of traders has deepened the hardship in Bonny as traders have stopped further transactions.

    A resident, Ms. Furo Boma, said the criminals attack and rape women at will, adding that the development caused food shortage in Bonny.

    She said: “Our women are raped by the day. We do not have food again. Any boat that is bringing food for our people will be hijacked by pirates.

    “People living on Bonny Island do not sleep with their eyes closed because of recurrent attacks by sea pirates. It has not been easy for us. We no longer travel home to meet our parents.”

    Read Also: PDP will keep winning Rivers, says Wike

    Boma urged the governor to intervene and restore sanity on the waterways as the development was beyond their local government council.

    She said: “We have come to meet with the governor. He is the only hope that we have because it is obvious noting is coming out from the local government.

    “We have come to see the governor because we voted for him. One of the reasons we voted for him is because he promised to give us security. We have come here today to say enough is enough. We came here with the consent of our fathers. They know we are here. The governor should save Bonny people from pirates.

    “We don’t want to take laws into our hands that is why we have come to ask the government to fight for us.”

  • Ibidapo-Obe: Our shared dream

    Ibidapo-Obe: Our shared dream

    By Ayobami Salami

    Before May 2017 when I was appointed the pioneer vice chancellor, First Technical University, Ibadan, I only knew Professor Ibidapo-Obe by his reputation, earned through his unassailable credentials. Shortly after my appointment, the then governor and Visitor to the University, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (of blessed memory), invited me for a meeting in his office to discuss my plans for the university. At the meeting were a few government officials, including the then Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli. The governor then told me he was planning to appoint a substantive pro-chancellor for the university and he wanted my suggestion(s).

    I told him that appointment of pro-chancellor is the prerogative of the Visitor. He responded that he was asking for suggestions because he wanted the Council to be composed of professionals, technocrats and boardroom gurus, who are not politicians. I made a few suggestions for Chairmanship and so did others present at the meeting. None of these was acceptable to the then Visitor. At a point, he said he was thinking of someone who (to use his exact phrase which I still remember vividly) is “more intelligent than the library”! However, he said he was skeptical whether the person would accept because he already had an extremely busy schedule. We asked for the name, and he mentioned Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe.

    Everybody at the meeting agreed that Professor Ibidapo-Obe should be contacted. The Visitor, there and then, called him on phone and put it on speaker mode. After exchange of pleasantries, the Visitor told him he had just appointed a vice chancellor for Tech-U.

    Ibidapo-Obe eagerly asked, “Who?” And as soon the Visitor mentioned my name, he said, “Yes, you made the right choice. That guy is the best for the job. I can assure you that with him in the saddle, that university will fly. The surest way to kill a new university is to make the wrong choice in appointing the pioneer vice chancellor.  Salami will be my pick for the vice chancellorship any day.”

    The Visitor then interjected, “Prof. Salami is here and he is hearing you!” He paused for a split second and asked, “Biola, you mean you are in a meeting?” He said yes and asked whether he was in the country to which he responded in the affirmative. The governor simply informed him that I would call him to book an appointment. I expected the Visitor to inform him about the offer but he didn’t. I requested him to do so. He just looked at me and said: “I persuaded you to accept the offer of vice chancellorship, you should also go to persuade him to be your pro-chancellor. He has just spoken glowingly about you. If he accepts, call me from his office, I will then talk to him.”

    The first thing that struck me as I left the meeting is that this man must be an encourager and a very objective person. He had never met me in person and he highly recommended me. What if he had run a negative or just a passive commentary about me? Well, I made the trip to Lagos; we met for the first time, and I did as I was instructed. The rest, as is often said, is history. Once appointed as Pro-Chancellor, we plotted the way forward for the First Technical University, Ibadan. From that moment till he died, we had a shared dream and passion: Tech-U. It was a great joy, not only for me, but also for the entire Tech-U family, when our current Visitor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE graciously retained the Council under his chairmanship, as this ensured the steady growth pace of the university on the ladder of progress and relevance. We worked as if we had been together for ages and enjoyed father-son relationship for the rest of his eventful life.

    He was very humble and down to earth, despite his humongous achievements and intimidating accomplishments. The major cause for disagreement between Council and management in most universities is usually power play between these two critical organs of the university system. This is with respect to protection of, or encroachment on, territories on either side. But Prof. Ibidapo-Obe was a thoroughbred university administrator who held university traditions sacrosanct. He allowed every matter to be subjected to proper and robust intellectual debate on the floor of Council. He would always give me a tip whenever a critical issue was to be discussed so as to harness my view. And once a position was taken by Council, he would project and defend it to every height irrespective of his own initial position on the matter.

