OPEN LETTER TO THE UN, US, UK: ALERT ON IMPENDING GENOCIDE IN EASTERN NIGERIA

Date: 23 May 2020

Dear Secretary General; The United Nations,

While the whole world has been pre-occupied with the existential threats to humanity posed by the global pandemic, momentous developments have been taking place in Nigeria which we feel compelled to bring to the attention of the United Nations.

At the end of March 2020, General Mohammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria declared a national lockdown, barring Nigerians from coming out of their homes and declaring “no-movement” for cars except those on essential duties and no inter-state travels.

But under the cover of the COVID 19 lock-down, thousands of armed men between the ages of 18 and 35 years were being systematically transported across the length of Nigeria, over 1,000 kilometers from Northern Nigeria to occupy South East Nigeria, including other Southern parts of Nigeria.

They came hidden amidst bags of cement, inside oil tankers. They also came mixed with sack and sacks of beans, tomatoes and onions, while others simply boarded commercial vehicles and long distance trucks belonging to Dangote industries. The federal government’s claim of moving food from Northern Nigeria to the South of Nigeria turned out a cover for those who were moving arms and armed men into the South Eastern hinterland.

On interception, it was gathered that the men are Fulani militias coming from all over Africa. It is understood that they are encouraged to come to Nigeria where the Life Patron of the Fulani World-wide Association of Cattle breeders, “MIYETTI ALAH” is the President of the Nigeria. Fulanis have historically harboured the dream of occupying one country all on their own in the African continent. Since General Buhari’s accent as President of Nigeria in 2015, they have seen Nigeria as the easiest place to take over, and the time of Buhari’s presidency as the best moment to strike.

In the past five years, there has been a massive influx of Fulanis, many of whom do not speak English, applying and obtaining Nigerian passports. Others have spread all over the South especially South East Nigeria, using their cattle to eat up farm products, killing the farmers, raping their wives and daughters, burning down villages. In Nsukka, Enugu State, they wiped out a whole village. In Anambra state, the people of Amansea community in Awka South local Government Area awoke one day to see the bodies of 30 men of their village floating on EZU River, there have been various other attacks in every part of Igboland such as, Imo State, Abia State, Ebonyi State and in other native Igboland across the River Niger such as Ibuzo, Okpanam and Asaba areas of Delta State Nigeria.

None of the perpetrators of these crimes have been arrested or questioned, these crimes against humanity have gone without check, condemnation or a word of caution from the government of Buhari, he seems to relish each and every attack on the Igbos.

Buhari himself had in 2017, under the guise of a military operation code named Operation Python Dance mauled to death hundreds of unarmed Igbo youths whose only crime was to exercise their natural and inalienable rights to Self Determination, which rights are recognized and guaranteed in the United Nations Charter on Human Rights. Many of the youths that were arrested during this atrocious and barbaric military operation are still in detention at undisclosed locations, some have died in detention and their remains buried in unmarked mass grave, while some have been permanently damaged and maimed.

To heighten these bizarre occurrences, helicopters were sighted on several occasions at night, dropping supplies for unknown persons in the thick forests of South Eastern (Igbo) heartland.

In 2019, the Fulani dominated federal government of Nigeria attempted to advance the agenda of occupation by creating colonies for Fulani people in every state of the federation. The scheme called the “Ruga Settlement” scheme was discovered and a massive outcry and opposition ensued forcing government to suspend it temporarily.

Now, the proponents have adopted a more brazen, violent tactic of armed conquest and land occupation.

That was why while other Nigerians took cover to survive COVID 19, the Fulani were busy making more frantic efforts to conquer and occupy South Eastern Nigeria. What is bewildering is that the five states of South East Nigeria put together are only 29,525 square kilometers. This is less that the size of Kogi state, one of the smallest states in Northern Nigeria (29,833) square kilometers. Niger State of Nigeria alone is bigger in land mass than the South East and South South of Nigeria put together.

Based on this, the idea is taking hold that their mission is not driven by a financial motive but must be propelled by a more compelling force.

We believe that at the heart of this move is their long mission to force a change of religion and lifestyle on the people of Eastern Nigeria (IGBOs).

What has made the plan all the easier to execute is the complete control of the Nigerian government, Armed Forces and Police by people of Fulani decent and their northern accomplices. One of the first actions taken by President Buhari on ascent to the Presidency of Nigeria was to ensure the total control of the security architecture of the country by Fulanis and their Northern allies. Today, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Director General of State Security Services, the National Security Adviser, the Director General of National Intelligence Agency “NIA”, the Head of Customs and the Inspector General of Police are all Northerners and Fulanis. Only the Chief of Naval Staff is from Southern Nigeria. At the same time, all South Easterners on the top three tiers of the Arms Forces and security were retired. As a result, the security of the country is planned and executed by one ethnic group that constitutes less than 2% of the population, to the exclusion of people of Southern Nigeria.

