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Tag: Maitama Sule

  • Ojukwu, Mbakwe, Maitama Sule awards enliven Imo

    At a glittering Igbo Day event in Owerri, the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Sam Mbakwe and Maitama Sule get the highest honours, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    The late trio Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Dee Sam Onunaka Mbakwe came alive in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The city itself also came alive as it hosted an illustrious gathering on a night of honours for the unforgettable threesome. Their contributions to nation building and humanity still live after them.

    It was a night of mixed feelings at the Ikemba Ojukwu Heroes’ Pavilion, where eminent Nigerians gathered to honour the fallen heroes. With great oratory, speaker after speaker relived the times of these great Nigerians for their different roles in uniting and developing the country.

    They were conferred with posthumous awards at the maiden Imo Merit Award, a colourful event that marked this year’s Igbo Day celebrations.

    The late Maitama Sule was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of Imo (GCOI) because of his stand against corruption and divisive tendencies. He was lauded at the award ceremony for playing a key role in engendering unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.

    Kano State Governor Abdulahi Ganduje, who received the award on behalf of the late Sule, said he was a rare politician who put national interest above tribe and religion.

    Ojukwu, the late Biafran warlord, was conferred with the Grand Chancellor of the State of Imo (GCSI) for providing leadership for the Igbo, during and after the civil war.

    Ikemba as he was fondly called remained a strong voice for the Igbo until his death in November 2011. His name invoked emotion as the shouts Ikemba! Ikemba! erupted when it was announced for the honour.

    For Sam Mbakwe, first governor of old Imo State, the award of the Grand Chancellor of the State of Imo (GCSI) was described as deserving. Mbakwe is reputed to have initiated all the major infrastructure and businesses in the state.

    Some of his landmark projects which are still thriving include the famous Concorde Hotel, Imo Palm Plantation, Avutu Poultry, Aboh Mbaise Raising Paint, Textile Industry in Ehime Mbano and the Amaraku Power Plant, among others, were his projects.

    Till today, this record has remained unbeaten and it was not surprising that Dee Mbakwe, as he is fondly called, was conferred with the highest award in the state. It was rather late in coming, though, considering his contributions to the old Imo state.

    The living were not also left out, as array of distinguished personalities including frontline Igbo leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Presidents of apex Igbo and Yoruba socio-cultural groups, Ohaneze Ndigbo and Afenifere, Nnia Nwodo and Ayodebanjo, Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, Paul Unongo, former President of Ohaneze, Gary Enwo Igariwey and Chief Ndubuisi Kanu, among others who have made significant contributions to the development of the nation.

    In his speech at the event, the State governor, Rochas Okorocha, said the gesture was to remember the sacrifices made by Nigerian heroes who are no more and to show appreciation for what they did.

    He said such Award will spur the living to work harder and contribute to nation building and service to humanity, knowing that their efforts will not go down uncelebrated.

    The governor noted that the State had “chosen to honour some Nigerians who have distinguished themselves both in conduct and in service”.

    According to him, “this night is a night specially mapped out to honour our great leaders from this State and other parts of the country and beyond who have distinguished themselves excellently both in Conduct and in service and in the overall development of our dear State and nation.

    ”We have discovered that the problem with our people is that we are not good with history and the fact that we don’t easily remember the worthwhile developmental strides of our heroes past; we are at a loss in the shortest possible time and tend to forget these great nationals that have brought about our greatness”.

    He continued that, “it is therefore as a result of the foregoing that the Imo State government under law number 18 of the Imo State House of Assembly had passed a law to honour our own and those who have in one form or the other impacted on the lives of the people of this State and beyond”.

    “The Imo State Committee on the Merit Award nomination had carefully selected and eventually came up with the list of Awardees which we have decided to honour tonight”.

    In his response, Chief E.C. Iwuanyanwu said that he was elated by the Award and confessed his indifference to the Rescue Mission Government despite the kind overtures of the administration to him.

    He added that though he has received accolades from both local and international bodies, he cherishes the Imo Award most.

    President-General of Ohaneze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo poured encomiums on Governor Okorocha stating that the Award would prompt him to continue to push further the frontiers in the furtherance of Igbo development.