    He worked for the Tech-U vision till he breathed his last. I dare say that his last official outing before he took the final bow was at Tech-U. Our last Council for 2020 was supposed to be in the first week of December. Due to some logistic reasons, the meeting was shifted to December 15-16, 2020. I was unexpectedly invited to Abuja on an official engagement on December 13. I called him to enquire whether we should postpone the meeting till probably the first or second week in January, 2021. Trust him as an experienced administrator. He counselled that the December meeting was a statutory one and should, therefore, hold. Moreover, the meeting was to consider the budget and projections for 2021. We agreed to shift the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) meeting that was slated for 11am as scheduled to 3.00pm on Tuesday, December 15. I came by first flight from Abuja to Lagos in the morning of the day and was in office waiting for him before the 3.00pm meeting. He arrived early with his nose mask properly fitted and came straight to my office as his usual practice. I briefed him about my Abuja trip. He opted for tea instead of his usual coffee and we left my office for the Council Chambers. The meeting held and he retired to his hotel room to prepare for the full Council meeting the following day.

    Early in the morning of December 16, I called on phone to check on him as was my practice whenever he was in Ibadan. He told me that the night was not too comfortable and requested to see doctor at our clinic. The doctor attended to him and the meeting held with all Covid-19 protocols duly observed. He exhibited no sign of sickness throughout the meeting. Somehow, he ran the meeting like a valedictory sitting, even though his tenure (and other council members) was not supposed to end before March next year. As soon as the meeting ended, he insisted he wanted to openly appreciate the significant achievements of the university within a short time. And Oga was a good storyteller. He regaled us with stories of his times and seasons as vice chancellor, and why we should appreciate what is happening at Tech-U. He moved that Council should commend the management of the university under my leadership and insisted that the commendation should be recorded in the minutes of Council. He also informed the Council that we should appreciate our Visitor for increased support for Tech-U in the 2021 budget cycle. He concluded by requesting that management should book an appointment with the Visitor for the Council to express our gratitude. After his lengthy session of commendation for the management and the Visitor, a member of Council, Prof. Charles Akanbi, then responded that the entire council should rise to give the chairman a standing ovation. Prof. Akanbi opined that the litany of achievements of the management reeled out by chairman was made possible by his able leadership. We all stood up, including Moyo Ajekigbe (former MD of First Bank Plc), who joined the meeting via zoom. And the ovation was loudest since the inception of the Council. I never realised we were paying our last respect to him as a Council that drank from his well of wisdom. He took a bow. Alas, I never knew it was his last!

    Prof. Ibidapo-Obe was a dogged fighter. He won several rounds in the bout but opted to take a dignifying exit after a good fight. When I was informed of his demise on January 3, I instinctively opted to live in self-denial. I quickly called the vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, in a desperate search for a different report. He told me that he had just been informed and was also battling with amazement.

    He was blessed with good life and gave a good account of himself. We lost a pillar of support.  While we mourn the big loss, we celebrate a great life; a life lived with maximum impact. For Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, the music has since stopped, but the melody goes on and on, ad infitum.

    • Professor Salami is vice chancellor, First Technical University (Tech-U), Ibadan.

  • IPOB rejects governors’ security outfit in Southeast

    IPOB rejects governors’ security outfit in Southeast

    By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia and Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    The outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday rejected a bid by Southeast governors to set up a new security outfit.

    IPOB, which claimed to have set up the Eastern Security Network (ESN), said no other vigilante group would be allowed in the region.

    The group, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, claimed without evidence that the proposed outfit was being set up to counter the ESN.

    It urged Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi to shelve the idea of another security outfit.

    IPOB alleged that the motive for the proposed outfit was anti-Igbo.

    But the group did provide any evidence as to how the outfit would undermine the ESN.

    The statement reads in part: “We know that they intend to counter the formidable ESN, which is protecting and defending Biafrans against terrorists and invaders responsible for the senseless attacks, raping and wanton killings of our mothers, wives and sisters in our farmlands and forests.

    “We warn these governors in our region not to heed the mischievous advice and attempt to compromise the security of Biafrans.

    “Any group under any nomenclature formed by Dave Umahi and his fellow governors as well as Ohanaeze will be resisted by the people of Old Eastern Region.