This letter is to brief you and alert the United Nations on what appears to be an impending, well coordinated plan to attack, cleanse Eastern Nigeria of the Igbo stock, occupy and foist the Moslem religion on the area, taking advantage of the confusion and weaknesses introduced by the pandemic.

We assure you that we in the South East of Nigeria and Igbo land will not allow this to happen.

We therefore urge you to kindly advise the federal government of Nigeria not to further support or lend protection to this scheme which will without any doubt stir up big problems for the country. The President should be advised to identify and immediately take stringent action against members of his government involved in this obsession for conquest and land occupation in South Eastern Nigeria.

We conclude by requesting the United Nations, the United States Government, and the International Community to do all in their powers to halt this barbaric endeavor which has gone on under the watch of federal government officials for some time now.

While looking forward to your kind prompt intervention, we extend the highest respects of the people of Eastern Nigeria to you and your organization.

Most Respectfully,

Austin Okeke Esq.
Igbo Board of Deputies

Prof. Justin Akujieze
Ekwe Nche (USA)

CC:

The United States Government

The British Government
The French Government
The Russian Government
The Israeli Government
The Government of Japan
The Australian Government
The Canadian Government
The South African Government
The African Union
The ECOWAS
The SADEC Region
The UNPO
The International Court of Justice

NAWOJ FCT REACHES OUT TO ITS WIDOWED MEMBERS.

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) FCT, has distributed food palliatives to their members who are widows.

Presenting the items to the women, FCT Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Stella Okoh Esene who explained that the palliatives are courtesy of National office of NAWOJ and ministry of Women Affairs, said the items will go along way to help cushion the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.

Comrade Okoh-Esene urged them to always maintain the personal hygiene and health tips against the fight of corona virus.

Speaking on behalf of the widows, Mrs Florence Onyeze who represented the wife of former Chairman NUJ Abuja, Mrs Ehirim appreciated the gesture of NAWOJ and prayed for more blessings on the organisation.

Food items distributed includes Rice, Millet, grondnut oil, hand sanitizers and face mask.

Stella Okoh-Esene
Chairperson

Amaka Solomon
Secretary.

NAWOJ FCT REACHES OUT TO ITS WIDOWED MEMBERS.

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) FCT, has distributed food palliatives to their members who are widows.

Presenting the items to the women, FCT Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Stella Okoh Esene who explained that the palliatives are courtesy of National office of NAWOJ and ministry of Women Affairs, said the items will go along way to help cushion the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.

Comrade Okoh-Esene urged them to always maintain the personal hygiene and health tips against the fight of corona virus.

Speaking on behalf of the widows, Mrs Florence Onyeze who represented the wife of former Chairman NUJ Abuja, Mrs Ehirim appreciated the gesture of NAWOJ and prayed for more blessings on the organisation.

Food items distributed includes Rice, Millet, grondnut oil, hand sanitizers and face mask.

Stella Okoh-Esene
Chairperson

Amaka Solomon
Secretary.

PRESS STATEMENT KANO ISSUES GUIDELINES ON EXTENDED COVID-19 LOCK-DOWN As a way of fine tuning the recently extended lockdown of Kano state by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for another two weeks, Kano state government has released operational guidelines for the controlled easing of the pandemic-induced restriction. The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who made the revelation in a statement, said government is fully aware of the difficult but necessary hardship people have to pass through which informed the need for controlled enforcement. He said after series of meetings with key health experts, the Ulama and other stake holders, the state government adopted some measures that will further bring relief to the populace, with the partial lift on the lockdown on three days, that is, Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:00am and 2:00pm with a total relief of 12 hours per week as earlier recommended by the Presidential Task Force. Malam Garba said Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed the state Hisbah Board to hold meeting with Imams and deploy its personnel to Friday (Jumu’at mosques) across the state to ensure that worshipers comply with personal hygiene through maintaining social distancing, hand washing with soap, use of hand sanitizers and face masks. The commissioner also said that government considers it convenient to allow the conduct of Eid Prayers on the Sallah day in all the five Emirates in the state during which restriction of movement has been lifted from 6:00am to 2:00pm under strict observance of safety and prevention protocols. He, however, said that there will be no Sallah festivities in all the Emirates including the visit to Gidan Shettima, Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nassarawa, and Hawan Dorayi in Kano and all other similar traditional Sallah celebrations in the four other Emirates. The statement also announced the formation of a committee on the distribution of face masks and sanitation materials to Jumu’at mosques to be chaired by the commissioner for environment, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim Getso. Other members of the committee are Hon. Commissioners for local government, religious affairs and that of information; Prof. Ibrahim Mu’azzam Maibushra, Prof. Muhammad Tabi’u, Dr. Awwalu Kawu, Engr. Sa’idu Muhammad, Sarkin Yarabawa, Oba Abdullahi Salihu Olowo, Dr. Bala Muhammad, state ALGON chairman, Managing Directors of REMASAB and KAROTA, Commander General, Hisbah Board and its Chairman, Sheikh Shehi Maihula. The ethnic nationalities in the state will also constitute a similar committee to ensure the distribution of sanitation materials and the observance of Covid-19 protocol in their various churches. MALAM MUHAMMAD GARBA Hon. Commissioner, Information, Kano State 18/5/2020

