By Ojo Sola Olusegun
Kaduna
Erstwhile chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC), Justice Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi, has urged the north not to contemplate breaking away from Nigeria.
Speeaking at a lecture organised by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) with the theme: “The North and The Nigerian Federation: The Past, Present and the Future”, to mark the 56th anniversary of the region’s attainment of self-government, Justice Akanbi, said no doubt there was division in the north, hence the need for it to unite and be counted among those who made Nigeria and Africa great.
“Until the North is able to produce the likes of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Malam Aminu Kano in leadership position and give their all to the supreme wellbeing of the common man, the underprivileged of society and the suffering masses, it may be difficult to capture the pristine glories of the past which made every northerner to be proud of his heritage.
“There is no doubt there is division in the camp. Some northerners are now chasing money about in order to make them politically relevant in the polity. Without unity, there can be no progress or any positive achievement. Let us work together for the good of all.
“Let me say that when I surveyed the horizon and examined the past and present, I feel it is not too late for us to come together in the service of God and humanity.
The North cannot and should not contemplate breaking away from Nigeria. There is so much that binds us together, all we need do, is to ensure that we are not left behind in the scheme of things.
“Therefore, let us be up and doing, so that in the final analysis, we may be counted among those who made Nigeria nay Africa great. It is this leadership quality, which Sir Ahmadu Bello exemplified that made us all proud to be northerners”, Akanbi said.
The ACF Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie, in his keynote address, said: “I am assuring you that the North would once again regain its pride and our travails, would very soon, fizzle out and thereafter we shall commence rebuilding of what was started in 1959 in line with our vision of a nation of the 21st century”.