    “We, therefore, advise every Biafran father and mother to caution their children against joining Umahi’s vigilante group as such an outfit is already the enemy of the people. Their agenda is sinister and anti-Biafra.

    Read Also: How Umahi forced us to swear to an oath, by ex-coordinators

    “Remember that the real masterminds of the plot…are now set to control Biafraland but ESN and IPOB have remained their only nightmare.

    “We are happy to aver that the grand conspiracy by our oppressors to take over the South with the help of compromised leaders is dead on arrival!

    “We declare without equivocation that any other group parading as Southeast and Southsouth security outfit will not be allowed to operate on Biafra soil.

    “Our people have already launched their defence line – ESN – as our self-acclaimed leaders were nowhere to be found when it counted most.

    “Anyone who enlists in any treacherous security outfit sponsored to destabilise our territory will regret such a decision.

    “Our message is simply this: IPOB will not allow terrorists any breeding ground on Biafra forests and farmlands.

    “The raping, killings and unprovoked attacks by these vampires must stop throughout Biafra territory.

    “Anyone against this irreversible resolve of the people to defend themselves against foreign occupation will be crushed!

    “ESN has been launched with the mandate of securing Biafraland, and no force can disband this great movement until it’s done with its mandate!”

  • Lagos targets N512b tax, N193b loan to fund 2021 Budget

    Lagos targets N512b tax, N193b loan to fund 2021 Budget

    By Taofik Salako, Deputy Group Business Editor

    Lagos State Government plans to raise N192.49 billion through domestic and international lenders to supplement its N1.164 trillion budget.

    The state expects N723.8 billion internal revenue  and  about N512 billion from taxes. The IGR represents 62.2 per cent of the total budget size

    The   N192.49 billion loan which represents about 16.6 per cent of the budget will be used to fund the budget deficit.

    The state also expects N175.4 billion (15 per cent of the budget) from the Federation Account Allocation and N71.8 billion (6.2 per cent) capital receipts.

    Sixty per cent or N702.94 billion of the budget will go into  capital projects and 40 per cent or  N460.59 billion on recurrent expenditure.

    At a facts-behind-the-figures session on the 2021 budget yesterday, the government explained that the  financial estimates  underlined its  commitment   to aggressive development and maintenance of infrastructure across the state.

    In the  budget titled “Budget of Rekindled Hope”, the government said it will ramp up development of landmark projects, with the financial closure for the Fourth Mainland Bridge expected to be completed between the second and third quarter of this year.

    It added that the internal red and blue rail lines were expected to become operational by the third quarter of next year.

    Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, said the state will raise N100 billion through domestic bond issuance and about N41 billion domestic loans.  It is to source N57 billion from foreign lenders.

    The commissioner added that N166.6 billion was provided for the construction and maintenance of roads and other infrastructure.

    According to him, N13.66 billion will be spent on the completion of Agege Pen Cinema flyover, Oregun bridge network as well as  Agric-Isawo  and Ijede roads in Ikorodu, among others.

    He also explained that the government is hopeful it will attain its IGR target of N512 billion by expanding the tax net through a simple, tech-driven and transactional process that enhances operational efficiency.

    Read Also: Apapa: Lagos to manage traffic as PTT hands over

    Egube said the 2021 budget was tagged “Budget Of Rekindled Hope” to reflect the state’s determination to rise above the challenges of  COVID-19 pandemic and #EndSars protests with a view to achieving the developmental agenda of the  Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government.

    Commissioner for Finance Dr Rabiu Olowo said the debts are totally tied to capital projects.

    He noted that with a debt-to-revenue ratio of 19.8 percent in 2020  projected to rise to 22 per cent in 2021, the state remains considerably below the World Bank and Federal Government’s benchmarks of 40 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

    Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure,  Aramide Adeoye, said the government had taken all necessary steps in line with its commitment to transparency and international best practices to ensure that the Fourth Mainland Bridge is delivered as scheduled at fair value to the government.

  • Insecurity: Yahaya seeks role for ex-servicemen

    Insecurity: Yahaya seeks role for ex-servicemen

    By Sola Shittu, Gombe

    Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya on Thursday called on the state chapter of the Nigerian Legion to fully mobilise its members as a reserve force to assist towards tackling security challenges in their respective local government areas.

    Governor Yahaya stated this at the official launch of the 2020/2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Emblem Appeal Fund held at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House.

    He said the event afforded the government and people of the state the opportunity to reflect on the contributions made by members of the armed forces in and out of service and to provide succour to members of their families.