PRESS STATEMENT KANO ISSUES GUIDELINES ON EXTENDED COVID-19 LOCK-DOWN As a way of fine tuning the recently extended lockdown of Kano state by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for another two weeks, Kano state government has released operational guidelines for the controlled easing of the pandemic-induced restriction. The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who made the revelation in a statement, said government is fully aware of the difficult but necessary hardship people have to pass through which informed the need for controlled enforcement. He said after series of meetings with key health experts, the Ulama and other stake holders, the state government adopted some measures that will further bring relief to the populace, with the partial lift on the lockdown on three days, that is, Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:00am and 2:00pm with a total relief of 12 hours per week as earlier recommended by the Presidential Task Force. Malam Garba said Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed the state Hisbah Board to hold meeting with Imams and deploy its personnel to Friday (Jumu’at mosques) across the state to ensure that worshipers comply with personal hygiene through maintaining social distancing, hand washing with soap, use of hand sanitizers and face masks. The commissioner also said that government considers it convenient to allow the conduct of Eid Prayers on the Sallah day in all the five Emirates in the state during which restriction of movement has been lifted from 6:00am to 2:00pm under strict observance of safety and prevention protocols. He, however, said that there will be no Sallah festivities in all the Emirates including the visit to Gidan Shettima, Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nassarawa, and Hawan Dorayi in Kano and all other similar traditional Sallah celebrations in the four other Emirates. The statement also announced the formation of a committee on the distribution of face masks and sanitation materials to Jumu’at mosques to be chaired by the commissioner for environment, Dr. Kabir Ibrahim Getso. Other members of the committee are Hon. Commissioners for local government, religious affairs and that of information; Prof. Ibrahim Mu’azzam Maibushra, Prof. Muhammad Tabi’u, Dr. Awwalu Kawu, Engr. Sa’idu Muhammad, Sarkin Yarabawa, Oba Abdullahi Salihu Olowo, Dr. Bala Muhammad, state ALGON chairman, Managing Directors of REMASAB and KAROTA, Commander General, Hisbah Board and its Chairman, Sheikh Shehi Maihula. The ethnic nationalities in the state will also constitute a similar committee to ensure the distribution of sanitation materials and the observance of Covid-19 protocol in their various churches. MALAM MUHAMMAD GARBA Hon. Commissioner, Information, Kano State 18/5/2020

BADARU APPOINTS ZAINAB RABO, 3 OTHERS AS MEMBERS GOVERNING COUNCIL JIGAWA STATE DPPMB Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has approved the appointment of Zainab Shu’aibu Rabo Ringim as member Governing Council, Jigawa State Due Process and Projects Monitoring Bureau representing Media. This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Jigawa State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Fanini. The statement said the Governor has also approved the appointment of Tijjani Shu’aibu as member of the Council representing Engineering and other related areas. Others who were appointed by the Governor as members of the Council are; Ibrahim Guri representing Accountancy and Barrister Garba Abubakar representing Legal Profession. The appointments takes immediate effect. Signed Ismaila Dutse Ibrahim Public Relations Officer Office of the Secretary to the Jigawa State Government 18th May, 2020

