Service is bedrock of responsible leadership, says Marwa
From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki
FORMER Lagos State Military Administrator, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) has said that service remains the bedrock of any responsible leadership.
Speaking in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital at the weekend when he visited Deputy Governor, Dr. Chigozie Ogbu, Marwa, who is also the chairman of Albarka Airlines, said he was in the state as part of the activities of his endowment and to fulfil the promise he made to Egwu government during the immortalisation of the late Ezeogo, Dr. Akanu Ibiam.
"I have, therefore, come to make my own modest contribution in honour of the late sage, Akanu Ibiam. Here is a cheque of N500,000 on behalf of the Buba Marwa Endowment to support the state government on the immortalisation process", Marwa said.
He stated that the life of the late elder statesman was an example of a shining leadership founded on service to the people.
The Albarka Airlines chief executive said through the endowment, he and his friends were trying to actualise the idea of service to the people, adding that he wanted to demonstrate that even out of governance, one could render services.
He explained that the endowment seeks to collaborate with governments and other agencies to improve the lot of rural dwellers.
He went on: "The Buba Marwa Endowment has graduated a total of 1,500 youths from the universities and 1,000 others are still enjoying the scholarship grants nationwide.
"In effort to practise what we preach, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) has acquired centres in 12 states to impart morals and skills to young people".
Ogbu described Marwa as a man of his words, saying that "by coming as you promised and donating N500,000, you have associated yourself with the noble cause of immortalising the foremost Nigerian, the late Ezeogo, Dr. Akanu Ibiam".
Ogbu urged him to extend the good gesture to Ebonyi State by providing water for the rural communities.
Earlier in an interaction with reporters, Marwa said the Igbo have a right to aspire to the Presidency, but explained that Nigeria needs the collective effort of all ethnic groups to move forward.
Marwa denied the allegation that the telecommunications giant, MTN, was funding his campaign for president come 2007.
He also denied that he was using the Buba Marwa Foundation in a nationwide campaign to actualise his presidential ambition.
