PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu was brutally honest with Nigerians yesterday, informing them that there are no quick fixes to the nation‘s simmering issues and reiterating his plea for them to be patient given the hardships brought on by the elimination of petroleum subsidies.
But he promised that after the pain of today, tomorrow will be better.
He spoke in Abuja at the launch of Chief Edwin Clark’s 688-page autobiography, Brutally Frank, the former Federal Commissioner for Information.
President Tinubu stated that the answer to Nigeria’s issue could not be like instant coffee, comparing the country’s current situation to the pain of childbirth and the joy that will follow.
He expressed hope that the federal government’s palliatives would contribute to lessening the pain and anguish. The 25-chapter book centers on Clark’s career spanning more than seven decades as a teacher, commissioner, priest, senator, and national activist. For a brighter future, we can withstand this difficulty. Tinubu, who was represented by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, characterized Clark as a member of the extremely uncommon class of extraordinary individuals known as the Iroko of the South-South and the Eagle of Nigeria.
Akume declared, “He (Tinubu) has also instructed me to inform this group that we are experiencing a trying time in this nation’s history.
The creation of a new nation, however, is what is causing these pangs. And that the mother must endure some suffering if you want to celebrate a kid or a newborn.
But joy remains at the end of the day. When the baby is delivered, there is celebration. “Solutions to issues can never be as immediate as coffee, but we’ll be there, for sure. But we must undoubtedly be present. I am aware that eliminating gasoline subsidies has resulted in some things. Palliative measures are being implemented as a result; 100 trucks of fertilizer and 100 trucks of grain have already been transferred to the United States, and additional trucks and buses are on their way.
We can put up with this for now. The struggles we face now are for a better tomorrow. Because people have hope, nations are great. They believe that the future will be better than the present.
“There is no need introducing a man who needs no introduction,” he stated in reference to Clark. Chief E. K. Clark is a household name throughout this country and I recall at a personal level when I was in secondary school, my Governor then was the late Jedi Gomwalk, while his governor was Major Ogbemudia and because the two governors were very close the name Clark was constantly mentioned in our circles and eventually when I went to Jos to do my HSC, the name became even sound.
The president respects you as a person and is aware that you are a part of Nigerian folklore, Chief E. K. Clark, I must state. You are the Eagle of the country and the Iroko of the South-South. You too think this nation should be united. Additionally, it is illustrated in the book you wrote yourself.
One shouldn’t be shocked considering how strongly your employer and our father, General Gowon, believed in the geographical integrity and national unity of this nation.
My confidant was Clark, said GOWON
General Gowon, who chose Clark to be the Federal Commissioner for Information, stated earlier in his speech that the wise man was his confidant and the government’s voice who boldly supported the government and promoted its image.
Gowon claimed that although Clark had a high moral code, he always presented his ideas politely, and that as the sole surviving member of his cabinet, Clark was useful in articulating government goals and fostering a sense of national unity.
“I can assure you I have never had any difficulty or argument with him,” said Gowon, who presided over the event. It was delivered courteously and amicably. Given his strong personality, he did, on occasion, fiercely argue with his colleagues, commissioners, and military leaders and make a significant effort to persuade them of the superiority of his own stance.
The book’s foreword was written by Gowon. He characterized the author as a prominent Nigerian who had contributed to the expansion and advancement of Nigeria as a nation.
Why I appointed Clark as Minister of Information
In a flashback, Gowon recalled appointing Clark as the then-military government’s minister of information because he was looking for the ideal replacement for Anthony Enahoro at the time.
In his own words, “Clark’s appointment as minister in the cabinet, which I chaired, was motivated by the necessity to fill the gap left by Enahoro’s departure. He became become my confidant and the government’s spokesperson, fiercely upholding and presenting the government’s image. I took comfort in Clark and I usually having cordial conversations about politics and other topics.
He gave our country immeasurable benefits. JONATHAN
“In fact, Clark is one of those few Nigerians whose name should be written in letters of gold in our political history book,” said former president Goodluck Jonathan. Not because he is my father, but because I was aware of his contribution. There was discussion about percentages of 70%, 2/3, 1/4, or whatever that could get them to stand up and agree on something when I set up the 2014 National Conference.