By Harrison Arubu
Elder statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, on Tuesday in Abuja said that the amalgamation of 1914 was God’s handiwork to make Nigeria the leader of the black race.
He stated this at the public presentation of two books, “Know About Corruption’’ and “Rebirth of Conscience’’, authored by Amina Othman, a member of staff of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
Sule, who was the keynote speaker, stated that Nigeria could only realise God’s will to lead Africa if its people were united, morally upright, disciplined and respected.
“It is not for nothing that God brought us together. I refuse to agree that it was the British that brought us together through the amalgamation of 1914.
“No, it was God that united us. You can understand that Nigeria is a country of different tribes, religions, cultures and even climatic conditions, but were made to live together.
“God wants us to live together, understand one another, cooperate with one another and unite so that we may be a strong nation.
“He brought us together so that we may have the political clout to lead Africa and inspire the blacks all over the world’’, he said.
Sule, who is the Danmasani of Kano, emphasised that revival of the nation’s cultural values was critical in the ongoing war against corruption.
According to him, Nigerians are expecting so much from the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in this regard because of his successful war against indiscipline as a military leader in 1983.
“But we all have a duty to support him, to give our own contributions to make our society better. Nigeria must be made a beautiful country’’, he said.
The Director-General of NTA, Mr Yakubu Mohammed, said the books were timely, coming at a time the Buhari administration was waging a “determined onslaught against the cankerworm of corruption’’.
Mohammed, who represented the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the fight against corruption required all hands to be on deck.
“The author has chosen to join the fight by writing, we can all follow suit by contributing our own quota using our different skills.
“She has chosen to write, we can support her by buying, reading and internalising the contents of her books. This is a sure way of fighting corruption’’, he said.
Chairman of the occasion, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, commended the author for finding time to contribute her quota to the fight against corruption through the books.
The book reviewer, Mr Charles Odenigbo, said the publications were packed with everything about conscience that would help their readers to live above board.
“Like vitamins, the books are concise, thought provoking, soul charging, soul changing, incisive and compact without circumlocution.
“They reveal, educate and tell point blank the most important things about corruption, and why the activities of corrupt and conscienceless persons have perverted the society.
“This is despite various efforts by the government and the international community in combating the hydra-headed monster. Corruption is a terrible demon’’, he said.
He recommended the books for individuals, families, schools, public and private institutions as well as leaders at all levels and tiers of government.
The author, Amina Othman, told newsmen she drew inspiration to write the books from acts of corruption and indiscipline on display everywhere in the country.
