Your Excellency, this is a very difficult time—for you, and the entire good people of Nigeria. But one good thing we still cherish about you is, that even though you have retired, you are still not tired. You are truly committed to the trajectory of ensuring one and indivisible Nigeria.
Sir, you have succeeded in framing our minds that, the essence of effective and/or strategic leadership includes among others; reasonable service to our communities, and the entire nation, through humility and fear of almighty God.
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Let me assure you that as you mark another year in your life on earth, the legacies you left behind while in the office are there for everyone to see and judge whether you are “evil” or “genius”?
All through your political sojourn, at no time were you found to be angling that “it must be you” or else “heavens will fall”. What a rare virtue.
At 81, you remain comfortable, and you were never quoted as saying or lamenting that you regretted your support for the emergence of your boss in the 1998/99 transition to democracy. Just as, your doors remained open for the then Head of State, who was to hand over power.
Borrowing from your words, sir, “Nigeria is greater than any individual” and “no one can go it alone”. Happy 81st Birthday Your Excellency!
Ahmadu A. Ishaq, write this piece from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
