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Tag: Maitama Sule

  • Why democracy is failing in Africa – Maitama Sule

    Why democracy is failing in Africa – Maitama Sule

    Former permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, and elder stateman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, has said democracy is failing in Africa because the culture of the people was not taken into account in shaping it.

    In an address at the opening of the first Faculty of Arts International Conference of the University of Calabar at the Conference Centre of the institution, Sule said: “In Africa, we have been having problems with democracy and I believe it is because we have not taken into account our cultural background in shaping our type of democracy. Is the American style of democracy the same as that of Great Britain? Is the British the same as France’s? Is France practicing the same as Russia? Until we take our culture into consideration in shaping our own democracy, we shall not succeed and (will) continue to have problems. The democracy we are practicing today is not Afrocentric, but Eurocentric. We are not practicing our democracy along the lines of our culture.”

    The Conference had as its theme, Globalisation and Democratic Values in Africa: Perspective in the Humanities.

    Sule also emphasised the need for justice for everyone in a democratic setting. “I believe in democracy,” he said. “At the end of the day, it is justice for all. The president has to do justice to all irrespective of background. Justice should be done to whosoever deserves it. That is democracy. Justice is the only way that we can follow to achieve greatness and it should be done to all and sundry. The world should never be government by force and fear and power. Justice is what this democracy wants.”

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Zana Akpagu, said that the topic for the conference was apt, especially as the world had become a global village where anything that happens in any part of the world affects every other part. He said: “Nigeria is still grappling with democracy, but we will get there and we can only get there through discussions like this, and for us as an administration, we are ready to encourage any efforts geared to enthroning the culture of intellectual discussion. We are ready to promote academic excellence through seminars and conferences like this.”

    Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof (Mrs) Dorothy Oluwagbemi-Jacob, said democracy is a cherished value and it is particularly appealing to those whose yearnings for freedom, equality and justice are daily frustrated.

    Oluwagbemi-Jacob said genuine democracy creates space for incentives to increase the productivity of the people, make provision for social welfare services in education and health to enable people produce more, as well as make it possible for the people to choose their representatives to governmental decision-making bodies.

    The Dean added that globalisation studies call for an interdisciplinary approach comprehensive enough to capture the ‘big picture’, and hoped that the conference would provide answers to the link between globalisation and democracy.

    Among dignitaries who attended the event and made contributions were former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Idongesit Nkanga; and Rt Hon Nduese Essien, among others.

  • Why democracy is failing in Africa – Maitama Sule

    Why democracy is failing in Africa – Maitama Sule

    Former permanent representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and elder stateman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Wednesday said democracy was failing in Africa because the culture of the people was not being taken into consideration in shaping it.

    Speaking at the opening of the first Faculty of Arts International Conference of the University of Calabar at the Conference Centre of the institution Wednesday, Sule, said, “In Africa we have been having problems with democracy and I believe it is because we have not taken into account our cultural background in shaping our type of democracy.

    “Is the American style of democracy the same as that of Great Britain? Is the British the same as France? Is France practicing the same as Russia? Until we take our culture into consideration in shaping our own democracy, we shall not succeed and continue to have problems. The democracy we are practicing today is not Afrocentric, but Eurocentric. We are not practicing our democracy along the lines of our culture.”

    The Conference had as its theme, Globalization and Democratic Values in Africa: Perspective in the Humanities.

    Sule also emphasized the need for justice for everyone in a democratic setting.

    He said, “I believe in democracy. At the end of the day it is justice for all. The president has to do justice to all irrespective of background. Justice should be done to whosoever deserves it. That is democracy. Justice is the only way that we can follow to achieve greatness and it should be done to all and sundry. The world should never be government by force and fear and power. Justice is what this democracy wants.”

    Vice Chancellor, Prof Zana Akpagu, said the topic for the conference was very apt, especially in view of the fact that the world was now a global village, as anything that happens in any part of the world affects every other part.

    “Nigeria is still grappling with democracy, but we will get there and we can only get there through discussions like this, and for us as an administration we are ready to encourage any efforts that are geared to enthroning the culture of intellectual discussion. We are ready to promote academic excellence through seminars and conferences like this,” he said.

    Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof (Mrs) Dorothy Oluwagbemi-Jacob, said democracy is a cherished value and it is particularly appealing to those whose yearnings for freedom, equality and justice are daily frustrated.

    Oluwagbemi-Jacob said genuine democracy creates space for incentives to increase the productivity of the people, make provision for social welfare services in education and health to enable people produce more, as well as make it possible for the people to choose their representatives to governmental decision-making bodies.

