Former
Minister of Defence, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), said on Saturday
in Zaria, Kaduna State, that Nigerian leaders had failed the nation.
Danjuma,
who said this at his conferment with a traditional title of Jarma Zazzau by
Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, also lamented that the Nigerian nation and its
economy were now in tatters.
He
added that the nation was in need of patriotic elders that would use their
wisdom to give the country the much needed direction.
According
to him, the confused nature of Nigerians is a clear indication of failure on
the part of the leaders.
Danjuma
also took a swipe on the North, saying that in a highly competitive world,
northern children were missing out in qualitative and functional education,
adding that poverty had become the lots of northerners.
He
urged northern leaders to talk less as according to him, they are “talking too
much and doing less for the development of the North. We urgently need to put
our house in order so we can overcome our various challenges.”
He
added, “This is the time for elders to be circumspect and temperate in their
utterances. It is not in our character as northerners to talk too much. We need
to think more, pray more, plan more, work harder, relate better, but talk less.
Battles are fought and won through wisdom and strategy than through inflammable
pronouncement and political tantrums.
“It
is most appropriate and gratifying that I am receiving this honour in Zaria
where I spent some of my formative years. Zaria was one of the few northern
cities that first opened her gates to pioneer missionaries in Northern Nigeria,
which is why Wusasa has become the second home of many northern Christian
leaders.
“Zaria
has therefore distinguished itself as a beacon of religious tolerance, peaceful
coexistence and educational advancement. Nigeria and especially Northern
Nigeria urgently need to recapture the spirit of Zaria, the spirit of
knowledge, tolerance, harmony, peace and prosperity.
“In
spite of the many years of mismanaged opportunities and resources, I still
believe that Nigeria can be reawakened and rebuilt to achieve greatness. If we
renew our minds and reconcile with one another, if we coordinate our determined
efforts, we can make Northern Nigeria self-reliant and self-sufficient, while
enhancing the unity and prosperity of all Nigerians. But we must first have
peace.”
Danjuma,
a former army chief, noted that there could be no peace and harmonious
coexistence where there was wide disparity between the rich and the poor.
Source: Punch
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