HOW TO BUILD THE RESILIENCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AGAINST COVID-19. Background covid19: A Novel coronavirus also known as covid-19 that originated in Wuhan has indeed created a global pandemic spreading across the world. So far Nigeria has recorded 3,912 Confirmed cases, 679 discharged cases and 117 deaths and more new cases are emerging fast. Nigeria has over 206 million people, millions of people depend on public transport and the government aggressively promote social/physical distancing to minimize the spread of the virus on a daily basis. Millions of people are still seen passing through crowded bus stops and markets despite the various campaigns on social and physical distancing. Majorly from low and middle income, families depend on intercity transport, such close contact movements, contact of people and highly crowded area can potentially catalyse rapid social spreading understanding the thorny crisis, meanwhile the government has created experts’ groups to tackle the problem on the ground. In a country with the population of over 206 million people, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, on the 1st of April disclosed this to the Daily press, informing members of the presidential task force on COVID-19 that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) now have the capacity to run 1500 test Per day, but this has only been a mirage as they have only succeeded in testing 1000 persons so far. The Minister warned Nigerian’s that COVID-19 patients with delicate symptoms are still terribly, extremely infectious and that was the reason why they need to advocate the suspension of close contact with people. He further explained that delicate symptoms in one person may be deadly infected to another as doctors are urged to stick to all government directions and regulations invariably applying the Personal protecting equipment (PPE). The doctors are also expected to maintain a high index of suspension from COVID-19 and defend themselves and their darling ones from being infected. HOW TO INCLUDE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AGAINST COVID -19. Indigenous people and minorities experience the highest degree of social economic marginalization. People become even more vulnerable in emergencies. This is due to some factors such as lack of access to effective surveillance, early warning systems and Health Services. The COVID-19 outbreak is predicted to have significant impact on various sectors. The most population at risk are those that: Depend heavily on the informal economy. Occupy areas prone to shocks. Have adequate access to social services or political influence. Have limited capacities and opportunities to cope and adapt. 5. Have no access to technologies. By understanding this issues, we can support the capacity of indigenous people in emergencies. We can give them priority as they stand and engage them in decision-making processes for response, recovery, preparedness. And risk reduction. Actions to include Indigenous people and to understand their particular needs: Preferred communication channels. Preferred language usage, Indigenous languages need to be used and adopted in the campaigns against the spread of the virus. Indigenous people are not prepared for this and do not have the resources to properly combat it, even though the federal government has a duty to provide basic healthcare amenities. The system is chronically underfunded, and consistently fails us. COVID-19 attacks the lungs and how many Primary Health care even owns ventilators? Indigenous communities are especially susceptible with the elderly, those who keep our heritage are more likely to die from it and the loss for indigenous people will be grave. The indigenous people have every right to be concerned as COVID-19 is ravaging the people. Indigenous communities are in danger. COVID-19 has reached the community level and something need to be done to contain the spread of the virus. Looking at the recent burial of the chief of staff to the Nigerian president, Late Aba Kyari the rules of burying the chief of staff to the president, who was a covid 19 patient was violated, WHO guidelines were not carefully followed, social distancing was not observed and there was a wrong disposing of the PPE. Also, the burial attendants were not properly dressed, no face mask on and no gloves, most of them had direct contact with the dead. These shows the level of low compliance to the preventive measures given to reduce the spread of Covid 19. By this, it shows that people need to be enlighten more about the measures to take in preventing the spread of covid 19. As the global pandemic ravages, experts warn that indigenous people are highly vulnerable to common illnesses like the flu, high fever and COVID-19 will lead to their extinction. So the indigenous people need to be involved in the fight against this deadly virus. It is a travesty that in 2020 indigenous people are still fighting for survivor on all fronts invaders who may have carry the Novel Coronavirus and may be forced upon them to fight the diseases themselves without adequate and proper information on how to tackle the virus. So this indigenous people need to be involved and be educated on how to tackle the disease when it escalates. RECOMMENDATIONS. Communicate critical risk and invent information to all communities of indigenous people and counter misinformation. Minimize social and economic impact through multisectoral partnership’s. Identify, isolate and care for patients early, including providing optimized care for infected people. Prepare policies that will address the spread of covid-19 to indigenous people. Improve and care for suspected and confirmed patients, increase number of testing, number of ventilator, (PPE) (ICU) in primary health cares in indigenous communities. Create more primary health care. WHO recommends that countries should activate coordination mechanisms as early as possible and well before community transmission occurs. Serah shekwonya Tukurah. ED/GEI initiative. INDIGENOUS RIGHTS.

NUJ/NS/10/P/1/VOL I His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR State House, Abuja. CONVULSIONS IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY We write to extend the highest esteem of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the warmest consideration of its National Executive Council. We are constrained once again to write this letter to Mr President, appealing for urgent intervention to save the media industry from collapse. Sir, permit us to state that, the social duties of Journalists in Nigeria include the advancement of the right to freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of the press, media independence, conflict transformation and peace building. These are prerequisites for open governance and development, the fight against corruption among others, which ultimately serve the public interest. Your Excellency, there can be no freedom of expression and freedom of the press where Journalists work under precarious situations and are exposed to poverty and fear. Media organisations are daily being asphyxiated as a result of the economic downturn occasioned by the Covid 19 Pandemic. Today, the role of the media in National Development has become more elaborate and clearer, more than ever before, despite the little funds available to them because of shrinking advertisements, and high cost of operations, media houses can no longer comfortably pay these costs and offset staff salaries and emoluments. It is instructive to note that without the media, the Covid 19 Crisis could have gone completely out of control by now. Your Excellency, it is pertinent to draw your attention to these ugly developments and request for the urgent intervention of the Federal Government to arrest this dangerous trend. Specifically, we appeal for financial bailout for the media industry through the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) and the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria for privately owned media organisations in the country. Sir, this is a crisis situation of monumental proportion and we plead for your urgent intervention to avert a catrostophe. While thanking Mr President in anticipation, you will once more accept the assurance of our cooperation at all times, please. Chris Isiguzo​​​​​​ National President CC: (1) President of the Senate, ​ National Assembly, Abuja. (2) Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja. (3) Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Office of the SGF, Abuja. (4) Minister of Information & Culture, Ministry of Information, Abuja.

