Niger State governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu has stated that former heads of state Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangid and Abdulsalami Abubakar and others like them who fought for the unity of Nigeria would not allow Nigeria to disintegrate.
Similarly, the governor painted a bleak picture of youth unemployment in the country, saying that in Niger State alone there were over 30,000 unemployed graduates who have been idle three years after graduation
Aliyu made these comments yesterday at a literary colloquium entitled: “Creativity, Youth and National Development”, organized to mark his 58th birthday at Justice Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, the Niger State capital.
“When I look at their faces – President Babangida and Abdusalami – I know they will not allow what they fought for to go asunder. Allah will not test you people to allow Nigeria break.”
Aliyu, whose speech was hinged on servant leadership, maintained that whoever does good as a leader, people would always remember them just like the Saudana of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose legacy remains till now.
Aliyu lamented that when Nigeria was not as rich as it is now, there was free education and the unemployment rate was low, unlike now that Nigeria is oil-rich yet the country cannot afford to provide free education and other basic services.
He also lamented that nobody could ascertain how much accrues to the federation account but only what is declared by the NNPC and noted that the CBN should be held accountable if it cannot not check the NNPC.
“There has been a reduction in the revenue coming to the country from sale of oil. We don’t know how much we make but the outside world knows what we sell and how much we make.
“Since May, a lot of money has not been paid into the national purse. We should hold the CBN responsible because they are the custodian of all monies coming to the country,” he said.
Earlier, the governor of River State, Rotimi Amechi, had challenged literary writers to probe into people in positions of authority by writing on current issues like the last fuel subsidy.
“Literature is about patriotism, pragmatism and creativity; writers should concentrate more on current issues in the country,” he said.
The occasion was attended by dignitaries including General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and scholars from Ghana. Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Governor Amaechi were given servant leadership awards by the colloquium.