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‘Accidental Public Servant’ … Book For Every Nigerian –Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says “The Accidental Public Servant”, a new book written by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, is a book every Nigerian needs.
Governor Amaechi said this yesterday during the launching of the book at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor Amaechi, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, lauded the intellectual prowess of the author, pointing out that “this is one book every Nigerian needs. It will help us avoid the mistakes of the past and do the right things.” He congratulated the former Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) for the successful publication of the book.
Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, eulogised Mallam el Rufai for being forthright; noting that “the book is a product of so much courage and intellectualism,” urging political office holders to justify the confidence reposed in them by performing well while in office.
Governors of Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu, and Gombe, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, all commended the intellectual sagacity of the author, describing him as “a deeply family man, quintessential public servant” and “a man who has made us proud to be Nigerians.” They noted that the book “is a welcome book, a book about projects that failed and projects that succeeded,” while lamenting corruption in the nation’s public service.
Chairman of the occasion and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, noted that “Nasir is a man that is difficult to describe, given his many parts,” praising his intelligence, radicalism and non-conformist approach to issues, advising public office holders to write and keep records of their activities while in office for posterity.
Speaking, the book reviewer and Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, stated that “in writing the book, Nasir has made a transition from a political activist to a statesman,” observing that “the book is about faces, cases and places, telling the story of the unforgettable years.” He pointed out that the book makes a case for equal application of laws to everyone, regretting that “impunity has become the bane of Nigeria’s socio-political development,” noting, however, that the book contains factual errors.
In her welcome address, Chairperson of the Book Presentation Committee, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, said “Nasir is a quintessential non-conformist,” stating that “his fearlessness to withstand opposition defines his personality,” noting that the author deployed intellectual rigour in writing the book, pointing out that the book traverses the nation’s public sector.
Before then, eL-Rufai had explained, “My hope is that you people will elicit on some of the things we did in government that were right and many of the things that we did that were mistakes.
“I think that lessons are learnt when additional memories are protected, when people learn from what works and what doesn’t work and personal mistakes and errors of leaders.
“That is how to build a nation; that is how future generations learn and this is why I wrote the book, I don’t think we should have the conspiracy of silence about how our government is being run, I think we should talk openly about it, celebrate what we did right and admit where we made mistakes and name names so that people will know that when you are in leadership position, history will judge you, that is what is my biggest motive here,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday picked holes in the books Accidental Public Servant by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, stressing that the book could be described as a fiction for self-glorification at the expense of truth.
According to Atiku Abubakar, what the former minister requires at the moment was prayer rather than anger. The attack is coming barely twenty four hours after the book was formally presented to the public at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissed the book, just as he said that it was a collection of fiction, half-truths, exaggeration and reflection of selective memory.
In a statement from his media office yesterday, ‘’Atiku Abubakar was particularly piqued by the claim of el-Rufai that he had almost resigned as the former Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) because of alleged persistent pressure and interference by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was then the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation.
‘’Atiku’s Media Office expressed disbelief that the former FCT minister forgot soon what he said at the Senate public hearing on BPE on August 8-13, 2011. That adhoc committee was headed by Senator Ahmed Lawan.
‘’It recalled el-Rufai as saying that he had special relationship with former President Obasanjo, which gave him direct access and the discretion to bypass the Council on Privatisation headed by Atiku in order to get the approval of the President.
‘’The Media Office wondered how el-Rufai could reconcile his threat of resignation with the accounts he told the Senate about the latitude of freedom he enjoyed at BPE because of his closeness to former President Obasanjo.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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