Mother’s Day: Memories of Xi Jinping growing up with his mother For Chinese President Xi Jinping, “Family is people’s first classroom, and parents are children’s first teachers.” That’s what his mother, Qi Xin, used to tell him, and the words stuck with him to this day. On this Mother’s Day, Chinese broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) published a story recounting the Chinese president’s childhood memories and how the knowledge his mother imparted to him has benefited Xi through life. “Parents and seniors should pass on good morals to their children when they are little, helping them build moral integrity and a sense of goodwill, so that they can grow into a person who can contribute to the country and the general public,” Qi once said. Qi, who was born in 1926, joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1943 at the age of 17, becoming a staunch supporter of the Party’s values and beliefs. Xi recalled that when he was around five or six years old, his mother taught him to “serve the country with the utmost loyalty.” Qi had carried him on her back to a bookstore and bought a storybook about Yue Fei, a Chinese general. After they got home, the mother told the boy how Yue Fei’s mother tattooed four Chinese characters, which literally translate into “serve the country with the utmost loyalty,” on the back of her son. “I said it must have been a great pain to have those words tattooed on the back,” Xi recalled. “But my mother said that although it was painful, he remembered it by heart.” Xi has since used those words as a goal to pursue in life. Qi led a simple life, which became a tradition for the family. No matter how painstaking to take care of the family while working, she never compromised her work. Her lifestyle and the family atmosphere guided Xi’s values. “A person who failed to be incorruptible and self-disciplined will become a person with no guts. Keep in mind that honesty is a blessing and greed is a curse while establishing a correct view of power, status, and interests,” Qi once wrote in a letter to Xi, reminding him of self-discipline. Xi has incorporated these beliefs into his ideology and governance practices. Xi sincerely cares about his family, but as a leader, he can hardly visit his family during holidays. During the Spring Festival of 2001, Qi called her son, saying that as long as he did his best on the job, he would be showing the greatest filial piety to her and his father. Her words of support have greatly inspired her son to serve the general public with the goal of achieving a good life for Chinese families. Xi has repeatedly said that he “loves the people just like loving his parents.” Qi also faced adversities even during the hardest times. She’s cared for the family as a strong and loving mother. Because of her persistence, the whole family has built up the courage to stand up against difficulties. Through time and regardless of his job title, Xi has always born in mind his mother’s words to stay true to his beliefs.

