A SPEECH PRESENTED AT A DINNERNIGHT/RECEPTION AND A LECTURE PRESENTATION BY THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT NORTHERN YOUTH ASSEMBLY MALLAM IBRAHIM WAIYA ORGANIZED IN HONOUR OF ALH. UMAR BELLO JADA ON THE 22nd JUNE 2013 The Chairman of the Occasion, The Guest Speaker The Invited Guests Members of the press Ladies and Gentlemen Good evening all, Today is yet another day in the history of the Northern Youth Assembly, especially for the members and well wishers of this great and reputable group, which has for long, been creating a for a of discussions like this, on national issues, particularly those in connection with the socio -political and economic development, concern as well as the interest of the North as a Region and the Nigerian State as a whole Let me inform this gathering that, today’ s event is specially dedicated to one of us, in person of Hon. Umar Bello Jada, who has been an active advocate of the objectives of the Assembly, and has been supportive to the activities of the Organization, all this while I want at this juncture remind this gathering that, it is not in the policy of the Northern Youth Assembly, to recognize anybody no matter his social or political status, however we are much obliged to identify ourselves with Hon. Umar Bello Jada, for his most noticeable contributions in the areas of Youth Empowerment, Education and guidance for the development of the Youths, in Adamawa State, the North and the Country at large. It is clear that the nation’s political leadership appear to be at a loss as to how to turn around Nigeria’s political fortunes for the common good. This explains the public outbursts of some prominent political figures, especially from the Southern part of the country. There are many lapses in the way and manner President Jonathan is handling the country’s current challenges, including the issue of tackling separatist tendencies that threaten national unity. A disturbing reality is the utterances of political figures in the country, notably Edwin Clark, who is unmindful, of the state of the nation, is busy advocating for a presidency founded on regional sentiments, in a Federation country like Nigeria. It is not so surprising that Clark has taken this position because of his political narrow-mindedness and ethnic sentiments, which tends to overshadow his sense of judgement. Another challenge of unguarded outburst is the position canvassed by Chief Tony Anenih, that the President and Governors should be given automatic ticket in the next general elections. Again, this is undemocratic, unethical and an insult on the sensitivity of the Nigerian voters. It is indeed sad that, the man has not changed even a bit, in his political adventures. I expected him to be called to order, but there is dead silence. One other embarrassing situation confronting the nation today is the conduct of the leadership of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). For the first time in the political history of this country, our governors could not conduct themselves like exposed and matured politicians. They have now allowed their in-fighting to go public. As elected representatives, they are supposed to be role models for this and the next generation of the nation’s political leaders. The in-fighting in the NGF is a smear on decorum and responsible political conduct. It can only be hoped that they will retrace their steps and give the country a sense of decency in political terms and set standards for their successors to emulate. On the whole, the North needs unity more than anything else, so as to sustain and promote national unity. It has been a historical reality that, the North has always provided wisdom and guidance in moments of national confusion, such as present day Nigeria and it is my hope that, it will step in and save our elected representatives from further drifting. The lapses in leadership can be reversed once there is political will on the part of those at the top. They have a duty to sustain unity and national stability, failing which the country may simply hang in the balance and socio-economic development will be avoidably slowed down, God forbid Let me remind us here that, the responsibility of restoring the almost lost image of this country, both economically and politically depend solely on us as the youths, and Nigeria as a Country has all the needed potentials to attain the height, within the corridors of the advanced communities in the World. It should therefore be our collective resolve to turn things through repositioning and re - directing the focus of our dear nation It should be noted that, our utmost priority as the young men and women in this Country, especially at this critical time, when the Country is being faced with number of challenges, ranging from the unity, social co existence among different ethnic and religious groups, is to develop and inculcate an enhanced sense of patriotism, Nationalism and a love for one another, which should be geared towards keeping our dear nation, as one indivisible entity It is obvious that, our problem in the North, is no more than a total absence of a one leadership which will be accepted and recognized by all, devoid of all sentiments, I therefore want to challenge us as Youths, who represent the future hope of this Country, to cook up a strategy of initiating and establishing an acceptable machinery to provide a single leadership, which will have the needed capacity and acceptability I therefore want to want congratulate Alh. Umar Bello Jada, for all his selfless and tireless services to the humanity, especially the family of the Northern Youth and Nigeria at large I want to as well wish this gathering fruitful deliberation, which may pave a way for the return of good fortunes to our dear Nation, Nigeria Thank You and God Bless
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 22:39:46 +0000
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