    He said the occasion was not only for the remembrance of fallen heroes but also an opportunity to address the predicament of their dependents and loved ones.

    “This appeal fund is meant to generate resources to support families and loved ones of our fallen heroes and retired servicemen. I appeal to good-spirited individuals as well as public and private organisations to donate generously to the Emblem Appeal Fund,” he said.

    Read Also: 2023: Youth group declare support for Yahaya Bello

    The governor said having listened to the address of the Chairman, Nigerian Legion Gombe State chapter, his administration will look into the requests with a view to addressing them.

    Governor Yahaya launched the 2020/2021 Appeal Fund with N5 million as government’s donation and N1 million as his personal contribution.

    The Commissioner of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, Mr Dauda Batari Zambuk noted that “it is a fact that members of the Nigerian armed forces have made supreme sacrifices to ensure that the country remains one.”

  • Pope Francis, ex-Pope Benedict receive vaccine

    Pope Francis, ex-Pope Benedict receive vaccine

    Our Reporter

    Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict have received their first vaccination against COVID-19, the Vatican said on Thursday.

    The two were given the jab at the Vatican, it added.

    Francis, who is 84, had part of a lung removed due to an illness in his 20s, so he would be a high-risk patient if he were to contract the virus.

    Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who is 93, also lives within the small city-state that is surrounded by Rome.

    The Vatican began its vaccine roll-out on Wednesday.

    It said health-care workers, security personnel and the elderly would be first in line, as well as personnel who have frequent contact with the public.

    Read Also: Pope Francis greets U.S. President-elect Biden

    In recent months, there have been several Coronavirus outbreaks in the Vatican, including among members of the Swiss Guard.

  • Southwest lawmakers back return of power to zone

    Southwest lawmakers back return of power to zone

    By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor

    Southwest lawmakers, including some speakers and their predecessors, have backed the calls for power shift to the geo-political zone region in 2023.

    The speakers, who were joined by their predecessors, deputy speakers and other state lawmakers at a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for unity in the zone.

    They lauded the contributions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to national development, promising to back his bid, if he declares a presidential ambition.

    The lawmakers, who converged on Carlton Gate Exclusive Hotel, maintained that the zone should produce the next president to foster equity, fairness and justice in the ruling party and the country.

    At the meeting, 20 speakers and their predecessors past speakers of states, reiterated their loyalty and solidarity with the national leader.

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was the convener, introduced the Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Foundation and Movement to the gathering.

    He said the Foundation has a mandate to propagate Tnubu’s ideals.

    Obasa said although the former Lagos State governor has not declared his intention to run for the highest office, it is important to deliberate on power shift and raise awareness about the need for the region to put its House in order.

    He urged the current and former speakers to set up the template that would herald the actualisation of the foundation’s agenda, if Tinubu decides to run.

    BAT Foundation National Coordinator Ambassador Aliyu Saulawa said the foundation was committed to the push for zoning and power shift to the Southwest.

    The Lagos Speaker said Tinubu is eminently qualified to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari at the expiration of his tenure.

    Read Also: ‘Commission will develop Southwest’

    He lauded Tinubu’s option of embracing principle by supporting President Muhammadu Buhari during the first APC primary and 2019 election.

    Saulawa described Tinubu as an outstanding Yoruba man with the capacity, experience and means required for the race.

    He said: “Tinubu still needs to do more networking in Yoruba land, especially amongst serving and past governors so that voices of dissent can be reduced to the bearest minimum.

    “All stakeholders here present should go back home and start the Asiwaju Tinubu presidential project, pending when he will come out to agree to contest.

    “All speakers present must commence beneficial political interaction with traditional rulers across the Southwest.”

    At the meeting were: Olakunle Oluomo (Ogun Speaker); Adeyemi Ikoforiji (former Lagos Speaker); Suraju Adekunbi (former Ogun Speaker); Muyiwa Oladipo (former Ogun Speaker); Asimiyu Alarape (former Oyo Speaker); Prof Mojeed Alabi (former Osun Speaker); Ayo Agbonmusemi (Ondo); Victor Olabimtan (Ondo); Kenneth Olawale (Ondo) AND Kola Adefemi (former Ekiti Speaker).

    Others were: Taofiq Abdusalam (Ondo); Oluwasegunota Bolarinwa (Ondo); Patrick Ajigbolamu (Ekiti); Adejare Bello (former Osun Speaker); Wale Afolabi; Jokotola Pelumi (former Lagos State Speaker); Simeon Olufemi Popoola (Osun Deputy Speaker); J. Gunju (former Oyo Speaker and Titi Oseni (former Ogun Speaker).