    The Dean said globalization studies call for an interdisciplinary approach comprehensive enough to capture the ‘big picture’, and hoped the Conference would provide answers to the link between globalization and democracy.

    Among dignitaries who attended the event as well as made contributions were former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; former governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Idongesit Nkanga; and Rt Hon Nduese Essien among others.

     

  • Maitama Sule blames fuel crisis on rot in oil sector

    Maitama Sule blames fuel crisis on rot in oil sector

    Elder statesman and former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Alhaji Yusuf Maitaima Sule has said President Muhammadu Buhari should not be blamed for the fuel scarcity.

    He said Nigeria would soon be better and urged Nigerians to cooperate and wait for better days.

    Speaking to reporters yesterday in Abuja, Sule noted that those blaming Buhari for the fuel scarcity and hardship were not fair to him or the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

    His words: “Let us be honest to ourselves. Is the administration responsible for the woes and ills we are suffering at the moment? They have inherited them. This administration has been there for one year. And one good thing is that they are doing something to address the problems they met on ground.”

    According to him, the problem in the oil sector could not be overcome overnight due to the technical nature of the sector.

    “It is like having a chronic wound and you want it to heal; to wash it is painful; scrap it, is equality painful; apply medicine is painful also. Unless you experience the pains, the wound will not heal… We are experiencing some pains no doubt but after these pains there will be ease, but with patience and prayers, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

  • Why Buhari must work with elders, by Maitama Sule

    Why Buhari must work with elders, by Maitama Sule

    Elder statesman and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Alhaji Maitama Sule has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to work with the nation’s elders to achieve the needed change in his government.

    Sule gave the advice in Abuja at the inaugural ceremony and the international conference of the African Society for Ageing Research and Development on Ageing, organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in collaboration with World Health Organisation, (WHO)

    The theme was: “New Realities of Ageing in Africa: Implications for Research and Policy”.

    He added that Buhari should not abandon the aged, but adopt the mixture of the young and aged in the formation of his cabinet to produce the country’s better future leaders.

    According to him, the deterioration of values and leadership qualities across a broad spectrum of society called for concern.

    His words: “Every society needs old people; because new breed without the old breed will breed greed. We also need the youthful exuberant of the young. You need the experience of the old, which you cannot buy in any market.  “

    “Our country must take care of the aged because this is to their own interest and benefit. As long as the aged are not dead, they are useful to the people and they must not be dumped in aged home.”

    He lauded the NUC for its pioneering role in enlightening the society on challenges faced by the senior citizens in the society.

    The NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, said about 6.5 million aged people, who are 60 years and above, are in Nigeria.

    Okojie, who said ageing was an irreversible process, added that the conference was convened to help discuss African approach to the well-being of older persons.

    “We must find an African strategy to deal with the challenges facing the older persons of the society.”

  • Maitama Sule seeks constructive criticisms of Buhari

    Maitama Sule seeks constructive criticisms of Buhari

    An elder statesman, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, on Tuesday asked Nigerians to criticise this administration responsibly and constructively.

    Sule spoke to State House correspondents after meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

    He described the advent of the administration as the “dawn of a new era’’, saying the administration would deliver on its promises.

    “I call upon Nigerians to give them (President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo), their  honest and sincere support.

    “Tell them if they do wrong or if they go wrong, support them if they do the right thing, but do it in a responsible and constructive manner.

    “That we shall do for we have confidence in them. We don’t want them to fail and by the grace of God they will not fail,’’ he said.

    The motivational speaker observed that the country was beset by insecurity and bad image abroad.

    “It is when you have good leaders that we will bring an end to the insecurity and the bad image abroad.

    “Leaders with integrity are the ones that can bring about change and we have that in these two men. I am confident that things would be what they should be.’’

    The sage noted that the “international community is giving Nigeria respect’’.

    “And I think the President has established that reputation as a military leader, a reputation of instilling discipline, raising the tone of the society and fighting graft.

     

     

  • Injustice responsible for rising crimes – Maitama Sule

    Injustice responsible for rising crimes – Maitama Sule

    •Akpabio blames PDP’s loss on choice of wrong candidates

    Former permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Alhaji Maitama Sule, has blamed the rising level of crimes in the country on injustice and lack of qualitative leadership.

    Sule, who spoke in Abuja yesterday as a guest during the 70th birthday celebration of Chief Ojo Maduekwe, told the dignitaries that in order for the country to move forward, there was need to ensure that only worthy leaders were elected to hold public offices. The cerebral orator also hinted that it was time for the country to produce true leaders and not looters or rulers.

