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Tag: David Mark

  • Tears as eight PDP accident victims are buried

    Tears flowed heavily in Oju at the funeral rites of eight members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that died in a ghastly motor accident last Friday on their way to the Zone C senatorial campaign flag-off in Agatu.

    PDP chieftains, candidates and officials as well as bereaved family members battled to hold back tears as they took turns to give orations at the combined church service.

    Governor Samuel Ortom, in a funeral oration, described their deaths as tragic and painful, saying the patriots died when their services were most needed in the build up to the 2019 general elections.

    The governor prayed to God to grant their souls eternal rest and their family members the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.

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    He directed the immediate appointment of one member of the families to provide succor for them.

    Ortom also told mourners the excavated portion of the Aliade-Oju road would be fixed within three weeks.

    He charged the Igede nation to remain peaceful as they go into the final phase of the 2019 elections.

    Former Senate President David Mark and senatorial candidate for Zone C, Comrade Abba Moro, in separate orations, said they were heartbroken and felt a sense of personal losses.

    They consoled the bereaved families and prayed God to grant their fallen heroes and heroine eternal rest, describing their death as tragic and traumatising.

    Member representing Oju/Obi federal constituency in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Samson Okwu, who could not hold tears, said he lost key members of his campaign team in the accident.

    He pointed out that the day would remain a black day in the history of Igede nation.

    Bishop Methodist Church in Oju Local Government Area, Rt. Reverend Odeh Ocheke, urged the congregation to prepare for the last day as nobody knows when and where it would come.

    Ortom had paid homage on the Adirahu Ny Igede, Chief Oga Ero, a retired Commissioner of Police, on arrival where he condoled the entire Igede nation on the tragic loss of their illustrious sons and daughters.

     

  • Nigeria@58 : David mark urges Nigerians to remain faithful

    Former President of the Senate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant, Sen. David Mark has implored the citizenry not to lose faith in the project Nigeria.

    Mark made the call in a statement to mark 2019 Independence anniversary, signed by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh on Monday in Abuja.

    Marked urged citizens not to despair in the midst of socio-economic and political challenges, saying such challenges should rather be the “needed elixir to bring out the best in all Nigerians to salvage the situation.”

    He said citizens not to lose faith in the project Nigeria believing that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

    He said that Nigeria has passed through trying times including the ill-fated civil strife and a number of ethno-religious conflicts in the past, saying that such travails should serve as useful lessons to guide us alright.

    “We have encountered so many challenges in our journey to nationhood. No doubt, it has been a torturous one. But we must not give in to such challenges.

    “All we need to do is to properly harness our human and material resources for the benefit of all citizens,” he said.

    On the forthcoming general elections, Mark prayed that politicians and their supporters play the game according to the rules saying that what is paramount is the preservation and survival of the country.

    He reiterated that Nigeria was a project under God whose unity must be sacrosanct.

    “It is my wish to be President of a united and indivisible Nigeria where every citizen has equal right and opportunity to pursue his or her legitimate ambition unhindered.”

    The presidential aspirant expressed optimism that “the future is bright because the dark days would soon be over.”(NAN)

  • PDP Primaries: Those anticipating chaos will be disappointed – David Mark

    Former Senate President and PDP Presidential Aspirant, Senator David Mark on Thursday said that those anticipating chaos and disintegration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be disappointed as the PDP will emerge stronger and more united after the Presidential Primaries.

    Speaking to newsmen in Minna, Mark said that onlookers are anticipating that a lot of things would go wrong during and after the primaries as some have even gone to the length to predict that the Primaries would be explosive.

    He however said that the aspirants seeking the Presidential ticket of the party have absolute confidence and faith in the Party leadership in providing free, fair, credible and transparent primaries.

    “Nigerians need to stop presuming there will always be problem. It is a presumption on the part of onlookers that there will be chaos and not the participants themselves. Those outside are the ones presuming that it is going to be explosive, it won’t be free and fair but those of us who are the aspirants, have every confidence in the party structure and party hierarchy, that they will organise a very free, fair, credible and transparent primaries.

    Read Also:2019 Presidency: Jonathan backs David Mark

    “So do not bother too much. I think we are over reacting, we are anticipating too much that things will go wrong”, he said.

