The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has lamented that Nigerians have derailed from the foundation left by past leaders, stressing the need for everyone to go back to the foundation.He made the call at the fourth Nnamdi Azikiwe yearly lecture and merit award with the theme, ‘Promoting Unity in Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity In Nigeria’ in Abuja, yesterday.
Represented by the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Muhammadu Haruna, the Sultan observed that the death of Nigeria’s first President and former Premier of the Eastern Region, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, should not be waved aside, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure “we achieve Azikwe’s dream for the country.
“Looking at the generation that I belong, I think we really have to live together. What our forefathers did, it seems that we have derailed from the foundation they laid for us, and I want to use this opportunity to ask Nigerians to come back to the way our forefathers actually laid the foundation of Nigeria, so that this country can be a nation of our dreams.
“And we have no doubt that the crop of leadership we have in Nigeria today can take Nigeria to where it is supposed to be as one of the best countries.
“The death of Zik should not be waved away. We should strive to see Nigeria the way he wanted it to be before he departed this world,” he said. The Director-General of Igbo Nsukka United Front (INUF), Chineme Onyeke, urged the Federal Government to take over the management of Onuiyi Haven, the Nsukka residence of the late Zik, where he lived till his death, describing the state of the residence as a national embarrassment.
According to him, with the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, the reincarnation of Zik’s patriotic politics of national integration and unity is more desired now than ever before. Onyeke, who is also the Director General, Nnamdi Azikwe yearly lecture, said leaving the edifice in rot implies his legacy is already neglected.
He said: “As we appealed last year to the Federal Government, we hereby repeat our appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve to us land space here in Abuja to build a magnificent and befitting Zik Centre for National Unity.
“Our group, DNAAAL, intends to reach out and partner with the government of President Tinubu, through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in this respect.
The Zik Centre, when completed, would not only serve as a reference point for nationalism and patriotism, it will be a rallying point for Nigerians from all walks of life.
“Our second request is for the Federal Government to take over the management of Zik’s Onuiyi Haven heritage in Nsukka, Enugu State. When the Board of Trustees (BoT) visited the Onuiyi Haven, Nsukka this month, led by the National Patron, Prof. D.U. Opata, the delegation literally wept at the state of the residence, the building that once housed the Great Zik of Africa until his death. To say the least, the residence is a national embarrassment as the roof leaks water profusely during rainfall.
“The matriarch of Zik’s family, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, shed tears as she saw her late husband’s edifice neglected by the very country in which he fought gallantly for her independence.
“Our appeal goes to the Federal Government through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under the able Sen. George Akume to take it over, reconstruct, and renovate Zik’s house called ‘Onuiyi Haven’ and make it a national heritage centre for tourism, research and reverence.”
While expressing confidence that Tinubu was equipped to unite Nigeria for a more peaceful coexistence, he appealed to all opposition political parties and presidential candidates to join hands with the president to unite Nigerians, revamp the ailing economy, and move Nigeria to greater heights.
A former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, decried the high cost of governance in the country, saying there is a need to reform the National Assembly for legislative effectiveness.
He said the present economic challenges emphasised the need for Nigeria to have part-time and single parliamentary house with a sitting allowance.
While calling for unity, Aliyu said it was crucial and critical for leaders to demonstrate commitment to unity and act in the best interest of the country, change its mindset, see diversity as strength and embrace a shared identity.
Tags
NEWS