Tamuno, Asset To Nigeria, Says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has described Professor Tekena Tamuno as an asset to the nation,  saying the Rivers State-born renowned historian is an edifice of knowledge, epitomizing the  capacity of Nigerians to be among the best in the world in their chosen profession.

President Jonathan made the remarks last Saturday, at the 80th birthday celebration of  Professor Tamuno, an accomplished academic and former Vice Chancellor of the University  birthday celebration of  Professor Tamuno, an accomplished academic and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, which took place at Trenchard Hall of the university.

Represented by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, President Jonathan remarked, that the gathering which was chaired by former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN),and attended by the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olesegun Obasanjo, former Minister of Information and foremost Ijaw nationalist, Chief Edwin Clarke, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian  Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, among others, “is not a celebration of age, but of resourcefulness and character”.

The president congratulated the widely published historian for all his achievements in life, and prayed God to give him more years to contribute ideas that  would help  to bring positive transformation to the country.

In his remark, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, noted that Professor Tamuno has been a source of inspiration and honour to the people of Rivers State, saying that he had always been available anytime the State was in dire need of his knowledge and resourcefulness for her advancement, especially in the field of education.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele lkuru, Governor Amaechi thanked Prof. Tamuno for availing the State with his time and services, noting that  “the report of the Committee on Education which he chaired formed the secret of the massive improvement in the education sector recorded since the inception of this administration”.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, a former Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide regretted the current political and historical problems facing the country, blaming it  on what he called privatized colonialism, the selfish and self-seeking interests of the political class.

Akinjide said that the Niger Delta, being a major producer of palm oil and petroleum, remained a critical region in the federation.

According to him, it is a matter of fate rather than coincidence that the region has produced the nation’s president.

Also speaking, Chief Edwin Clark, a former Minister of Information and elder statesman, noted that the discovery of oil in 1956 changed the fortune of the country.

Clark lauded the writing of a book on “oil war” in the Niger Delta.  Niger Delta require your sympathy for their own development,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that Tamuno, a professor of history and one of the founding fathers of the Nigeria Academy of Letters, was the first alumnus of the University of Ibadan to become its vice chancellor.

He was also at different times the president of Redeemer’s University and Bells University, Otta.

Books written by Prof. Tamuno and presented at the occasion include, “The contents of Non- linear History, Wisdom of the Elders and Lamentations of Yeske: Poems in honour of Prof. Egbe Ifie. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also attended the event.

Also present were Pastor Enoch Adeboye, The General Overseer of the   Redeemed Christian Church of God and the acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. Prof Olusegun Akinyinka, the vice Chancellor of  University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka, former vice chancellor University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs and many others.