News Desk
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday declared that he is going through pains administering a diverse country like Nigeria.
This is as he assured that the policies and decisions his young administration has so far taken have been for the long-term interest of the country, adding that the new Nigeria he is midwifing will give birth to a nation that all citizens will enjoy.
President Tinubu, who stated this at the book presentation of former Federal Commissioner for Information Edwin Clerk, “Brutally Frank,” at the International Conference Center in Abuja, noted further that the diversity in the country has remained its uniting force, adding that his administration has remained focused on the uniting factors in the country.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the president said he has demonstrated his belief in a united Nigeria through his current posting of his ministerial nominees.
He emphasized that he has broken the jinx by insisting that no particular ministry has remained the permanent stronghold of any particular section of the country.
He said, “This country is structurally difficult to handle. But our diversity in culture, religion, tribe, and others constitutes our unity.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated his belief in a united Nigeria.
“Since he came in, he has demonstrated it with his appointments. For example, he has broken the jinx with a nominee from the South East as Works Minister for the first time since the return to democracy in 1999.
“We are going through pains administering the country. But we will get there, especially with the romoval of fuel subsidies. We can endure this. What we are going through today is for a better tomorrow.
“Measures have been taken, several tons of grains have been released, buses, etc., and more will be released to reduce the pain.
“All hands have been on the desk; the sky is our limit. Let’s continue to project the things that will unite us rather than divide the nation,” he pleaded.
Several speakers at the event, including former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former President Goodluck Jonathan, all the governors of the South-South states, and traditional rulers, all praised the efforts of Edwin Clerk in fighting for Nigeria’s unity and oneness, adding that he has remained a role model in the pursuit of a united Nigeria.
Gowon described Clark as having a tiring legacy of his national service and explained how he initiated reconciliation with the war-ravaged states in the defunct East Central State by rebuilding war-damaged schools as well as sending one of his daughters to study in the east, immediately after the end of the civil war, as a move to push reconciliation.
“He fitted in very well as Minister of Information at a time when we needed to heal the various wounds caused by the civil war. He became my confidant and the voice of the government during that period.
“He was useful in our vision of building a common identity both in Nigeria and beyond.
“This book, “Brutally Frank,” is therefore very useful to explain what happened in Nigeria during our time of struggle to entrench peace, unity, and progress in a war-ravaged country,” General Gowon stated.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the events organizing committee, Ambassador Godknows Igali, described Clark as a lover of the Nigerian nation, stressing that the broad and wide national outlook in terms of attendance at the occasion has proved how Nigerians accept him.
He said, “An affirmation that the life of Chief Clark has always been viewed from the way he devoted to peace, unity, and what will keep the country together.
“We know that he has been brutally frank in all his views about the unity and oneness of the country; hence, he chose that as the title of his book.”
The well-attended book presentation was graced by politicians including governors, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, representatives of PANDEF, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, the Middle Belt Forum, and captains of industry.
Techretory with agency report
