By Danlami Nmodu
General Theophilus Danjuma has urged leaders in the Northern part of Nigeria to apply wisdom and talk less in these difficult times.Danjuma who made this remark in Zaria during the conferment of the traditional title ,Jarmai Zazzau on him by the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris said “we urgently need to put our house in order so we can overcome our various challenges.This is the time for elders to be circumspect and temperate in their utterance.It is not in our character as northerners to talk too much.We need to think more,pray more,plan more,work harder,relate better,but talk less.Battles are better fought and won through wisdom and strategy than through inflammable pronouncements and political tantrums.”
Danjuma noted that there are clear signs of leadership failure in Nigeria and in deed northern Nigeria; and there is therefore need for “patriotic elders statesmen”.
“Nigeria ,and indeed northern Nigeria ,has never been in short supply of politicians scheming and screaming for due and undue advantage”,Danjuma said,adding “What has been in short supply are patriotic elder statesmen who would use their experience and wisdom to give our country a clear sense of purpose and direction.When elders become decadent, the youth are bound to become delinquent.Our people are confused and perplexed ,they have become flock scattered on many hills without a shepperd.This is a clear indication of leadership failure”
The former defence minister also said “our society and economy are in tatters.In a highly competitive world,our children are missing out in getting qualitative and functional education .The masses of our people are chained down in dehumanizing and grinding poverty, while we continue to maintain few islands of prosperity in a turbulent ocean of penury and squalor.There cannot be peace and harmony where there is wide disparity between the few rich and a multitude of the poor.”
Meanwhile,President Goodluck Jonathan h congratulates General Danjuma on today’s conferment on him of the high traditional title of Jarmai Zazzau by the Emir of Zaria, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Shehu Idris.
President Jonathan joined General Danjuma’s family, friends, associates, former colleagues in the Armed Forces, protégés and admirers in all parts of the country in felicitating with him on being honoured yet again for his immense contributions to the development of the nation.
A statement by Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said the President believes that General Danjuma’s splendid career in the Armed Forces and public service of the Federation, as well as his colossal philanthropy and generosity to communities in all geo-political zones of the country have ensured that he will be continually honoured and celebrated by an appreciative nation.
“President Jonathan also commends the Emir of Zaria for honouring the former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence whose outstanding personal contributions to the progress of institutions and communities in Nigeria include the recent donation of over N2 Billion to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the construction of a new library, lecture hall, auditorium and administrative block”,Abati said,adding that “he prays that God Almighty will continue to bless General Danjuma with good health and grant him many more years of great service to his beloved fatherland.”