    He said Nigeria is destined to be great among the comity of nations, but insisted that such greatness was only predicated on qualitative leadership.

    Sule said: “The leaders we had in the past made Nigerians great. Nigerians were proud and respected in the world. These founding fathers were historic. They always thought of Nigeria first. They were not greedy. If we have leaders who are good, godly and focused, everything will be alright. We want leaders and not rulers. We need leaders and not looters. We want leaders who will rule with the hand of honesty. We need leaders who will not steal and are not corrupt.

    “I refuse to accept the claim that religion and tribalism are the main problems of Nigeria. All the religions teach the same values. Christians are thought to love one another. Same thing goes for Muslims. All the religions of God teach peace. Nigerian Muslims are more religious than other Muslims in other parts of the world. But do we practice what Islam says? No religion teaches that you should kill others who do not share your faith.

    “You go into politics to serve the people. The most important thing is justice for all. Again, both religions encourage us to be just to all. Injustice is behind every crisis. Once there is justice and fair play, we will not have crisis.

    “We have fallen by the way side. What is happening in Nigeria is not in our character. The government institutions have broken down. Respect for elders is not there. There is lawlessness and chaos in the polity. There is corruption in the country. What is responsible for all these is lack of leadership. Nigeria is a potential great country. We have been destined by God to lead Africa.

    “I have a dream that Nigeria will one day be united. I have a dream that Nigeria will be our brother’s keeper. I have a dream that Nigeria will be respected among comity of nations. In order to realize this dream, we must have good leaders. May God grant that we may have good leaders.”

    Meanwhile, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has blamed the monumental loss of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections on wrong choice of candidates by the party.

    He said the PDP would have opted for the first 11 in order to win the elections, instead it went for the wrong candidates. He said his party has now been saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the opposition at the federal level.

    His words: “Ojo Maduekwe is my mentor. I know that God loves you. Nigerians love you. You are celebrating your birthday. PDP did what we have always done in the past 16 years. We did not use our best 11 and that was why we lost the elections. We have now been saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the opposition. I believe that even in business or in any endeavour, we must go for the best 11.”

  • Polls: Eschew politics of bitterness, Maitama Sule urges politicians

    Polls: Eschew politics of bitterness, Maitama Sule urges politicians

    Elder statesman and former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule Wednesday in Kano urged politicians to eschew violence and embrace peace as the 2015 general elections draw near.

    Alhaji Maitama Sule who was the first Minister of Oil spoke at the Elders Statesmen/Stakeholders Seminar on peaceful conduct of 2015 election organized at the instance of Kano state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, regretted why violence and electoral Mal-practice is now the order of the day.

    “It was not like this during our days,” he stated, while giving instances how political leaders like Tafawa Balewa, Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe played politics without bitterness.

    According to him, “these great leaders belonged to different political parties; but they loved one another, they respected one another—they thought us who were following them how to respect one another and the unity of the country was paramount to all of us.”

    He further advocated for peace during the electioneering campaign, peace during the election and peace after the election, while urging politicians to desist from inflammatory statements capable of plunging the country into unnecessary sociopolitical or religious crises.

    Also speaking at the event, Kano state Deputy Governor and gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, regretted that, “political violence is a very serious issue, not only in Kano state but all over Nigeria and in developing countries.

    “Here in Kano, it is an issue that we should take very serious; it is beyond making pledges. We should be seen taking some concrete steps to avoid political violence—rather than making mere statements.

    “First of all, I will like all political parties to admit that we are all guilty. It is not the aspirants, but their followers and we need to educate and sensitize them from engaging in violence or carrying dangerous weapons with the suspicion that other parties would want to attack them.”

    Ganduje, however, urged aggrieved politicians to channel their complaints to security agencies instead of taking the laws into their hands, adding that with the measures already taken by security agencies to promote peace and order, there was no gainsaying the fact the 2015  election in Kano would be conducted peaceful.

    Also speaking, gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Malam Salihu Sagir Takai also sued for peace, noting that elections should not be seen as a matter of do-or-die.

    “Really we need peace, peace is life. If there is no peace, there will be no life at all anywhere in the world, and Nigeria is part of the world and Kano state is part of Nigeria. So, in any case, we need peace, we love peace and we want peace even in these elections and in anything you do—in our home, in our markets, in our Mosque and churches—everywhere, we need peace.

    “So, we need peaceful election in Nigeria. We need peaceful election in Kano state; we need free and fair election in this country. So, we in the PDP are hoping for a peaceful election and we call on all the contestants within the PDP and outside the PDP to also embrace peace.”