REMNISCENCE ON PRESIDENT UMAR MUSA YAR’ADUA (1951-2010) AND THE QUINTESSENCE OF PATRIOTIC MATYRDOM By: Dr Godknows Igali It is simply implausible but real, that ten odd years have passed, exactly on last 5th day of May, 2020, since Nigeria found itself in the deep melancholy of laying to rest its 13th President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua. He was overtly pious, humble and was rather beatific. He called himself a Servant Leader, an euphemism that forebode his short, but impressive high national service. But then, he was fifth on the line of former leaders of the country to have died while in active service. OUR NATIONAL PATRIMONIAL HEARTBREAKS In retrospect, Nigeria has had a fair share of deaths in office. For instance, though furtive, but arguably by natural happenstance was the passing of the begoggled Head of State, General Sani Abacha on June 8, 1998, whose legacy remains an open debate. But unknown to many Nigerians, Gen. Abacha is still, also closely cherished not only on the streets of Kano and Maiduguri, but in some other parts of the country, especially places where he created six new states on October 1, 1996. Furthermore, but on a more sad note, some of our leaders fell by the heinous design of human hands. That is why the memory of the horrific loss of pioneer Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa on that cold morning of January 15, 1966 is still poignant. In his reflections, Chief Aja Nwachukwu, one of Balewa’s closest political allies and pioneer Minister of Education, who established University of Lagos and initiated Federal Government Colleges, is quoted as describing Balewa as “a living saint on whom there was a permanent shining light”. No less do many older Nigerians recall with pain the presumptive vengeful murder of first military ruler, General Thomas Umunna Aguiyi-Ironsi on July 29, 1966. He, along with people such as Ghana’s first Military Head of State,General Joseph Ankrah, were amongst the first formally trained and brightest military officers ever produced in Africa. Next on the line was General Murtala Muhammed, the 4th Head of State, whose young life was shockingly brought to an abrupt end by military coupist while driving to work in the morning of February 13, 1976. Forthright and charismatic, he is reputed globally for the audacity in calling off American bluff, regarding decolonization in Africa, through his speech “Africa has come of age, it is no longer under the orbit of any extra continental power” delivered at the OAU Extraordinary Summit of January 11, 1976. But Musa Yar’Adua was different. More than any other of his ilk, most citizens who saw through his heart, bewailed his exit with unparalleled agony. A decade after, so fittingly, Nigerians, led by President Muhammadu Buhari have not forgotten that he was “unarguably a patriot” leaving a legacy of “honest and sincere service to the country”, with a “passion for the masses” and a mien of “patience and gentle nature”. A GENEALOGY OF SERVICE The script of President Yar’Adua’s life is defined in his impressively rich family pedigree. Unlike the usual cliché of most leaders coming from very humble beginnings, including one raised in a home of cocoa farmers or another going through early education, barefooted, Umaru Yar’Adua came from a privileged ancestry. His grandfather, whose name Umaru and latter title he inherited was a senior titled person in Katsina Emirate Council. With the title of Muatawallin, he was the traditional Minister of Finance of the Emirate and an influential member within the inner circle of the ruling class. Counted amongst the original “Seven Hausa States”, Katsina, his hometown competed with Kano, Zaria and Daura for pre-eminence in the course of history. At a time, it even became the nerve centre of commerce and enterprise in Hausaland. With the Fulani conquest of the city in the 1800s and later British colonial rule, the city again became a hub of knowledge and scholarship, boasting of the first Middle School in the entire Northern Nigeria. Umaru’s father, Musa Yar’Adua, who is actually the patriarch of the modern Yar’Adua clan, was himself of Katsina royalty as his mother, Mallama Binta was a sister of Emir Muhammadu Dikko, who ruled the emirate from 1906-1944. At a time when western education was still viewed with great suspicion in Northern Nigeria, Pa Yar’Adua attended the Katsina College, now known as Barewa College, Zaria. The school was actually established in 1921 by Hugh Clifford the successor to Lord Luggard as Governor General of Nigeria. It was latter to train the very first set of intelligentsias from Northern Nigeria, including Sir Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of Northern Nigeria, Shehu Shagari, former President of Nigeria, etc. His father, one of the most central figures in the closed fraternal political clique of Northern Nigeria, easily inherited the title of Mutawallin at the home front in Katsina and secured a seat in Federal Parliament and Minister for Training and Nigerianization and later Minister for Lagos, between 1957 to 1966. The Yar’Adua children, therefore unlike their other many counterparts, grew up in the plush uptown ambience of Lagos and had a broad calling to public service. But growing up, Umaru Yar’Adua still had to take his place in the queue with his bigger brother, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who became the defacto Vice President during the time of Gen Olusegun Obasanjo’s (OBJ) period of military rule in the national limelight. His elder brother later became a prominent political leader, and partner of many, including Chief MKO Abiola, Former PDP Chairman of Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, Former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Amb Babagana Kingibe, former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, Secretary to Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana, etc PERSONAL FORMATION FOR SERVICE Umaru Yar’Adua completed his tertiary education, between 1975 to 1983 up to Masters level in Chemistry at Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria’s premier tertiary institution in Northern Nigeria, of which his father played a role in its establishment in October, 1962. For a man who devoted his life to the classroom at various tertiaries levels after his educational training, it would be fitting to recall that since after the establishment of University of Ibadan in 1948 by the colonial administration, such tertiary institutions did not exist in the rest of the country. It is against this backdrop that the then colonial administration instituted a Commission headed by Cambridge University educationist, Sir Eric Ashby (the Ashy Commission) in 1959 to identify the needs of Nigeria in post-secondary school and higher certificate education over the next twenty years. The report of the commission was submitted in September 1960. The report recommended new universities for the two regions and another for Lagos, the federal