    The Senator expressed confidence that the winner of the Presidential primaries in PDP will get the support of other aspirants stressing that PDP will come out stronger, bigger and more united after the primaries.

    “PDP will have a very healthy primaries and we have decided that whoever emerges as the Candidate, the rest of us will unite solidly behind him. Whoever wins will get the support of the rest of us. Whatever problem may emerge, we will realize it among ourselves and come out stronger and more united. ”

    Addressing the PDP Delegates at the PDP Secretariat, Mark assured them that he will ensure that PDP does not disintegrate when he becomes President urging them to vote for the best.

  • Presidential aspirants pour libations

    SOMETIME last week, presidential aspirants David Mark and Bukola Saraki visited former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in furtherance of their quests for high office. The former military leader is the chief priest of one of the political shrines aspirants of all shades visit to pour the libation of their ambitions. Senator Mark, a former senate president, visited General Babangida two Saturdays ago; and Sen Saraki, the current but embattled senate president, visited on Sunday. Another contender, ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar, had earlier gone to the same shrine to pour his own libation. Gen Babangida, as is his custom, is not averse to holding regal court and speaking dissemblingly royal. He did both in spectacular fashion two weekends ago in a manner that evoked images of his past splendour.

    The other shrine, though exuding false and immoderate potency, is the power reliquary superintended by, this time, High Priest Olusegun Obasanjo, former military head of state and two-term (1999-2007) president. There is hardly any contender for the main Nigerian power prize who does not venture into this second shrine to pour libation, asking for endorsement, and perhaps willing to pay any price. With the exception of Alhaji Atiku, nearly all presidential aspirants have visited the Obasanjo shrine. They have, however, not explained what they would do with his endorsement if it came, nor answered what it is still worth after many years of the old warhorse vacating office. Nobody, let alone an aspirant, makes the mistake of seeking Chief Obasanjo’s empowerment. He endorses, for whatever it is worth; but he does not empower.

    It is not controversial or futile to seek endorsement. What is controversial are the nature of the endorsements and their value. Endorsement by top leaders and politicians with name recognition often enlivens and gives fillip to campaigns. Presidential aspirants have, however, so far been unable to persuade the electorate that the shrines that have become their mecca are not monuments to dead or dying gods. It is hard to see the electoral value of Gen Babangida, more than 25 years after his exit from power. And barely 11 years after leaving office, the more controversial Chief Obasanjo has seemed to deplete politically even more rapidly than the Minna-based general. Indeed, after cautiously endorsing then candidate Buhari for the 2015 presidential poll, the Abeokuta-based former president has seemed to gradually and relentlessly mummify. He will of course still go on to endorse someone, after the debacle of endorsing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), for he is not aware that ‘anointing’ has left him, but he will shrewdly wait to see which way the cat jumps before placing his bets.

    Why the endorsements by Chief Obasanjo and Gen Babangida have become the objects of derision is not hard to explain. They are endorsements triggered by habit rather than by reason, products of habit rather than practicality. Elsewhere, endorsements are often actuated by ideological affinity or philosophical objectives. But not only are the rubrics of the two aforesaid shrines ambiguous and amorphous, their chief priests are also ideologically and philosophically vacuous. What is even more damning is that the aspirants have aligned themselves wholly to the ethnic and geopolitical dynamics of their ambitions rather than any set of coherent and systematic beliefs. It is a case of vacuum (aspirants) chasing vacuum (endorsers), a sort of Magdeburg hemispheres powerfully clenched shut, encasing nothing.

    But regardless of their lack of real power, both Chief Obasanjo and Gen Babangida may still pride themselves in their ability to attract political attention, particularly from presidential contenders. They will see themselves as infinitely better than other past heads of state and presidents who mummified decades ago, ex-leaders whom no one regards or pays more than a casual, reluctant visit. They exult that even the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, is unable to attract as much attention as they have consistently attracted over the years. They view the near reclusiveness of ex-president Shehu Shagari with alarm, and are petrified by both the mystifying anonimity in which interim head of state Ernest Shonekan dwells and the contrived ecclesiastical activity of ex-head of state Yakubu Gowon.

