GOWON AT 90: Sultan of Sokoto tells why ex-Head of State must be celebrated
*How Nigeria can make a headway in the comity of nations - Adeshina *Laments poverty in Nigeria has led to increase in crime, threat to food security
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
In celebration of the 90th birthday of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has said the former Nigerian maximum ruler fought very hard to keep the country united and must be celebrated.
Speaking at an event organized to celebrate the General Gowon at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Sultan Abubakar, himself a Retired General, who served as Chairman of the occasion, said his life is worthy of emulation, praying for the former leader to live beyond 100 years and in good health.
According to the Sultan, “General Gowon evokes nostalgia. Not many countries have the luck of having their leaders live this long and in good health like General Gowon. It is a huge privilege to chair this anniversary lecture.
“The name Gowon is my acronym for Go On With One Nigeria. Only God will reward Gowon for the sacrifices he made to keep this country together. Look at the dignitaries that came to honour him. This is because he is living an impactful life. We wish him to live above 100 years and in good health.”
President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, who was lecturer at the event, urged Nigeria to invest heavily in agriculture if it is to make a headway in the comity of nations.
The AfDB president who spoke at the public lecture in honour of former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, at 90, which held at the ECOWAS secretariat in Abuja, said Nigeria is seriously lagging behind in tertiary education as only 7 percent of its population is enrolled in higher institutions.
He said this is too low compared with other countries like South Korea which has 70 percent, Canada, 67; and UK 58.
He said it is obvious from this that Nigeria must step up and position itself in education to compete at the global stage.
Adesina also lamented the level of poverty in Nigeria which he said has led to increase in crime and other social vices as well as threatens food security.
“A more secured Nigeria would be a more food secured Nigeria,” he stated.
He also expressed concerns over the mass migration of youths out of the country, saying, it would undermine the country’s economic drive if something drastic was not done to tackle it.
The event had in attendance former President, General Olusegun Obasanjo, immediate past President, General Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adeshina, among others.
