Gov Arch Namadi Sambo attends Tributes for Awoniyi At Foundation, Book Launch at Arewa House, Kaduna

From SA on ICT, Kaduna

May 1, 2008

KADUNA State, yesterday, literally stood still for the late Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Chief Sunday Bolorunduro Awoniyi, as people from all walks of life trooped to the Arewa Hall in the city to witness the launching of his foundation and the public presentation of a collection of his speeches and writings.

Among those who witnessed the event were the Executive Governor of Kaduna state Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo, three former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon who was the Chairman of the occasion, Major General Muhammadu Buhari and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

"We as northerners must work to reposition the north as Awoniyi wished because if the north is developed, Nigeria is developed" said Gov Arch Namadi Sambo who spoke on behalf of all the Northern Governors saying "a total of 39 Million naira was donated by the northern Governors towards the Awoniyi Foundation with each state donating N2 million. We must develop educational imbalance; we must develop agriculture and the high poverty level in the north".

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, whose flight to Kaduna was disturbed by bad weather sent his apologies to the organisers of the event.

President Umaru Yar'Adua who was represented by Senator Sanusi Daggash, Minister of National Planning. Others who attended the occasion were former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; former Minister of the FCT Abuja, Lt General Jeremiah Useni; former Chief of Army Staff, General Salisu Ibrahim; General Mohammed Magoro; Alhaji Adamu Fika; former Deputy Senate President, Chief Albert Legogie.

And former Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, Chief Bola Tinubu and Chief Segun Osoba respectively.

Others were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III; Alhaji Saidu Barda; Malam Mamman Daura; Ambassador Yusuf Abubakar; Alhaji Murtala Yusuf; Alhaji Isa Mohammed Imam; Alhaji Abbas Hassan; Dr Nuru Yakubu and Professor Yakubu Nasidi.

Also there were Dino Melaye; Alhaji Bello Tarfa; Hon Mohammed Mamman; the Editor of Vanguard newspapers, Mr Gbenga Adefaye; Alhaji Ibrahim Damcida; Engineer Nsofor; Alhaji Tijani Abubakar; former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Saidu; Ambassador Aminu Wali; the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris; Alhaji Aliko Mohammed; Justice Alfa Belgore; Senator Joseph Waku and Alhaji Ishiaku Ibrahim.

The new Chairman of ACF, Major General Ibrahim Haruna (rtd); ACF Secretary, Col Musa Shehu; Architect Mohammed Sale; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Senator Umaru Dahiru; Ambassadors Bashir Wali and Shehu Malami also attended.

Those who travelled from Mopa where the late Chief Awoniyi held the traditional title of Aro, were the traditional ruler, the Elulu of Mopa, Oba Julius Joledo; the Otunba of Mopa, Chief David Durojaiye; Elder Ajimba, the Baale; Chief Matthew Oju; Elder John Oke Alege (elder brother of Chief Awoniyi); Mr Emmanuel Alege; Ojo Jacob, Baale Ilegema; Chief Olorunfemi, and Awoniyi's two widows Florence Awoniyi and Mrs B.O Awoniyi.

His children and grandchildren who attended the occasion were the Rev. Gboyega Awoniyi, Philip Awoniyi, Yomi Awoniyi, Bisi Awoniyi, Olu Awoniyi, Shade Awoniyi, Sola Awoniyi and Deno, Jumoke and Tayo, all his grand children.

In their tributes to the departed nationalist and elder statesmen, those who attended said Chief Awoniyi was truthful, straight forward and a humanist who showed the light for others to follow.

General Gowon who inaugurated the National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the ACF after the gathering observed a one-minute silence in honour of Chief Awoniyi said he lived and died for the unity of the north and Nigeria as a whole.

"His life was dedicated to the north, the country and mankind. He was brilliant and an exceptional public servant at the regional and federal levels. He was a reluctant politician of very high moral standard.

He was frank, sometimes to a fault. He was very kind and generous and did not discriminate against tribal or religions inclinations," Gen. Gowon said, adding that General I.B.M. Haruna who was taking over from Chief Awoniyi as ACF Chairman with his new team needed to work hard for their impact to be felt like the late Chief Awoniyi.

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, in his tribute described Chief Awoniyi as a rare Nigerian whose virtues should be emulated.

"It is very rare in Nigeria to see such an individual like this. The gathering cuts across the length and breath of this country. He was one of the greatest nationalists.

We must emulate his selfless service to the country if we want to move this nation forward. Awoniyi was selfless, dedicated, and fearless. He said things as they were without fear of repercussion.

Governor Arch Mohammed Namadi Sambo is a true democrat, whose approach to problems is always humane and conciliatory he is a man of peace who patiently looked to the future with courage and hope. His commitment in the direction of transforming the state into a relatively better integrated and functional polity is continuing  with a mission  to create a stable  and cohesive polity capable of securing effectively the interests of the various communities and giving them the opportunity to develop and live in peace  with one another.

» STATE MINISTRIES