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Buhari, Gowon, Governors hail Fayemi at book presentation (PHOTOS)
Former Head of State/ Chairman of Occasion, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); flanked by the Author/ Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi. (left) and wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; at the public presentation of “Unfinished Greatness Envisioning and New Nigeria” at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja,,,on Thursday
President Mohammadu Buhari on Thursday urged Nigerian leaders to endeavour to share their experiences and vision through published work and regularly engage in discussions that centre round the future and greatness of the country.
President Buhari stated this at the public presentation of “Unfinished Greatness: Envisioning a New Nigeria”, written by Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
The President who hailed Dr Fayemi’s as an intellectual in government, said the new book should serve as a pointer to achieving the vision of the founding fathers of Nigeria which he described as ”work in progress”.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, President Buhari was of the view that “the more people of vision write about the future of a society the better it will be for that society.”
The event which was chaired by a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, also featured a keynote address by a former Director for Africa and West Asia, International IDEA, Prof Adebayo Olukoshi, and a panel discussion, on envisioning a new Nigeria by a member of ThisDay Editorial Board, Mr Waziri Adio; Executive Director, Enough is Enough, Nigeria, Yemi Adamolekun; Executive Director, Dinidari Africa, Ndi Kato and Founder/ Executive Director, Connected Development, Hamzat Bala.
The events had in attendance, Governors Babajide Sanwolu (Lagos); Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara); Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), while the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Edo were represented by their deputies.
General Gowon who also hailed Dr Fayemi for his valuable contributions to national discourse, said Nigeria needed more leaders with vision, vigour and good understanding of the key issues in the country.
The former Head of State who restated his belief in the greatness and oneness of the country, urged Nigerians to show more commitment to peace and progress of the country, said the Nigeria Prays which he leads was one of the ways the greatness of the country can be established.
In his keynote address, the Guest Speaker and former Director for Africa and West Asia, International IDEA, Prof Adebayo Olukoshi raised issues that bothers on the intrinsic relationship that should exist between the institutions of the country and its leadership.
Prof Olukoshi stressed the need for Nigerian leaders to transcend above narrow and parochial differences and find common things that bind the people of the country together to enable them forge a new consensus around dignity.
According to the renowned Political Scientist, while character can help build a nation, dignity would enhance its transformation, adding that this must begin from the journey of self-respect.
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