President Bola Tinubu, former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon and former President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday urged young Nigerians to follow in the steps of elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, stressing that his commitment to national unity, spanning decades, is exemplary.
Tinubu, Gowon and Jonathan stated this in Abuja at the public presentation of Clark’s autobiography titled, “Brutally Frank’, which chronicled his life as a classroom teacher, a commissioner, minister, and national activist.
Represented by the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume at the event, Tinubu extolled Clark as a patriotic leader noting that he is a household name.
“You are an Iroko of the South South and an eagle of the nation. And you believe in the unity of this country and it has been demonstrated in your book personally written by you,” Tinubu said.
The president however stressed the need to resist the dismemberment of the country, just as he reiterated his plea to Nigerians for patience over the hardship caused by the petroleum subsidy removal.
The president, who noted that palliatives are being rolled, added that solutions to the problem cannot be immediate.
The president, who admitted that Nigeria is going through a tough time in its history, said Nigeria might be structurally complex but never difficult to manage.
Stressing that the current difficulty will birth a better tomorrow, Tinubu said the palliatives being rolled out by the federal government would soon cushion the effect of the hardship being felt by Nigerians nationwide.
Former Head of State Yakubu Gowon who chaired the occasion described Clark as a foremost Nigerians who helped advance Nigeria’s influence across the West African subregion.
Clark served as minister of Information in the then military government led by Gowon.
Gowon, who urged younger Nigerians to read the book in order to understand the experiences of the older generation on Nigeria, said Clark became his confidant and the voice of the government, fearlessly defending the government and projecting its image.
“I found comfort in always discussing government and other issues with Clark most amicably. However, considering his strong personality, there were times that he would vehemently disagree with his colleagues commissioners and military officers and worked hard to convince them on why his own position is better than theirs and any other.
“He was helpful not only in explaining government policies and programmes but also in the effort to rebuild our unity in the country. I also found him useful in our vision of building a common identity within the West Africa sub-region. I therefore found his personality and persuasive skill an asset in visiting various West African countries to canvass the need for us to have a common sub-regional body which today is known as the Economic Community of West African States.”
The former Head of State described the book as “A very useful chronicle of what had transpired in Nigeria during his (Clark’s) lifetime of service. I am hopeful that the younger generations will be better informed on our experiences which has brought the country to what it is today, on which our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu represents the centre of our common aspirations of peace, unity and progress.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said Clark’s record of service is worthy of emulation by young Nigerians, adding that his name should be written in gold.
“Chief Clark is one of those few Nigerians whose names should be written in letters of gold. I say this not because he is my father. This book is a collection of history that will act as a useful guide to young people,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of governors elected at the event, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed said is a mentor to everyone and a leader who has nothing against anyone.
However a mild drama ensued when former Edo State Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor and reviewer of the 28-chapter book refuted a claim involving him (Osunbor) in the book.
Osunbor who commended Clark for his rich memory, said, “At times, the language is intemperate such as using the word ‘stupid on page 359.This is obviously in anger but not appropriate in a book. The most serious shortcoming is the author’s copious reproduction, reference to and reliance on the statements and opinions of other people many of which may be unreliable and unverifiable.
“An example of this is at page 559 where he quotes in extenso excerpts from Mallam El-Rufai’s book “The Accidental Public servant. In the relevant portion, the author refers to a discussion at Aso Villa between President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Ken Namani and others as they mulled the idea of stopping live television broadcast of the Senate debate of the Third Term. Chief Tony Anenih is quoted to have said that he will get Professor Osunbor to move the motion.”
Clark was quoted as following, “The following day, we learnt that Professor Osunbor went to the clerk of the Senate and asked that a motion be raised of urgent national importance, with no topic. This allowed – any senator can move to table a motion of urgent national importance” with no further detail. The clerk put the motion in the order paper. On the appointed day, Professor Osunbor fell miraculously ill and had to be admitted to hospital, so there was nobody to raise the motion”.
According to Osunbor, “This is pure fiction and fallacious. First, it is the prerogative of the President of senate to decide whether to allow a motion of urgent national importance and if satisfied, would direct the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business to put it on the Order Paper.
“The Clerk of the Senate has nothing to do with it. At any rate, a motion on the modality of Senate debate will be a matter of privilege which can be raised by any Senator without notice at anytime and once the relevant Order has been invoked, it cannot be refused and must be allowed by the Senate-President, much less the Clerk of Senate.
“At no time have I fallen miraculously ill and from 1999 when I entered Senate till date, I have never been admitted to any hospital. Importing such falsehoods into a book diminishes its quality.”
