Let’s talk up Nigeria, Osinbajo says at poet Umukoro’s book launch

 

• says nation-building is the collective efforts of all citizens
• despite diversity, we belong to the Nigerian side – VP

 

A significant part of building a great nation is both in the words and actions of all citizens motivated by patriotism and the collective efforts of citizens and leaders alike.

These were some of the highlights of remarks by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, yesterday evening at the formal presentation and book launch of “The Memory of Seasons,” by award-winning writer and journalist, Arukaino Umukoro.

The lively event in Abuja was themed “Conversations on Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity: Challenges, Opportunities.” The book, a collection of poems on nationhood, faith, life and humanity, was published by Eternalfilez Publishing, the event’s organisers.

The Vice President, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, which held at the Shehu Musa Yar ‘Adua Centre, Abuja, noted that “a big part of Nation building is talking up your nation.”

“Every country talks up their own country. People of every country talk up their own country. When we get home, we can criticize ourselves, but we must talk up our country, ” according to the Vice President.

Continuing, the VP asked, “What are the narratives that we push about Nigeria?

“The stories of nations written by others focus on their own agendas, the agendas of the authors. The negatives, of course, sell more and much faster, we must tell our own stories.

“We belong to one side, and that side is the Nigerian side. Someone was talking about Arsenal a few moments ago, that Arsenal would win this premier league. Because that’s our side, we take the side. They may not be the best, they may not win all the time, but that’s our side; this country is our side. So, we must talk up this country, continue to talk it up and make sure that, in every way, that we can, we give the very best impression of our country.

“Our country is not its politicians, it’s not even its religious leaders, it’s not its business leaders, it is you and I. Our country cannot be defined by any group of people, any political party or the head of a political party, or whoever else. It is defined by us, all of us: those of us who are born Nigerians, born by Nigerians, or who become Nigerians by naturalization.”

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “our stories must be stories of our aspirations, our dreams and our hopes, planted on the successes of our journey and the future of great hope, because we have the incredible talents and material resources, and already on that journey, we are very far ahead.

“And I think the poem, Imagine Nigeria, which is in the book, captures the story we want to tell the world; and I’m going to read portions of it just to encourage us.”

Quoting copiously from one of Umukoro’s poems, Imagine Nigeria, the Vice President read some stanzas:

“Imagine Nollywood movies winning Oscars every other year. Funke, Ejiro, Asabe, on the global stage.

Imagine Super Eagles winning the World Cup, finishing top five on the Olympics’ medals table.

Imagine food baskets all over the country, sufficient to feed 200 million people, yet enough left for export.

Imagine the UN asking third-world countries to learn from the rapid development of the West only this time, it is the South-West of Nigeria.

Imagine the rise of groundnut pyramids like the sphinx in the Northern deserts.

Imagine those cattle on a thousand hills and valleys, whose dairy products are sold in Europe.

Imagine Harvard in Jigawa, MIT in Kebbi; and Almajiri a cancelled word.

Imagine the best resorts in Africa in the Niger Delta, where children swim in clean water flowing from the creeks.

Imagine Hawaii in Akwa Ibom or Bayelsa, Disneyland in Warri; architectural masterpieces, and a boat cruise in the Niger Delta.

Imagine that over 250 ethnic groups understand their differences, and harness their diversity into strength, to become a truly indivisible country.

Imagine the one ‘Nigeria tribe”.

Imagine a country with focused, selfless leaders. And strong institutions.

Imagine a country where the rule of law prevails. A country where there is dignity in labour; where justice is a meal both for the rich & poor.”

Then the VP added that “this Nigeria of our imagination is possible, for as long as we have the likes of Ruky (Arukaino), in whose hearts burn brightly the reality of this new Nation.”

Congratulating the author for delivering “such a wonderful set of poems”,  Osinbajo stated that, “sometimes we have to reflect when you read Arukaino’s poetry, you have to think again and reflect.

“I am overwhelmed by the achievements of Arukaino; we’ve heard about all the awards (he has won),” the Vice President said.

Osinbajo further stated that the author’s themes in his debut collection of poetry, “quite frankly do not surprise me. He (Arukaino) is a conscientious public intellectual and a restless social activist who believes in this nation fervently.”

Emphasising the words of the Chairman of the occasion (Engr Rabiu Suleiman), the VP noted that, “The Chairman has already told us that Ruky started early. His father, Mr. Godswill Dean Umukoro, also a brilliant poet and writer, encouraged him from a young age to be creative and use his writing gifts. And we were told that when he was still in primary school, his father helped him publish his first-ever fiction story titled “One Good Turn Deserves Another.” It was published in the then popular ‘Democrat Newspaper’ in Kaduna State, where he lived with his parents at the time.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman, (Chairman/CEO, RiftOil Petroleum Company Ltd & Yolde Energies Limited,) commended the author for an important literary work that also speaks to nationhood.

Suleiman, a former Group Executive Director & Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (HMSPR), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC, now NNPC Limited), said, “I am proud of his achievements and how far he has come since then. It is obvious that the Vice President is a big inspiration to him. Arukaino talks a lot about His Excellency’s exemplary character, selfless service and dedication to nation-building.”

Highlights of the event included spoken word performances focused on nation-building from Umukoro’s book – including Imagine Nigeria and Rebirth of a Nation. They were performed by Tamara Dogubo and Abdullahi Haruna (Haruspice). It also featured a panel discussion on the event’s theme.

The panel, which was moderated by journalist, Irene Ubani, featured the Special Assistant to President on Digital and New Media and a 2022-2023 Fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Tolu Ogunlesi; renowned broadcast journalist and co-anchor, Channels Television prime-time breakfast show “Sunrise Daily”; Maupe Ogun; founder, Anisza Foundation (Nigeria’s 1st ever UNITY Photo Gallery), Novo Isioro; and Lawyer and Development Economist, Myani Bukar. The Conversations were aimed towards driving meaningful discourse that promotes national unity.

Also at the event, the founder of Project One Nigeria, Busayo Busari-Akinnadeju, gave goodwill remarks that urged patriotism and pride in Nigeria and its greatness.

Aside from the Vice President, dignitaries at the occasion included the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, in the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Ade Ipaye; the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Ambassador Adeyemi Dipeolu, among other senior government officials.