    Indeed, what really haunts both Chief Obasanjo and Gen Babangida is their fear of being ignored, after so many giddy years in office, many of those years truly epical and magical on the scale of experimentation, vainglory, and sheer improbity. They do not mind being skewered, their families added for full measure if they cannot help it; but they fear being ignored. They are not used to being ignored, and they will do everything in their power to shore up the value of the bilge water they dispense from their shrines, assured that the emptiness of their political customers cum aspirants make them the perfect dupes it has been the great and unending misfortune of Nigeria to produce.

  • Restructuring: Atiku, Mark, others under fire

    FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark are among other politicians chided yesterday by the All Progressives Congress for becoming latter day advocates of restructuring.

    The party accused the duo of Atiku and Mark, both presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of doing nothing on the matter when held top political offices for eight years.

    According to the APC, the call for the restructuring of the country has become an opportunistic ploy to which politicians latch on exploit for selfish political motives and not necessarily for its realism and practicability.

    Reacting to the renewed debate on restructuring by political office seekers, the ruling party urged Nigerians to be wary of those it called latter day converts to the matter of restructuring who are exploiting the issue for populist political campaigns.

    APC’s Acting National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena said in a statement that Abubakar and Mark held sway in government at various times, but did nothing on the issue of restructuring.

    Nabena said that what is paramount right now is the issue of good governance, honest management of public resources, deeper fiscal Federalism and a clear vision for development, adding that good governance involves transparency and prudence in public finance, it involves social justice, investing in the poor and providing jobs and opportunities for the people, particularly young people.

    The statement reads: “The renewed restructuring debate particularly between the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and one of his predecessors, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been trending in the media.

    “Prof Osinbajo in his well-articulated response to Alhaji Atiku, submitted that what Nigeria requires now is not geographic restructuring, but good governance, honest management of public resources, deeper fiscal Federalism and a clear vision for development. The All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot agree more with Prof. Osinbajo.

    “It must be said that the calls for restructuring by many politicians is often time a populist and opportunistic ploy to latch on and politically exploit simplistic public narratives on the panacea to Nigeria’s problems and not necessarily for its realism and practicability.

    “For instance, Alhaji Atiku was Vice President and Chairman of the National Economic Council throughout the eight years of the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration. How did he use his office to correct the imbalance in our federation he expresses today? Senator David Mark was Senate President for eight years and never sponsored a motion on restructuring. Today he is promising to restructure the country.

    “We must be wary of latter-day converts to the matter of restructuring, exploiting the issue for populist political campaigns.

    “As Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo submitted, good governance involves transparency and prudence in public finance, it involves social justice, investing in the poor and providing jobs and opportunities for the people, particularly young people.

    “This remains the focus of the current administration as seen by the several social intervention programmes currently being implemented. Commendably, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to implementing a New National Minimum wage.

    “Also, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) scheme, comprising: GEEP MarketMoni, GEEP FarmerMoni and GEEP TraderMoni is being executed by the Bank of Industry and providing interest-free loans to petty traders and artisans across Nigeria.

    “With the inception of the President Buhari administration, a well-articulated roadmap, considering all the issues involved in ensuring a new, well secured, better governed Nigeria with equitable distribution of resources within the component federating units, is being given serious attention.

    “Recall that the APC set up a Committee on True Federalism under the Chairmanship of the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. The Committee submitted its report to the immediate-past National Working Committee, making its recommendations on twenty four items that Nigerians expressed views to balance our federation.

    “These items are: creation of states; merger of states; delegation principle; fiscal federalism; devolution of power and resources between state, federal and local governments; federating units; form of government; independent candidacy; land tenure system; local government autonomy; power sharing and rotation; resource control; types of legislature; demand for affirmation for vulnerable groups — people with disabilities, women and youth; ministerial appointment; citizenship; state constitution; community participation; minimum wage; governance; judiciary; state re-alignment and border adjustment; circular status of the federation and referendum.

    “A practical approach to implement the Committees Report is being considered by the Federal Government.

    “The APC believes that good, sincere, focussed, and purposeful leadership at all levels will propel the country to its deserved heights. Sincere efforts towards achieving True Federalism are more important than politically-exploited populist rhetoric which achieved nothing.

    “With emphasis on practicability, constitutionality and reality, we are confident that True Federalism or restructuring as some will like to call it will be better achieved under the President Buhari-led APC administration.”

