Irukwu celebrates Nigeria with a book, at age 80

The 391-page book was presented to the public, penultimate Tuesday, at the Shehu Yar’ Ádua Centre, Abuja. The book, written in honour of founding fathers of modern Nigeria and several others, who placed collective national interest above personal, ethnic and sectional considerations, and whose lives have raised the stature of the country above the tragic […]

The 391-page book was presented to the public, penultimate Tuesday, at the Shehu Yar’ Ádua Centre, Abuja.
The book, written in honour of founding fathers of modern Nigeria and several others, who placed collective national interest above personal, ethnic and sectional considerations, and whose lives have raised the stature of the country above the tragic image of perverts, ethnic conflicts, political instability and corrupt leadership, was dedicated to the peace, unity, progress and prosperity of Nigeria during the next 100 years.
The book is segmented into four parts, comprising 22 chapters, looks at Nigeria’s historical background from the early history to its return to democracy, and in the second part highlights some of the impediments to nation building.
The third part is titled ‘Repairing the Damages and Healing The Wounds: Reconciliation, Transformation and Patriotism’ while part four recommends a roadmap for the future, based on restructuring the polity, family, national development and reformation, as well as complete national reconciliation.
The event which attracted dignitaries from across the country, including Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, chairman, south-east and Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze C. I. Ilomuanya, former minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili, retired Generals T.Y Danjuma (rtd), Ike Nwachukwu and Azubuike Ihejirika, as well as former minister of power, Dr. Barth Nnaji among others, was chaired by the Catholic bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Mathew Hassan Kukah, who also wrote the foreword of the book.
Kukah stated that Nigeria needed thinkers and must desist from unfortunate cynicism between the academy community and the political class as he admonished Nigerians not to fall victim to the exigencies of the moment, nor be dragged down by the so-called debate about stomach infrastructure.
He said it was regrettable that the much clamoured transformation agenda has only focused on what the government is doing or what it plans to do without giving citizens a voice or space.
“It is time for Nigeria to turn around. Unclear as the President’s transformation agenda may be, there is need for us to build on the note that things must change as a matter of urgency,” the cleric said.
“There is need to totally change our narrative. We must move away from caricaturing our nation and use our imagination to dream of a new nation. This is a war we can and must win,” he added.
Speaking about the Boko Haram insurgency, Kukah said he believed that the sect’s present occupation of the heart of the nation and its insistence on destroying the people is evidence of the criminal laxity and the consequences of leaving the country’s doors open.
 “We must seek to construct our identity and tell our stories as we believe. For too long, we have been defined by others and over time, we have bought into this characterisation of the Nigerian as a villain and our country as a chaotic edifice tottering on the brink of disaster,” the Catholic bishop said.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan and was also the special guest of honour, described the author as a man of great and sound mind.
Referring to him as one of the nation’s social crusaders, whose patriotic gesture towards the country was worthy of emulation, a mentor and great inspiration, Anyim said: “He is like a father to me. He is my mentor and he inspired me greatly as a young man. I can say that I’ve learnt a lot from him.”
Anyim added that: “It was difficult for us to know that he is also a lawyer because we knew him as an insurance expert.  But his works spoke for him as a social crusader, lawyer, insurance expert and a patriotic Nigerian.  To dedicate the book to Nigeria at 100 is patriotic and a gesture worthy of emulation.”
Irukwu said he began working on the book five years ago but insisted it would only be unveiled to the public on his 80th birthday if he lived that long and thanked God that he lived to actualise his dream.
He said: “The book is about Nigeria from 1914 when the Northern and Southern Protectorates were brought together as a nation – the history, strength and weakness of the country and what must be done to enable it survive as a modern African nation.”
He implored Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions to avail themselves of the book as it contains valuable information about the country.
“Every Nigerian, especially the leadership elite should read it from cover to cover. It is like a conversation with your brother who loves you,” the author said.
“This book was written as my gratitude to God and to Nigeria for making it possible for me to reach this age of 80 years in relative good health and with all my key faculties still intact,” he added.
“God has been good to me, and Nigeria has given me an excellent opportunity to express myself and to practice my profession as my own contribution to national development,” Irukwu said.
Urging leaders on all levels to be more selfless and lead by good example aimed at making the society better, he said: “There is merit in the concept of enlightened self-interest. The country needs peace, unity and security to achieve progress and development.”
He urged all to remember that justice for all is the best insurance for a peaceful and healthy nation. The event climaxed with the unveiling of the book by members of the high table led by General Danjuma. Meanwhile, former spokesman to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, Mr. Segun Adeniyi was book reviewer.