Former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), yesterday came down heavily on Northern elders and politicians, telling them to stop making noise about leadership direction in the region. He said it was never in the character of the people to talk too much, but to take action. Delivering a speech as he was being conferred with the title of Jarmai Zazzau ,Danjuma stressed that Northern leaders needed to pray, plan and work harder, but talk less, because according to him, battles were better fought and won through wisdom rather than inflammatory political comments. In the speech titled “Rebuilding a Harmonious and Hospitable Northern Nigeria,” the former Defence Minister noted that Northern leaders have become confused and scattered like flocks without shepherd, adding that it was an indication of leadership failure. He recalled that he had taken many risks for the sake of Nigeria, saying “At the age of 75, I thought I have paid my dues. I just want to spend the rest of my life in quiet retirement, leaving the public arena for a new generation of leaders to improve on the modest achievements of my generation.” He however, expressed worry about abject poverty , lack of functional education and the wide gap between the poor and the rich in the North, pointing out that there could never be peace and harmony where there is wide disparity between the few rich and a multitude of the poor. “It is not in our character as northerners to talk too much. We need to think more, pray more, plan more, work harder, relate better, but talk less. “Battles are better fought and won through wisdom and strategy than through inflammatory pronouncements and political tantrums. “We urgently need to put our house in order so we can overcome our various challenges. This is the time for elders to be circumspect and temperate in their utterances. “Nigeria and indeed northern Nigeria, has never been in short supply of politicians scheming and screaming for due and undue advantages. “What has been in short supply are patriotic elder statesmen, who would use their experience and wisdom to give our country a clear sense of purpose and direction. “When elders become decadent, the youth are bound to become delinquent. Our people are confused and perplexed, they have become like flock scattered on many hills without a shepherd. This is a clear indication of leadership failure. “Our society and economy are in tatters. In a highly competitive world, our children are missing out in getting qualitative and functional education. “The masses of our people are chained down in dehumanizing and grinding poverty, while we continue to maintain few islands of false prosperity in a turbulent ocean of penury and squalor. “There cannot be peace and harmony where there is wide disparity between the few rich and multitude of the poor. “Nigeria, especially northern Nigeria, urgently need to recapture the spirit of knowledge, tolerance, harmony, peace and prosperity. “If we renew our minds and reconcile with one another, if we coordinate our determined efforts, we can make northern Nigeria self-reliant and self-sufficient, while enhancing the unity and prosperity of all Nigeria. But first, we must have peace,” Danjuma said. Speaking at the turbaning ceremony, Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris said, “In making the decision to honour Danjuma, the Emirate Council considered his general contributions to the development of education, economy, national security and peaceful co-existence.”
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 08:40:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015