capital, even though the minority report insisted on the western region also having an additional university. But in real terms, the regional governments themselves, especially the north which had trailed other parts in educational development had done their own works. Thus ABU, which for over 50 years produced most university graduates from the north, like President Yar’Adua, along with University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (founded in 1955 but took off on October 7, 1960), Obafefmi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (formerly University of Ife), established in 1961, but took off on September 22, 1962 and the University off Lagos, also founded in 1962. A thoroughly bred person, which unintendedly prepared him for higher national service, a detour from education saw him in active and top corporate level private sector engagement, covering agriculture, banking and finance, construction, media and telecommunications, etc. Although, these were mostly family businesses, they were key players in vital sectors of the national economy and he was the Chief Executive Office INITIATION INTO POLITICS Although his family background was very conservative and part of northern Nigerian political oligarchy, his gradual entry into partisan politicking while still in his teaching years at various Colleges of Education and Polytechnics was a deviation to the radical left then headed by Mallam Aminu Kano. He therefore began as a strong grassroot mobilizer for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), which Aminu Kano formed in 1978 when Nigeria was returning to democratic rule after 9 years of military rule. The ideals of PRP were socialism and social liberalism in contradistinction to the more popular National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which was, as it were, a resurrection of the defunct Northern Peoples Congress. His father, Pa Yar’Adua was a founding member of NPC and NPN, becoming National Vice Chairman of the latter. A midway political relief between extreme left and right came Umaru Yar’Adua’s way when his elder brother, Gen Shehu Yar’Adua, now retired honourably from military career, hitherto predominantly conservative moved to the centre left. Umaru Yar’Adua was a delegate at the 1988 constituent Assembly and began working closely with his elder brother with a centre left ideological outlook. Under the watchful eyes of the then President, Ibrahim Babangida’s political experiment (1989-1993), the older, Gen Yar’Adua led his younger brother and other political associates earlier mentioned to form leading centre left political groups as Peoples Front to join forces with other left leaning groups producing the Social Democratic Party (SDP). However, Umar Yar’Adua’s incursion into state politics as a Governorship Candidate under the SDP, was met with defeat. The reasons for this were not far-fetched as Katsina State and many parts of northern Nigeria were still predominantly conservative. The candidate of the Babangida’s experimental rightist party, National Republican Convention (NRC), Saidu Bada defeated him. He had to wait another seven years, especially after the tragic loss of his elder brother Gen Yar’Adua in 1997, to join in forming the political groups known as K34, G34 and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). These later merged with others groups to become the People Democratic Party in June 1998. Now back to a more conservative platform, it was easier for him to secure the gubernatorial ticket of the PDP, then won the election and served as Governor of Katsina State for two full terms, from 1999 to 2007. Umaru Yar’Adua’s tenure as Governor left the greatest impact in not only Katsina, but he was arguably the most outstanding of his peers in Nigeria. His prioritization of education though not surprising, given his background led to the building of a State University, Polytechnics and focus on girl-child education. He also embarked on massive physical infrastructural development, including rural infrastructure, housing infrastructure, and a modern airport in the state capital. His government was also known for its knack for transparency and accountability. Unlike in the rest of the country where successors to governors in 2007 were in the sing-song of “meeting an empty treasury”, his successor Ibrahim Shema eulogized the deluge of unspent billions of public funds in the state. Despite his sterling performance as a state governor and his political antecedents, he remained relatively unknown and evasive of national political grandstanding. As President Obasanjo was winding up his eight years tenure as a democratically elected President, many of the nation’s most popular names in politics, including former military rulers and several governors of bigger and richer states, indicated interest in the office of the president much early. However, Umaru Yar’Adua, with obvious nudge and encouragement by OBJ, won the PDP’s nomination in November 2006,and was elected in 2007 as President, along with Dr Goodluck Jonathan (GEJ), an equally, less known Governor of Bayelsa State as Vice President. Many have suggested that OBJ was largely influenced by the fact that, Umaru was the younger brother of his long-time friend and ally, Shehu Yar’Adua, who played major role in stabilizing his military Government after the brutal murder of General Murtala Muhammed. However, the superior argument, which OBJ himself has alluded to, tacitly, was the fact that Umaru Yar’Adua, stood out amongst the generation of governors who took over power from the military under the Fourth Republic. This was soon to prove itself as his presidency, which brief was marked with phenomenal initiatives. SERVANT-LEADERSHIP When Umaru Yar’Adua came to office, he referred to himself as a “Servant Leader”. During his stay in office, he tried to postulate on what he meant, but in synopsis, it encompassed service delivery, that is, people centred, people oriented and welfare focused leadership. One writer recently described this as “the idea that you should be willing to support the greater good even if it means temporarily sacrificing yourself or your ideals. It embraces the concept that meeting the needs of others is what allows communities and businesses to reach their full potential”. The truth is that this creed of political mantra had always existed in political and religious thought. In the country’s two dominant religions; Christianity and Islam, Lord Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad, professed and taught amply on self-abasement and self-abnegation leaders and demonstrated it amply. Many other political leaders like the great Mahatma Ghandi, Dr, Martin Luther King showed examples of such leadership. But Umar Yar’Adua, gave it a national focus, national ideal and a national philosophical and psychological rallying cry for development. This was the ethical catchcry which Umaru Yar’Adua stood for despite his health challenge for much of the period of his