A book titled: “Makers of Northern Nigeria,” a compendium of personalities who aided the development of the North was launched yesterday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The book, first of its kind in the history of the region, contains a brief bio-data of over 200 men and women from the North who steered the region to its sunshine and glory.
Prominent personalities who attended the book launch include representatives of the vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) chairman, Chief Don Etiebet, among others.
Others include the Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Hassan Ahmed II, Ajiyan Bauchi, Alhaji Adamu Tafawa Balewa, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, (Dan Masanin Kano) and Alhaji Ibrahim Mai Sule, Turakin Bade among others.
However, former president Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), were represented.
Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Maitama Sule who was the guest speaker, said that the present political leaders lack values to transform the socio-economic well-being of the country.
He said that Nigerian contemporary political leaders were in politics only to enrich themselves and their immediate family to the detriment of the people.
He said that the major consideration of the former leaders was the development and protection of their people without religious, tribal or cultural considerations.
According to him, the former leaders led their followers very well because they (the leaders) understood the teachings of their different religions, which guided them to provide purposeful leadership for their followers.
“Former political leaders were in politics not to make money, not to collect but to give, not to be served but to serve and that was why they left nothing but their mud houses.
“They were men of integrity, honesty, accountability and dedication. Sir Ahmadu Bello worked with Mr Sunday B. Awoniyi, the Chief of Kagoro, Chief Gwamna Awan and so many christians to build the North without discrimination on the basis of tribe, religion or culture,” he reminisced.
Earlier in his remarks, the vice president, Atiku Abubakar, said that the people of the North have a great task to help rekindle the shared values of the region for which the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello worked so hard to attain.
He said in a message that events since the end of colonial rule has transformed the society but that the challenges are how to harness the positive aspects of these changes for the good of the people.
In his remarks, ANPP chairman, Chief Don Etiebet, said that the challenges of moving the nation forward must be taken seriously in order to leave a legacy for generations yet unborn.
He said that it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to rise up to the challenge of good governance and accountability to ensure a prosperous Nigeria.