    He added “I know that someday, someone somewhere will recognize these efforts just like Owelle has done this glorious night. I pray for the coming together of all Igbos so that we will all come to the drawing board to see and correct where we have missed it and to take our rightful place in the comity of this entity Nigeria and the world at large. I commend Owelle Rochas Okorocha for this Award and for single-handedly building a befitting headquarters for Ohaneze Ndigbo in Enugu”.

    Governor Ganduje in his speech said “I hold this Award very precious to my heart. I am not surprised at the Award knowing that Owelle is one of the best detribalized Nigerians that have the heart for the general good of this nation. I commend the contributions of Ndigbo in Kano State and the foundation of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Foundation Colleges that have impacted positively on the lives of numerous Nigerian children from the length and breadth of this Country”.

  • Kano plans to construct centre for Maitama Sule

    Kano State Government, yesterday in Kano, unfolded plans for the construction of Yusuf Maitama Sule Center for the Advancement of Democratic Politics and Good Governance.

    While presenting the report of the Committee, set up by the task force, the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Attahiru Jega explained that the centre, would comprise a museum, royal regalia, international market, including main center.

    In a statement, Governor Ganduje Director-General, Media and Communications Ameen Yassar, said: “This project will be built along the Emir’s palace road, on the Danmasani’s/Alhaji Babayaro’s personal houses, about 26 – 28 neighboring house to be acquired by the state government and the British Council Building, respectively,” he announced.

    Jega, represented by Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, added that the project would include a road network that would benefit the neighborhood, adding that when completed, in two years time, it would not only adore the area, but also be a source of pride, a centre of excellence, research, education, training in traditional crafts and market.

  • Maitama Sule: Osinbajo, Atiku extol virtues

    Maitama Sule: Osinbajo, Atiku extol virtues

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku were among notable personalities that extolled the virtues of Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Late Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule on Thursday at the unveiling of a book on the late elder statesman.

    Others at the unveiling of the book titled: “Genius Orator,” which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, were Nigeria’s Vice President in the Second Republic, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir and former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife of Anambra State.

    In his remarks at the event, Osinbajo said Maitama Sule, who held the traditional title of Dan Masani Kano, was an exceptional character who was motivated by patriotism and selflessness.

    He said: “This was a man for whom material comforts were never a driving impulse. Public service for him was never about amassing wealth and privilege; instead it was about serving humanity and living true to his beliefs and ideals. Believing in Nigeria was one of those ideals. He was a believer until the very end.”

    He said Sule was a gifted orator, who deployed his skills to persuade, to exhort, to inspire, to set direction and create a vision.

    Osinbajo commended the author of the book, Prof. Chike F. Okolocha, for documenting Sule’s “life and views in great detail,” noting that there was need for other scholars to write “these important stories before the principal actors and characters pass on.”

    Atiku described Sule as “a combination of so many positive attributes: orator, patriot, nationalist, pan-Africanist, humanist, diplomat and educationist.”

    He said as a teacher, the deceased was also involved in voluntary teaching, where he taught people in the evenings without pay.

     

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  • Runsewe, Fasuyi pay tribute to Maitama Sule

    Runsewe, Fasuyi pay tribute to Maitama Sule

    The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has condoled with the family of Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule.

    Runsewe said Sule would be remembered for  many contributions to the development of Nigeria, especially in arts and culture.

    He recalled that as the pioneer chairman of NCAC Board in 1975, Sule laid a solid foundation for the development of the arts and culture, adding that he was at the forefront in promoting cultural values.

    The NCAC chief recalled that the late Sule stood against cultural imperialism and spent his entire life promoting African cultural values as the bedrock for national unity, integration and development.

    According to Runsewe, Maitama Sule was a true patriot, a moralist who spoke against corruption, bad governance and discrimination along religious, political and ethnic divide.

    As a democrat, Runsewe said, the late Sule was an apostle of the rule of law, democratic good governance based on the principles of free, fair and peaceful elections. ‘’He will be remembered as one Nigerian who spent his entire life fighting for the unity, peace and development of the Nigeria nation state,’’ Runsewe added.

    Also, former Arts Adviser to the Federal Government and founder, TAFAS Legacy Gallery, Ikeja, Lagos, Chief Timothy Banjo Fasuyi, described the late Maitaima Sule as a detribalised Nigerian, who was democratic and full of honour. Fasuyi disclosed that Sule was to be chairman of his last birthday exhibition in May, but could not make it because of health challenges.

