Abdulsalami denies presidential ambition in 2007
From Muhammad Ajah,
in Port Harcourt
The former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has refuted reports that he has presidential ambition in 2007. General Abdulsalami, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, questioned the source of the story, saying the report was false. According to him, in a refined democracy, any citizen of any given place is qualified to contest any elective position so long as the contestant meets the criteria laid down for such position by the constitution.
He said democracy has come to stay, even as he observed that until the fundamental problems of corruption and poverty are tackled with seriousness, democracy may continue to remain at risk in this country. He said though the present government was barely a year and half in its second term, it was absurd for political office-holders to start aiming for office when proper dividends of democracy have not reached the electorates.
General Abdulsalami expressed hope for a better Nigeria and urged government at all levels to strive to accomplish their promises to the people. He tasked countrymen and women on harmony, unity, selfless services and democratic ethics.
Commenting on the constitution, he said there was no perfection in any man-made constitution, saying that people should continue to learn and amend the constitution to fit the best standard of their life. According to him, some sections of the Nigerian Constitution needed review, as democracy still tastes its hard times in the country.
Meanwhile, General Abdul-salami has urged the private sector to fully participate in the funding of universities across the nation to achieve educational standard. Speaking as the special guest at the 6th annual public lecture/fund raising ceremony organised by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Alumni Association, Rivers State branch, the former head of state noted that funding has been identified as the major obstacle to universities. He said that a situation where government was left to take care of everything in the tertiary institutions of learning does not augur well for the nation, since even with huge budget, it was impossible for government to provide everything that the universities needed. He therefore called on wealthy Nigerians, corporate bodies and multinationals to make effective contribution to the nation’s learning system by providing necessary funds to universities, especially through alumni associations.
Earlier in her speech, the Rivers State branch Chairman of ABU Alumni Association, Princess H.I. Ogan, had said that the association’s Rivers/Bayelsa branch was conceived in the late 70’s on the realisation that there were many graduates of ABU Alma mater in Port Harcourt.
He urged national, international, governmental and non-governmental organisations to assist in the development of ABU in order to adequately cope with the challenges of the digital economy of the 21st century.
At the end of the occasion, merit awards were given to top ABU alumni like Chief Arthur Mbanefo, Prof Abdullahi Mahadi, Dr. Amachree S.M.O., Engr. Ukot Ukot, among others.
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