  • Ciroma’s death, blow to political class — David Mark

    Former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, has described the death of a former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, as a big blow to the political class.

    Mark, in a statement in Abuja on Friday noted that Ciroma died at a time when his wealth of experience was needed “to navigate through the murky political waters in Nigeria”.

    He said the pioneering role of Ciroma in the political evolution of Nigeria especially in the formation of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), sustained uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria since 1999.

    The legislator said Ciroma was an uncommon patriot and a distinguished public officer who worked for the good of all.

    Read Also: David Mark renews pact with God at 70

    He said Ciroma would be greatly missed for his frank, honest and unwavering commitment to the ideals of nationhood.

    “Late Ciroma distinguished himself as a public officer who stood for the people no matter the odds.

    “We shall miss his noble and honest contributions to nation building,’’ Mark said.

    He described the late elder statesman as a selfless public officer who brought happiness to majority of people.

    Mark prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and appealed to the government and people of Yobe to take solace in the fact Ciroma lived an eventful live worthy of emulation.

  • Ekiti Poll: Atiku, Mark, Ekweremadu PDP Govs to storm Ekiti for Olusola

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the 11 governors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will be storming Ekiti State for the governorship election campaign any time soon.

    The 40-man Campaign Council inaugurated by the leadership of the party in Abuja on Monday, is chaired by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

    Other members of the council include the party’s presidential aspirants like Ahmed Makarfi, Ibrahim Shekarau, Sule Lamido the party’s immediate past former governors and serving federal lawmakers.

    While inaugurating the council, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said the All Progressives Congress has turned Ekiti State into a “war zone”.

    He alleged that the APC was training a special killer squad to kill opponents and disperse rallies organised by the PDP in Ekiti, with the view to foisting a one-party-state.

    Secondus said, “The motive of these deliberate police state being established by the ruling party is obvious; to distract and disorganise the opponent to enable them hold on to power and establish one party state.

    The party chair further accused the APC administration of unnecessarily heating up the polity by resorting to what he described as devious means to undermine the democratic process.

    The chairman continued, “The signs are there for all to see that the attitude of the ruling party is that of a drowning man desperate to survive and whose posture is ‘if I cannot make it, let me go down with others’

    “Information available to us shows that in Ekiti, they are trying to use all skillful underhand means to achieve goals but the people are well charged to not only come out to cast their votes on July 14 but that they are ready to defend it.

    Read Also: NPO, Buhari, Tinubu, Atiku mourn Aboderin

    “At this juncture, let me warn that if there is any attempt to thwart the will of the people in Ekiti state, there may be no general election and the entire democratic process will be endangered”.

    He cautioned the APC against obstructing the will of the people, saying such moves could throw up negative consequences.

    “I tried to let them know that Ekiti State shares in that history when the then second republic ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) attempted  to use their federal controlled might to hijack power from the then Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) that was on ground in the old Ondo state for which Ekiti was part.

    “Men of wisdom had long told us that the easy way to repeat history is to refuse to learn from it. I charge APC leadership to take time and read our political history and know that the route they are headed are akin to that of the NPN days if not worse”, Secondus said.

    The party chairman called on the international community and all lovers of democracy to show more than passing interest in what is happening in different parts of the country.

    Chairman of the campaign council, Governor Emmanuel, said the PDP would win Ekiti State because of the achievements of Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    Emmanuel challenged his fellow governors in the APC to present their performance profile and to compare their achievements with their counterparts in the PDP.

    “If the APC is hoping to use federal might to win Ekiti poll, the PDP has the people behind it”, Emmanuel said.

  • Benue killings evil, reprehensible – Mark

    Former President of the Senate, David Mark has condemned the latest killings in Gwer East local government area of Benue State where two Catholic priests and about 13 parishioners were on Monday murdered in cold blood.

    Mark, who represents the Benue South senatorial district, charged security agencies to rise to the task of protecting lives and property in Benue and other parts of the country.

    In a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, the senator said the unabating killings of citizens by herdsmen called to question the manner of security operation in Benue State.

    Describing the killings of defenceless and innocent worshipers as callous, wicked and evil, Mark said it has become more expedient for security operatives to protect the citizenry to avoid a resort to self-help.

