The Custodian April 26, 2014
TWO former Heads of State,
Gen.Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar led other Nigerian and
Africa leaders to the 70th birthday celebration of the former Foreign Affairs
Minister and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tom
Ikimi in Igueben, Edo State, as the former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings
warned the Federal Government that military alone cannot stop the insurgency
being perpetrated by Boko Haram
He pleaded that as the most populous African nation,Nigeria must
not allow the International community to come into its affairs due to the
prevailing insecurity, asserting that the war on terror would be won if all
Nigerians work in unity.
This comes as Governor Adams Oshiomhole who poured encomium on
Chief Ikimi, urged Nigerian leaders to make sacrifices that will help the
growth of the nation, saying that without sacrifices by leaders, there may be
no hope for the youths of the nation.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include the former
Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Senator Ben Obi; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu;
Chief Bisi Akande; Chief Audu Ogbe;Chief John Oyegun; Prof.Osariemen Osunbor;
Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; Chief Lucky Igbinedion; Chief Johnson Arumenmen;
Senator Chris Ngige; Senator Domingo Obende; Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Dr
Ogbonnaya Onu; Dr Okwesili Eze Nwodo; Chief Niyi Adebayo; Dr Rufus Ada-George;
DR Doyin Okupe and host of others.
Former President Rawlings who expressed regrets at the security
situation in Nigeria, warned that the nation must resist the temptation of
seeking the assistance of foreign powers in solving its problems.
According to him, “Nigeria’s political might is about 35 per
cent in Africa and that is why Nigeria must show the way in leading Africa. The
way the world is going, Nigeria must not suffer vulnerability or others will
take advantage of the problem.
“In my country in 1979, there was no food in the market, things
were very terrible. But today there is food in the market but people cannot
afford it. Don’t do something that people outside will take advantage of. The
situation on ground is not what the military can curb alone, it has eaten into
the fabric of the society and that is why it is in a way gaining strength.
“The thing should not be left for government alone but the
society must begin to examine itself, come together, strategize together,
otherwise ladies and gentlemen may not be able to handle this problem today or
tomorrow,” he asserted.
On his part, Governor Oshiomhole who was given a standing
ovation for his developmental strides in Edo state, described Chief Ikimi as a
leader who has contributed immensely to the naiton’s democracy.
“Chief made a promise in the house of God today when he said he
will try to live the rest of his life as a good Catholic. And one of the things
I learnt as a Catholic is that Jesus laid down his life so that the rest of us
can live forever in what we believe in.
“At this point in Nigeria’s history, we need leaders who are
ready to stand for the country, pay the supreme sacrifice so that our younger
ones will inherit a country that is free, that offers every citizen a place for
loyalty to our nation. May God use you as one of the pillars in this struggle
to reposition our great nation”.
On his part, IBB described the celebrant as a “seasoned
technocrat, a hard-core politician and an eloquent speaker whose carriage
invokes authority in the truest sense. To attain the age of three scores plus
ten in a country where life expectancy stands at a ridiculous 47 years is a
huge milestone.
”The man celebrating the milestone is not just as remarkable as
the age he symbolizes. What makes that age instructively unique is uncommon
wisdom, elegance, ageing gracefully, a show of quintessence, a display of
finesse, with uncommon outlook,” he stated.
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