    In his speech, the Commissioner of Police said: “we have come together to join hands with our political actors to ensure that the coming elections in the state are conducted peacefully, and free of rancor between the political actors and their supporters, and to witness the signing of peace accord between aspirants from all political parties for those that will contest the positions of Governors, Senate and the House of Representatives.

    “The coming elections have generated tension within the populace and we considered it imperative that all persons of goodwill should lend a helping hand to reign in the excesses of some of our political actors who have been using the teeming population of our youth to perpetrate violence in the state.

    “It is the resolve of the security agencies in the state to provide a level playing ground for all political parties and actors to carry out their political activities such as campaigns and rallies without molestation, coercion, intimidation and attacks by political opponents under any guise.

    “The ordinary citizens residing in the state who are not card carrying members of any political parties are in the majority and they deserve to be free from fear and intimidation from misguided political party’s supporters and actors who are involved in political thuggery, inciting and causing disturbances of public peace and brandishing weapons in full glare of the public which contravenes our laws of the land.”

    All security chiefs in the state, including the Director of State Security Service, Bassey Etang, Commander of 3 Brigade, Brigadier-General O. Ejemai, Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Garba Ahmadu, Commander of 303 Flying Training School, Air-Commodore Iyamu  and others who spoke all campaigned for peace and order during the elections.

    Highlight of the seminar was the signing of Peace Accord document by candidates of all the political parties, which was moderated by the chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Kano branch, Bar. Mamman Lawal Yusufari.

     

  • North’s situation challenging, says Maitama Sule

    North’s situation challenging, says Maitama Sule

    First Republic Minister Maitama Sule said yesterday in Kano that he has written to President Goodluck Jonathan, intimating him of the security challenges in the North.

    Addressing the Northern Youth Development Foundation (NYDF) delegation in Kano, Sule said he was convinced that the North is suffering from humiliation and discrimination.

    “I wrote to the Chairman Northern Governors Forum and the President telling them about the prevailing situation.

    “ I also pointed out that if President  Goodluck Jonathan doesn’t stop it, we would have disastrous consequences.”

    “The situation in the country is so bad, but I believe what we should do is to get together and tell one another the truth-let us agree to accommodate our differences and put Nigeria above personal interest.”

    Sule urged the leadership class to respond to  constructive criticism where necessary.

    He praised the group for not taking the law into their hands and how they respectfully presented their case to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II.

    The former minister acknowledged that every religion preaches peace and peaceful coexistence as the first doctrine of every religion.

    Sule said the ugly things  the country  is passing through will soon come to pass, pointing out that as the Civil War , among other crises, has come to pass.

    He expressed the belief that dialogue can still solve the problem in the country and is still the best option to any crisis.

  • Elders meet in Kano over Boko Haram

    Borno Elders Forum yesterday in Kano decried the silence of the Federal Government on the carnage in Borno State.

    The elders noted that the security challenges in the Northeast, particularly Borno State, was a concern for Nigerians.

    Convener of the conference Maitama Sule said the purpose was to unite the North to enable it speak with one voice.

    In a message: ‘’ State of the North’’, Sule said the North is united.

    He condemned the use of religion to divide the region and called on the Federal Government to deploy its might to halt the killings, adding that both religions preach love, peace and not violence.

    “A situation where a community is wiped out, places of worship destroyed without recourse to women, children and the elderly is barbaric and cannot be linked to a particular religion.’’

    In his address, titled: ‘’The North: A Past in the Future’’, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed lamented that the people of the North were today without leaders, who will take a stand on the national conference and convince the nation to respect that position.

    Ahmed regretted that the North lacks leaders to move against the assault on the lives of poor and defenceless citizens.

     

  • He gave his all, says Maitama Sule

    He gave his all, says Maitama Sule

    Former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule, has described the late former South African president, Dr. Nelson Mandela, as a great leader who gave his all to South Africa and Africa.

    In a chat with State House correspondents in Abuja yesterday, Sule said: ”One would expect him, as it is happening in many parts of Africa today, to perpetuate his stay in office, to spend as many years in office as he spent in prison. But he decided after one term to step down and give other people a chance. A good example.

    “Mandela was a patriot. Mandela was a dogged fighter. Mandela was an excellent reconciliator. Mandela was a decent politician.

    “Mandela was a very just and fair ruler; a ruler who believed in serving his people; in giving them and not taking from them. A leader who knew when to leave and he left. He left when the ovation was loudest.

    “Africa has a lot to learn from Mandela. He was an exemplary leader worthy of emulation. Indeed Mandela is the greatest son of Africa.