    Mark said, “I am saddened by this unabating carnage. The people of Benue State are accommodating and law-abiding but it seems this gesture has been misconstrued to be cowardice.

    “Our people are known for their bravery. We are not cowards. Something must be done to stop this carnage. Enough is enough”.

    He tasked the security operatives to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime and many others across the country.

    The lawmaker said the carnage has continued because no serious effort has been made to bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to book.

    Senator Mark canvassed an urgent need on the part of the government and security operatives to restore confidence in the people by fishing out the murderers.

    He enjoined clerics and worshipers not to be deterred by the callous and demonic proclivities of the killers and their sponsors, but to remain strong in their faith with the Almighty God for victory.

    Mark prayed the Almighty God give the bereaved families and the people of Benue State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss even as he enjoined them to be security conscious.

     

  • David Mark renews pact with God at 70

    •Danjuma, Saraki, Tambuwal, others showers encomium

    FORMER Senate President David Mark at the weekend took stock of his 70 years sojourn on earth.

    He used the event to renew his covenant with God to serve Him and humanity faithfully.

    The former Senate President, who spoke before a crowded gathering in Abuja, said: “I have resolved to serve God and humanity ceaselessly for the rest of my life.

    “I will intensify my prayers and do the work of mercy for peace and unity of Nigeria, where genuine friendship and brotherhood, devoid of parochialism reigns.

    “When I was growing up, I made friends across board devoid of ethnicity, tribe or religion.  And we saw ourselves as brothers and sisters with a common destiny. But what we see today is a celebration of ethnic or religious champions in our national life.

    “This is not the Nigeria of our dream. We must rise up to re-orientate our people in order to reverse the trend for good. We must see ourselves as one people with a common destiny and purpose.”

    He expressed optimism that a better Nigeria, where everyone is free to live and pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear of intimidation or molestation, is possible “if we see ourselves as brothers and sisters ”

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who spoke through his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, described Mark as a brave soldier and astute politician who has made positive impact in the country’s growth.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki showered encomiums on his predecessor for the foundation he laid in the Senate as well as his contributions to national growth.

    He requested Mark to always make his knowledge and wealth of experience available for upcoming leaders to profit from.

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described Mark as a patriotic and relentless public servant, who  over the years demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to his fatherland.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Uche Secondus hailed Mark for his steadfastness, noting that in the wake of the gale of defection that hit the party after its defeat in 2015, the former Senate President stood firm, when he said he would remain in PDP, no matter the odds.

    Mark’s classmate, General Alwali Kazir, who spoke on behalf of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 3 Alumni association, commended Mark for his relentless and unblemished service to the nation.

    Chairman of the occasion General T. Y. Danjuma noted Mark’s indomitable spirit, which he said is needed to navigate through the country’s murky political water.

    Eminent Nigerians, including four former Senate Presidents, Iyorchia Ayu, Adolf Wabara,  Anyim Pius Anyim,  Ken Nnamani, the incumbent Saraki, governors, past and present members of the National Assembly,  Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Cardinal John Onaiyekan,  captains of industry among others attended the event.

     

  • David Mark: Toast to a great man, enigma at 70

    I first met Major David Mark, a young, swashbuckling army officer through a mutual friend, Ambunde Ugar , also known as Tony in late May , 1978, on the eve of my departure to Bauchi for the NYSC . They had known themselves in India where Tony was a student and David Mark was on an officer on course. I first met him in Calabar, in Ayimo Hotel, Marian Road, Calabar where he was staying. He was in Calabar on official duty. He was then Chairman of the Abandoned Property Implementation Committee, a Committee set up by the Federal Government to resolve contentious issues regarding properties abandoned by the Ibo’s as a result of the unfortunate Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970. When he got to know I was leaving for NYSC the next day he immediately offered me his hotel accommodation because according to him “Now Your Suffering Commences (NYSC)” so enjoy for one night at least. The motive for this spontaneous act of generosity to an inconsequential young man he was meeting for the first time and from whom he stood to benefit nothing has remained the subject of agitated debate till this day between us .Today is certainly not for escalating the debate. It is a day to celebrate a man of great insight, wisdom, talent, discipline and knowledge, a friend indeed, a leader, mentor, motivator, sportsman, musician and band leader, disc jokey,helicopter pilot ,traditional man and at the same time an ardent Roman Catholic , a man of incredible talents and humility, a testament to the fact that only the truly great are truly humble. He readily confesses his weaknesses and does not judge others.