presidency, which he pursued with idyllic but unrestrained passion. SEVEN POINT AGENDA Coming after eight epic years of OBJ’s active engagement in governance, the arrival of the less experienced or bullish Umaru Yar’Adua left many conjectures as to his direction of social and economic policy. However shortly after taking over on May 29, 2007, he enunciated his Seven Point Agenda, encapsulating the most critical burdens which Nigerians faced and to lay the start of the journey towards making the country among the 20 largest economy in the world by the 2020. These rather self-explanatory areas were: I) Power and Energy increase, ii) Land Reforms and access to Home Ownership; iii) Food Security for all through massive Agricultural investment iv) Education for all and Human Capital Development; v) Critical Infrastructure Development, especially, road, rail and air transportation; vi) Wealth Creation and Employment; and vii) National Security and Peace in the Niger Delta Beside these, President Yar’adua embarked on massive Electoral Reform by inaugurating the Chief Justice Muhammad Uwais Electoral Reform Committee, which submitted its report on December 11, 2008. The 22 prominent member Electoral Reform Committee came up with profound recommendations to ensure credible and peaceful election in the country. THE FINAL DAYS During the period of the campaign for the 2007 election, concerns about the integrity of the health of the leading Presidential Candidate, Umaru Yar’Adua, became an issue of public concern. In one instance, OBJ was left stranded on the campaign rostrum, as his preffered candidate, could not show up while the klieg lights were on. Accordingly, from the day he took-over the reigns of power, it was obvious that the President had grave health challenges. However, what surprised most Nigerians and members of the international community was the unusual commitment and devotion he dedicated to his duties, despite his obviously frail conditions of health. He kept a very active line of activities and never skipped an official engagement. Close aides attested that he would be the last to leave the office and would continue on his desk at the official residence by burning the midnight oil. He insisted on being on top of every issue and wanted to ensure, even against negative circumstances to accomplish all his electoral campaign commitments and the content of the Seven Point Agenda. As a Servant Leader, he was resolved, at times, almost unable to speak audibly to lead from the front. I recall on a personal note, that while accompanying a foreign President to see him in early 2009, the former, a lady, with motherly courage had politely suggested, “Mr President, don’t you think you need to take a bit of rest”, to which he replied, “I am already resting enough”. Like sacrificial lamb, he saw the beckoning of the final hours, but insisted on serving his country. Alas, on a faithful day in November 21, 2009, yours truly while vising Nigeria on diplomatic consultation, away from the creeping cold of Stockholm, took time to accompany the then Vice President, GEJ to Kaduna to commission a new production line of Peugeot Auto(Hajia) mobile. On return at about 5:00pm, the Vice President received a call to see the President immediately. The rest of the story, yet to be fully recounted by direct witnesses was that a portentous flight carried away the ill and physically overstrained President of Africa’s biggest nation to Saudi Arabia, that evening. Of course, at the destination, the forced rest which he had continuously refused to take in Abuja was dutifully imposed for at least five months. As the clock of life’s journey ticked unhinged, the more ominous return home was for another forced rest before the ultimate final departure, which even the unfeigned love of his dearest better half, First Lady Hajia Turai or matriarchal shield of Mama (Hajia) Aya Dada could not stop. Going forward, after having dinner with the Acting President, GEJ at 6:00 pm on that ill-fated evening and exchange of parting pleasantries for the day, yours truly took leave to retire, only to receive a call at about 8:30pm: “Ambassador, come immediately”. The journey to Aguda House, took less than five minutes from location, only to meet in place, all the big names, General T. Y. Danjuma, Chief Tony Anenih, etc all in pensive mood. Then the whisper from the Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadhome “our dear President is gone. Go with Oronto Douglas to somewhere quiet and prepare a solemn speech and bring it back before midnight, oga is in a very sad mood, cannot see anybody apart from these elders”. “ASK OF WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY” Those are the hackneyed words of 35th American President, John F Kennedy. He had earlier said at another occasion, that “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men…..”Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other…. “Life is never easy. There is work to be done and obligations to be met—obligations to truth, to justice, and to liberty”. Such an allegory for a man who like Yar’Adua embarked on altruistic policies which he knew would displease several sections of his country and may bring hurt and personal pain; yet he did not buckle and paid the supreme price. 1963 when JFK died to 2010 is 47 years. But the parallels of Umaru Yar’Adua’s life and service and that of J. F. Kennedy are similar. Although one died of natural causes and the other fell due to the devious designs of men, they were both born into wealth and privileged status, but beckoned unwaveringly into public service. They both saw death, the tolling bells of mortality echoing loudly around them, but sacrificially worked for the common good till the very end. After everything, the question is, what is life all about if not to be lived for the common good when the transience of human existence is so real? Obviously both men could not accomplish all that they had set ahead of them. Kennedy wanted an America where color, race and creed would be of minimal relevance in social insertion and public life. He started a revolution, which eventually saw to the emergence of Barrack Obama, son of a Black African Muslim, becoming the 44th President of the United States of America, so many years after he passed on. Yar’Adua’s various projects on leadership, electoral reform and the Seven Point Agenda, remain the focus of succeeding governments, rebranded and repackaged in various forms. For one, his Amnesty Programme on the Niger Delta, though only partially implemented remains the cornerstone for peace in the region. Amongst the country’s thirteen Heads of State so far, his tenure was amongst the shortest; but his impact and remembrance are monumental as is the case of the great martyrs who stood to profess their ideal in the face of deafening cruelty of life. He will always remain in the hearts of succeeding generation as the truest of humankind. Igali, an award-winning author, is a Career Diplomat and Administrator