    “The death of Maitama Sule was a shock to me. Shock not because he was young, but that he was a true friend dating back to the 70s. In fact, he was to be the chairman of my last birthday exhibition in May. But because of his health he could not make it.

    “I met him in 1970 when I was the Federal Art Adviser, and I realised that there was no central authority on arts and culture in Nigeria. There was Northern Nigeria Cultural Society under Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, and there was a Lagos Arts Council with Chief Ajanaku Araba as chairman. I thought there should be a national body. I then wrote a paper to government to that effect and I was given the green light to go ahead. I met Araba in Lagos and Maitama Sule in Kano who called a meeting of his society members on my mission. He was a man of culture and very democratic.

    “At the Kaduna meeting, a paper on the policy and work schedule of the proposed art council was ratified and culture was placed under Information Ministry  with Chief Kola Balogun as Minister. The new council was approved as National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) with branches in the twelve states,” he added.

    Fasuyi said Sule was the first chairman of NCAC and that each time he visited Lagos for meetings, he conducted himself as a civilised gentleman and was highly respected by all. ‘’He was a detribalised Nigerian with lots of ideas,’’ he said.  According to him, Maitama Sule was very honest and upright in dealing with people and was never ready to accept what he never deserved even as chairman of the council.

    “He used his wisdom to save us during one of the national festivals in Kaduna following a protest when the Atilogu dancers from the Eastern zone won the trophy in dancing competition. He suggested that to prevent undue protests, dance should be categorised into war, social and civilian dances. And that gave different zones the opportunity to win one of the trophies in dance competitions,” he added.

  • Maitama Sule (1929 – 2017)

    Maitama Sule (1929 – 2017)

    •A statesman departs

    He came close to being Nigeria’s president, which says something concrete about his political importance. He was a well-rated aspirant to the country’s highest political office at a turning point that saw the end of an era of military rule and the beginning of a period of democratic governance.  If he had been the candidate of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 1979 presidential election, perhaps the country’s political history might have taken a significantly different path. But Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule didn’t make it. His party endorsed Alhaji Shehu Shagari who became president and was eventually removed by the military.

    It is testimony to Sule’s rating that his death in Cairo, Egypt, on July 3 at the age of 87 raised the critical question of what could have been if he had been president. He was, without doubt, an outstanding northern figure in politics, known for his polished personality, his eloquence and oratorical skill.

    Sule’s political trajectory from the 1950s confirmed his political strength, and among the high points of his political progress were his appointments as Minister of Mines and Power, 1954, and Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints, 1976.

    In 1979, he was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) under a democratically elected government; and he became Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid. It is a reflection of his diplomatic ability that he played the diplomatic role with remarkable distinction.

    His time at the UN was captured in a tribute by a former Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora: “Under his outstanding leadership, we had a great team at the UN that was held in high esteem by the other UN missions. He was a man of great vision and almost became Nigeria’s President. I often wondered if our country, Nigeria, will not have done better under his leadership.”

    It is a measure of his integrity that he was in 1983 appointed Minister for National Guidance, a position created by the Shagari administration in response to corruption issues in the polity.

    Sule promoted northern interests, but usually in a non-offensive way. Unsurprisingly, he attracted controversy when he was quoted as saying: “Everyone has a gift from God. The Northerners are endowed by God with leadership qualities. The Yoruba man knows how to earn a living and has diplomatic qualities. The Igbo man is gifted in trade, commerce, and technological innovation. God so created us equally with purpose and different gifts.”

    Although he expressed such a contentious view on the alleged superior leadership capability of his northern compatriots, it is noteworthy that Sule was not known for extremism. Indeed, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said of him: “He did not waver in lending his voice to the promotion of moderation in national discourse, and his graceful conduct thereto would be sorely missed.”

    How he managed the loss of his sight in his advanced years showed his resilient interiority.  A tribute personally signed by President Muhammadu Buhari painted a striking picture: “As a person, I found him personable with unceasing good humour. Nothing personified his faith more than the fact that on losing his sight he did not retreat in himself sulking on account of his ill-fortune. Quite the contrary, he honoured virtually all invitations extended to him and spoke as usual with singular eloquence and unparalleled wit.”

    Sule was untainted in his public life, and was widely acknowledged as an “elder statesman.” His position as Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum signified the respect he enjoyed in his immediate environment where he also played a prominent traditional role as Dan Masanin Kano.

