Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, on Saturday described former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), as a statesman whose life and legacy offer lessons for younger Nigerians.
Ibezim spoke to Journalists at a public presentation of three books held in honor of Gen. Abdulsalami’s 84th birthday celebration at State House Abuja.
The event hall was filled to capacity, Dr.Ibezim who represented Governor Charles Soludo at the occasion noted that as dignitaries gathered to celebrate the elder statesman blueprint.
He said “This is one of those days that we look up to in this country, where distinguished statesmen come to tell us life experiences,” Ibezim told newsmen. “He usually pushes for the younger ones to walk in his path and believe in this country as an entity.”
The deputy governor said the timing of the celebration was symbolic, coming a day after Nigeria marked Democracy Day. He linked Abdulsalami’s role in handing over power to civilians in 1999 to the country’s democratic survival.
“Yesterday we just marked democracy. The message right there is that, in that zone, there is life. Because he’s written his name in gold,” Ibezim said. “Everybody should strive to write their name in gold. This is our country. We don’t have any other country.”
He urged Nigerians to embrace unity, stressing that citizens have no choice over their ethnic or family ties, only over the friends they make.
“We don’t have any choice to choose who is your brother or who is your sister from God. You only have the choice of choosing friends. We’ve been created together and we’re here,” he added.
The book presentation drew a large turnout of guests who came to honor the former military ruler widely credited for midwifing Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