  • Nigeria has not learned from civil war, says Kukah

    Nigeria has not learned from civil war, says Kukah

    By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor and Nwanosike Onu, Awka 

    Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, yesterday said Nigeria has not recovered from wounds of the civil war, 51 years after the unfortunate event.

    He also lamented that the leaders have not learned instructive lessons from the 30-month war.

    The activist-cleric, who spoke at the second edition of the “Never Again Conference” said the country has failed to adopt resolutions meant to heal the wounds of the war.

    But, elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakassai disagreed with him, saying that the country had witnessed reconciliation and healing.

    The Second Republic politician, who recalled that the largely Igbo coup of 1966 aborted the Nigerian dream and trajectory, observed that reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation had taken place and Nigerians are living with one another all over the country.

    He called on Nigerians to join hands to deepen democracy and enthrone an egalitarian society.

    The theme of the virtual conference was: “51 years after the Nigerian-Biafran civil war.” It was chaired by Afenifere chieftain Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

    The conference is the brainchild of Nzuko Umunna, a pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, which organised the first edition in Lagos last year.

    Kukah said some of the neglected resolutions were re-echoed at the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and chaired by the late Justice Chikudifu Oputa.

    He also said while the military laid the foundation for Nigerians to begin a process of rebuilding the nation, “things somehow went wrong” along the line.

    Kukah stressed: “I have met a lot of people who fought the war who are full of regrets. There is a lot of resentment, anxiety and frustration that we have not learnt any lessons.

    “Fifty-one years after the war, we are still hearing the kind of agitations that ordinarily, with commitment, dedication, focus and the right leadership, we should have put a lot of the anxieties behind us. Unfortunately, they are still with us.”

    The bishop described the Oputa panel, which he was part of, as “the best school I would ever hope to attend”.

    He added: “Oputa Panel managed to generate quite a lot of data and information that academicians and policymakers would have used to ensure we erect the signpost saying, ‘Never Again’, because it gave us an opportunity, a mirror to look at ourselves after hearing from all sides but we didn’t have the discipline to follow through.

    “We have not been able to forgive ourselves as a people. The wounds of the civil war have not been able to heal.

    “Coups and counter-coups that followed were more or less miniature civil wars by themselves because they threw up the same contradictions, anxieties and feeling of divisiveness across the country.”

    Read Also: Muslim forum threatens Kukah

    The chairman of the conference planning committee, Prof. Pat Utomi, said the initiative started as an advocacy “in trying to bring a better understanding of the civil war and its aftermath to the Nigerian people”.

    He said it was being pursued in a way that “it will become a source of energy for bringing a new nation”.

    Utomi stressed: “We know that if people learn enough from errors of yesterday, they can, in fact, make more progress than they are currently making,” he said.

    “One of the biggest challenges of nation-building is the kind of trust deficits that exist which make policy implementation very challenging.

    “A better understanding of the civil war will make it become a ladder that people can climb to higher levels of growth.”

    Adebanjo said with justice and equity, restructuring and a people’s constitution, Nigeria would overcome most of her current challenges.

    He called for a return to the 1960 Independence Constitution or 1963 Constitution, which were products of agreement among the founding fathers, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    A First Republic Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, who decried the marginalisation of Igbo in Nigeria, called for the enthronement of equity, fairness and justice.

    ‘Igbo President will prove war has truly ended’

    A leader of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prince Emeka Udodeme, said only when an Igbo person becomes the President will the world believe that the war has truly ended.

    The new Ohanaeze president in Anambra State told our correspondent that Ndigbo desire equity and fairness

    He said: “Ndigbo are not lacking anything except the presidency which other zones had occupied.

    “What Ohanaeze Ndigbo is saying is: allow us to occupy the only position other sections of the country had occupied, which is the presidency, and we will not relent in that demand.

    “We’ve fared well through our struggles but why are they still afraid to give Igbo what is due to us?”

    For the National Vice-President of Ohanaeze (Southeast), Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, some of those issues that led them to war were still there.

    He said: “Yes, the war ended many years ago, but have those who fought against us during those years seen it that way?

    “Ohanaeze is not giving up on the Igbo president come 2023. The present body will continue from where the Chief Nnia Nwodo stopped in making sure Ndigbo get to that elusive position

    “We are working with our brothers and sisters from other ethnic groups. We are demanding equity, justice and fairness in Nigeria.”