    He spoke like a sensible statesman when he said: “What Nigeria needs now is good leadership to develop and excel. Nigeria wants good leaders, not rulers, for it to take its pride of place in Africa. A country without good leadership cannot have good government.”

    Sule’s patriotism and passionate advocacy for good governance in Nigeria are enduring legacies.

  • Maitama Sule’s death: Nigeria’s unity in dilemma, says Atiku

    Maitama Sule’s death: Nigeria’s unity in dilemma, says Atiku

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigeria’s unity is in a dilemma with the demise of elder statesman, Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule.

    Atiku, who will be installed as Wazirin Adamawa on Friday, addressed reporters at the Kano Government House, when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

    His words: “The unity of our people and the role he (Maitama Sule) could have played in the restoration of that unity has gone with him, now we are in a dilemma.

    “We don’t have somebody like Dan Massani from the North anymore to do that. So, we should not forget about the unity of Nigeria, rather, we should try to find people of similar beliefs and antecedents like Dan Massanin Kano, to continue his good works.”

    “It is impossible for me to describe his contributions to the evolvement of modern Nigeria but I know we have lost one of our greatest Nigerians that ever lived.

    “Your Excellency, we have come to condole with you as brothers, we have come to pray for the repose of his soul. We thank you very much for giving us this opportunity and we hope the people of Kano will, by the grace of God, produce another Dan Massani who will fit into his footsteps and offer his contributions to the unity and survival of this country.”

    Responding, Ganduje said: “I am happy with your coming.

    “Dan Massanin Kano was a great man and his name will continue to be great, not only in Kano, but in the whole of Nigeria.

    “Like you said, time will not allow you to enumerate the deceased’s contribution to the development of Nigeria, even to Africa.

    “We have really lost a father. We will continue to imbibe his character and his sermons will lead us.”

    Others who visited Ganduje included former Vice President Namadi Sambo, and leadership of the northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    Sambo described Sule as a true nationalist who believed in the peaceful co-existence and stability of the country, which he showed until his death.

  • ‘Maitama Sule, a stabilising influence’

    ‘Maitama Sule, a stabilising influence’

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has described the late Alhaji Maitama Sule as a major stabilising influence in Nigeria, stressing that he will be missed.

    In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, Ikpeazu condoled his Kano State counterpart, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, the emirate council and people of Kano State on the death of the frontline nationalist and statesman.

    “Alhaji Sule was a major stabilizing influence in Nigeria. We will surely miss him at this time but give God thanks for allowing us share same space with him for 88 years.

    “On behalf of myself and the good people of Abia State, I pray that God will grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Maitama Sule stood for unity, says Peace Corps boss

    Maitama Sule stood for unity, says Peace Corps boss

    The National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Ambassador Dickson Akoh has described the late Maitama Sule as somebody who stood for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

    Reacting to the elder statesman’s death, the PCN boss in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja said: “The Peace Corps of Nigeria commiserate with the Federal Government, the Kano State Government and indeed Nigerians in general over the demise of an illustrious Nigerian, an orator par excellence, Elder Statesman, Alhaji (Dr) Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano.

    “Before his transition into eternal glory at a ripe age of 87 years, resonated de persona which actually defined his leadership qualities in all ramifications of our National life; he exuded the candour of an astute politician and selfless Nationalist and his fidelity to the indivisibility of the Nigerian project was not only legendary, but simply unbeatable.

    “As a man not easily convinced by multiplicity of men fighting a particular course, but would always seek out reasons before venturing into either declaring supports or opposition to an idea on display, he stood as an eagle with uncompromising standard as he offered his continuous and total support towards the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps before the National Assembly at that time. His supports for the Bill no doubt acted as a clarion call on many leaders of thought in our nation, as Peace Corps of Nigeria got an overwhelming support from all across the Nation, indeed he will be forever remembered by Officers and Men of the Peace Corps of Nigeria.

    “He will always be in the minds of Nigerian youths for the unprecedented support and policy initiatives he championed which has led to the emancipation of the youth into the main stream of activities of our dear nation.

    “We recount with mix feelings of fulfillment and sadness how he magnanimously Chaired our 18th Anniversary Celebration held at Eagle Square with colorful event such as the Anniversary Parade  just a year ago, despite his age, he was not weary as he equally Honored us by making it to the Gala Night held at International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja later that evening, his charisma and oratorical prowess were on display, a development that made that event a reference point in the annals of such occasions in Nigerian history.

