Hard work and appreciation are part of human existence at the individual or governmental level. Appreciation for deeds well done is one form of motivation to spur the person so appreciated to do more. And this will be demonstrated today, February 2, 2022 at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, where Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, GCFR; CSG will be honoured with Doctor of Technology (Honoris Causa)
By providence, he became the eighth military head of state of the largest Africa Black nation on June 8, 1998 and in 10 months accomplished what seemed impossible in several years when he shunned the temptation of overstaying in office which made him instant celebrated world leader and the most sought-after mediator in conflict situations and peace-building processes in Africa.
Not known for half measures in any chosen endeavour, Abubakar had upon handing over power to a civilian administration on May 29, 1999, taken to farming and has Maizube Farms as flagship for 22 unbroken years now, with excellent results that are difficult to ignore. The integrated farm bubbling with various products in comprehensive value chain development and appropriate deployment of technology to crops, horticulture, fisheries, livestock, human capital development, and palpable socio-economic impact on the entire local environment and beyond quite exemplary.
However, as he adds another feather to his cap today, his distinguished life of service to God, country and humanity reverberates, especially his impeccable and thoroughbred professional records and enviable stature as an important reference point in mediation in Africa. As the ECOWAS Chairman, he played a significant role as arbitrator between the rebel forces and the Sierra Leone National army that brought peace to the country in 1998. He resolved the Sierra Leone political crisis in 1999. Also, in 2003 he led an ECOWAS mediation team that negotiated the setting up of an interim government after the Liberian civil war. He also served as United Nations Special Envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2000 to discuss the position of the Security Council on several issues relating to the Lusaka Agreement, among others. While in 2004, he was appointed Special Envoy of the Chairman, Africa Union to Chad and Sudanese crisis. The Commonwealth Secretary-General appointed him as a Special Envoy to the Republic of Gambia in 2005. Also, in 2006 the United Nations Secretary-General appointed him as Special Envoy to the Republic of Gambia. He was appointed a member of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on the Sudan crisis in 2009 as well as ECOWAS Chief Mediator on the political crisis in Niger also in 2009.
In all these actions, Gen. Abubakar proved that honour and trust are essential ingredients of the character of every public office holder. He displayed courage and integrity in contrast to the willingness and opportunism that others would have displayed given the same circumstances. Little wonder then that he kept his word on the transition programme considered as remarkable and refreshing transparency that helped to increase credibility for the process and won for Nigeria the respect of foreign friends.
His achievements have not gone unnoticed. Hence, since he left office in 1999, it has been a harvest of honours for General Abubakar in recognition of his achievements in transferring power from a military to a democratically elected civilian government. He received the Peace Prize Award by Rainbow Push Coalition, United States of America (7th August 1999), the outstanding Peace Award for bringing democracy to Nigeria by Nigerians in the United States of America (16th October 1999), the Prestigious ECOWAS International Gold Award (27th May 2000), the National Honour for “The Shortest and Successful Democratic Transition in the History of Nigeria”(31st July 2000), the Outstanding Leadership Qualities Award by MABDEC in the United States of America (August 2000) and the Distinguished Leadership of Honour Award by the Nigerian Bar Association (21st August 2000). Also, the Chicago State University instituted a lecture series in his honour which took place on 23rd February 2001 and International Festschrift in his honour between 25-27 November 2021.
Additionally, among his awards is the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) awarded by the Nigerian Government, the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana (CSG) by the Republic of Ghana, the Medal of Grand Officer (France) and the Grand Order of Honour of Togo. So far, he has received about eleven Honorary Doctorate degrees, between 2000-2022 from the following Universities: University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Edo State University, Ekpoma, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi and the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. Other awards are from Igbinedion University, Okada, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, University of Calabar, Calabar, PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port-Harcourt, and today its Federal University of Technology, Minna.
From the forgoing, it is not difficult to see, even by a casual watcher of events that Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar is a man of history and worthy role model for young Nigerians for his simplicity, humility and uncommon character that would not allow any inflated view of self-worth, greed and debauchery to divert him from the path of honour. Definitely, in the annals of history of our country, this illustrious son of Niger State features prominently! Congratulations, Your Excellency, Sir.
Kuta Yahaya is a Professor of Agricultural Extension and Development Communication at the University of Ibadan