    I did not meet a David Mark again in person until when I was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent Cross River Central Senatorial District in 2003. I had however keenly followed his political ascendancy in the military politics of the time. He upgraded to Minister of Communications, Governor of Niger State, the home State of the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, member Provisional Ruling Council. He was easily the poster boy of that milieu and was one of the most famous of the small group of the innermost caucus of the time known as the “IBB Boys”. He became the subject of persecution after IBB’s regime and fled into exile. He suffered greatly even losing a brother in circumstances believed to be state sponsored.

    When I came into the Senate in 2003, though they were senior Senators already David and his twin Tunde Ogbeha, whom I had known from a distance in Ogoja where as a young army lieutenant he was the best known football referee after the Nigerian Civil War, and my family moved into a house he just vacated in Monaiya Hospital, Ogoja, sat directly behind me .This was curious as senior senators they should have been sitting right in front. However their decision to sit where they chose turned out to be most auspicious because when a curious decision was about to be taken to reject Senator Liyel Imoke as Cross River State’s ministerial nominee, I could seamlessly consult them, and advise Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw from Cross River South, a very distinguished and cerebral Senator who sat directly in front of me. This was to be our baptism as Senators. With their advice Henshaw and I made the necessary moves and Imoke was confirmed as Minister. David and Tunde became my guardian angels. This was to be our baptism of fire as Senators. I thenceforth exploited their insights and our historical past to my fullest advantage. They thought me how the Senate worked and were anxious to see me make my mark as a Senator.

    When David Mark became Senate President in 2007 it was no surprise that I became Deputy Senate Leader. When he was re-elected Senate President in 2011 it had become evident I was going to be his Senate Leader, and that Ike Ekweremadu, his deputy in his first outing as Senate President would remain his deputy. His keen sense of history had been activated. He had achieved what Dr. Joseph Wayas, Senate President had achieved being the first Senate President to be elected a second time. David Mark however became the first in our history to be re-elected with his deputy, and the deputy Senate Leader as Senate Leader. He became the first ever Senate President to serve out two full terms with his core team. He provided stability and leadership in the country’s dire times and authored the ”doctrine of necessity” to bring back the country from certain political abyss.

    More significantly, David Marks’s eight years as Senate President remain the most stable years of the Nigerian Senate and the most scandal free. How this was achieved is for another day as David Mark, Ike Ekweremadu, Teslim Folarin, Kanti Bello, Bello Gwarzo, Abdul Ningi,Hosea Agboola and I will need to collectively edit the story. Kanti Bello, of blessed memory, will have to make his contributions from Heaven. However I attribute this feat to his remarkable management skills but more importantly his amazing understanding of human nature. Working with him in the Senate Leadership, first as Deputy Senate Leader in the 6th. Senate and Senate Leader in the 7th. Senate, the years of the David Mark Senate Presidency, was an uncommon learning experience. His sense of and respect for time, his punctuality are astonishing and uncharacteristic of the Nigerian “big man”.

    I had the rare privilege of nominating him as Senate President of the 7th. Senate. I had used the occasion to ask the often repeated question as to who makes what; is it history that makes the man or it is the man who makes history? David Mark, Opkukpuwulu Ochi Idoma, General of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria’s longest Senator, father to many, friend to many more is certainly an historic personage who has occupied main pages of Nigeria’s history in the last forty years. Whether in these years he made the history or the history made him remains the open question.

    As he celebrates seventy years of his birth, my family and I join  him celebrating a life of life time achievements ,of God’s bountiful grace and mercy upon him ,the opportunity of friendship, friendship so deep that he made me Godfather to his son Mark ( I almost said last son but how am I to know). For us Catholics, this is a deep sign of trust and faith in another person.

    We toast to this great man and enigma at seventy. We pray for many more years in good health and contentment and that the grace, mercy and blessings of the Almighty remain and abide with him .

    Congratulations

    • Senator Ndoma-Egba OFR, CONSAN, wrote in from Abuja