Speech at Book Launch, 06.07.1997
BEING AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY ABUBAKAR SADIQ AJIYA, THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF AREWA (UK)
DURING A BOOK LAUNCH “THE TURNING POINT” BY MR CHUKWUDUM IKEAZOR, ON 6TH JULY 1997 AT THE AFRICA CENTRE, LONDON WC2
In the name of God, the most Merciful, the most Kind,
Members of the high table, Chief Launcher, The Author, and Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
I just want to express my gratitude to Chief Chukwudum Ikeazor, for inviting me to this rather auspicious and memorable occasion.
I think it is something very important to come here, to see and to hear what other people may have to say about our beloved country, Nigeria.
Now, I have been asked to speak about “Reconciliation”, It will therefore be incomplete to talk about the subject alone.
In fact, it will be realistic to draw attention to the following books, namely:
1) Nigeria- Time for all hands on deck - Chinedu Munir Nwoko
2) The Report to the people of Nigeria - Chukwudum Ikeazor
3) The Ethnic Factor - Chukwudum Ikeazor
4) The Turning Point - Chukwudum Ikeazor - The book about to be launched.
Thus, in order to understand the meaning of Reconciliation; the causes of conflicts; implications and damage limitation, it is necessary to discuss it from its very foundation.
There are am compelled to draw my experience from Islamic perspectives.
Reconciliation may be defined as an act of the Apostle; it can also be described as “A healing process in which there is no winner or loser”,
This process must begin from top to bottom ladder of society.
It is a give and take phenomenon.
We make peace, so we can live in peace and we create harmony, so that the future generation can also cultivate the spirit of tolerance and enduring peace. Without inculcating this spirit, the future of our next generation will be doomed.
Peace is very important, not only because it pose a threat to our security survival, but also because it threatens the very existence of those who oppose us.
To talk on Reconciliation, one does not need to read volumes upon volumes of books, rather it simply requires deep realm of benevolent thinking on matters surrounding us, such as: history both past and contemporary issues.
In short, we just need to look at all embracing phenomena around us - thus compel us into ardent search for Reconciliation at a great moment of national emergency to reach out to each other for the sake of peace.
That spirit has hitherto brought us together in our great numbers.
The other day, we were exchanging views with the former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari, The Turaki of Sokoto, in which he told us that … in the eve of our Independence. he was sent by the Late Prime Minister, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, to represent Nigeria at a conference in Tanganyika now Tanzania, there he met with President Julius Nyerere, then a Cabinet Minister, who told him of his great admiration with the “Nigeria’s Miracle” … He went on … in spite of our differences - with over 250 ethnic tribes, our leaders were still able to live together as one country, whilst in East Africa, despite the fact that Tanganyika, Kenya and Uganda etc are all joint by a common language - the Swahili, but each still wants to go it alone … Even though, when a fraction of Nigeria ’s.
These are the potentials and these are the secrets that make Nigeria great!
People outside Nigeria see great potentials in us; it is indeed up to us to cultivate.
Generally, people are expert at detecting the faults of others. If they were to seek out their own fault instead of those of others, they would certainty realise that they are in the same to be in.
Awareness of one’s own shortcomings makes for a spirit of humility in an individual and unity in society ‘,
It is a fact of psychology that no single person can be an amalgam of all good qualities. Just as there are many shades of grey between black and white, so are there many gradations of good and evil in ordinary human beings,
The social context or situation giving rise to human behaviour or activity is called “Behavioural Predicament”.
The most important framework of rules within which human relations take place is provided by higher authority, for it to be some code of ethical and moral values.
To cite but few examples from the Holy Qur’an:
“Oh you who believe!
If a wicked person comes to you with news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done” (Qur’an, Chapter 49 Verses 6)
In other words, individual quarrels are much easier to deal with than national quarrels, which are assumed to be matters of fundamental importance.
In another verse, the Holy Qur’an states that:
“Oh you who believe!
Let not some people among you laugh at others:
It may be that the latter are better than the former; nor defame; nor be sarcastic to each other by (offensive) nicknames (to be used of one} after one has believed: And those who do not desist are indeed doing wrong”,
(Qur’an, Chapter 49 Verse 11).
Similarly, slander of all kinds is condemned. In truth, we laugh with people; share in happiness of life, but we must never laugh at people in contempt or ridicule, for in many ways they may be far better than we are.
“Oh you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): For suspicion in some cases is sin. And spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs,
Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead fellow human being? Definitely not, you would abhor it … But fear God:
For God is Oft-Returning, most Merciful”.
What a wonderful verse.
“Oh Mankind (not my kind, but Mankind!)
We have created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another (not to despise each other). Verily, the most honoured of you is (s\he who is) the most righteous of you. And God is well acquainted (with all things).
Ladies and Gentlemen: the above Chapters and Verses are open addresses to the universality of human race, irrespective of race, colour, creed, nationality or any backgrounds.
Before God, we are all one!
“Oh, you who believe!
God has created differences in your languages and your colours:
Verily, in that are signs for those who know”.
Finally, finally, I wish to Qur’anic Verse:
“And the creation of the Heavens and Earth, and the Variations in your languages, in that are signs to those who know”
“Verily, mankind is in a state of loss, (viewed partly from the aspect of time phenomenon) except those who give in handsome charity; patient in adversity and offer admonition to one another”.
People do look different and however different they may look, they all came from one ancestor, that is Adam and Eve. Whatever the differences in our language, culture and backgrounds, our fundamental unity, should and must forever remain unadulterated at all material times and place.
Thank you and God bless Nigeria!
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