    “We join the good people of Kano State to mourn the Elder state man that stood for the Unity of our dear Nation even till death; his Nationalistic spirit is cherished by all our members across the Nation.  May the ever merciful and most benevolent God grant his departed soul eternal rest!”

  • Maitama Sule and I

    Maitama Sule and I

    I met Maitama Sule three times. Twice at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in the early 1990s.They were debate sessions. We sparred over the state of the country, journalism, international politics. In his colourful babanriga, feisty spirit and ringing voice, he spoke with me as though we were contemporaries. We were at polar points but we exchanged ideas with cheer. He came across as a profound follower of news and events around the world. Our last tango was about American anchor Walter Cronkite. He wished we could replicate his stature. Cronkite made President Lyndon Johnson not to run for re-election.

    The last time I saw him, he could not see me. I was compere at a book launch. He grabbed my hands and poured out a visceral prayer. It was a divine meeting. As he goes home, I also pray for him from the bottom of my heart. He was a great man.

  • Maitama Sule was loved by all, says Jonathan

    Maitama Sule was loved by all, says Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yesterday in Kano described the late Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule as a leader that was loved by all, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

    Jonathan who was in Kano to condole with Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II and the people of Kano State over the death of the elder statesman said Maitama Sule contributed immensely to the economic and political development of the country.

    He urged Ganduje to continue to support Maitama Sule’s family, adding that he was a man of sterling qualities that endowed him into the mind of the people as nobody spoke ill of him till his death.

    “Continue to assist the family. Maitama Sule was among our great leaders who did not think about their pockets when they were in positions, they thought about the nation,” he added.

    According to him, “We have several statesmen, but Maitama Sule is one person that most of his talks are not centred on the issue of one section of the country or the other, on one reason or the other, most of his public utterances centred on Nigeria as a corporate body. So, he was somebody that is loved by so many people, or I will say, all, because I have never heard anybody who speaks ill of Maitama Sule.”

    He added that, “the late Maitama Sule is beyond Kano. We lost a great son of Kano State, he is a great son of Nigeria, and he was one person that played a key role in the development of this country, both in the political and economic growth of Nigeria, before independence and after independence.

    “He has served in all kinds of offices that one should serve, he has been a parliamentarian, he has been a minister, he has been an ambassador and not just an ambassador, and he was a Permanent Representative of this country to the United Nations.

    “He has done a lot to propel the growth of this country. But most important thing about him is not because he has the power of oratory or because he has served in several positions, but because he is a man that believed in the unity of his country. He was a man that advocated for good governance and believed that Nigerians should live peacefully together and propel the growth of this country.”

    Former President Jonathan said the late Maitama Sule was one of the pillars of his government, “when I became the Vice President, then later the President, I met and I have discussed with him on several occasions, I cannot remember the number of times, and any time we sit down to discuss, I learn so much from him. You gain a lot of inspiration and encouragement, because of his commitment to the corporate development and the unity of our country.”

    According to him, “we have lost a leader, we have lost a father dear to all of us, but he is from Kano and it is only proper for me to come and pay condolence to the great people of Kano through the governor, my great friend, thank you for what you are doing in Kano. I have always been briefed about your developmental strides in Kano.

    “Thank you for the role you have played about the burial of our great leader. Thank you for immortalizing his name by naming the North-West University after him. He merits it.

    “So, for people like you who have come at this time to play a key role in his last days on earth, we thank you sincerely. My brothers and sisters, on behalf of my delegation, I thank all of you for receiving us; this is my formal condolence letter to the great people of Kano state.”

    In his remarks, the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked former President Jonathan for coming to pay condolence to himself, the Emir and Kano people over the demise of Maitama Sule.

    “This is not the first time you are here on issues affecting Kano; you have been here several times even after you vacated the seat of the presidency. So, there are no better words to appreciate your coming than to thank you and thank you very much. There is no doubt late Maitama Sule, Dan Massanin Kano, he was a great man, he was a man greater than the perception that he is a Kano man. He is even beyond Nigerian shores. If you listen to him carefully, if you listen to his stories, you will know that he is an African man.”

    Among those who accompanied Jonathan to Kano were former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Governor of Kano, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, former Minister of Internal Affairs, Abba Moro, former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Kabiru, among others.