What inspired my autobiography – Amb. Attah
Amb. Atta, a Prince in the Ohinoyi of Ebira’s palace in Okene, Kogi State is considered one of the founders of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency. He gave an insight into what inspired him to write about his life, besides the pressure from his children and associates. “My father’s life inspired me as a child. He […]
Amb. Atta, a Prince in the Ohinoyi of Ebira’s palace in Okene, Kogi State is considered one of the founders of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency.
He gave an insight into what inspired him to write about his life, besides the pressure from his children and associates.
“My father’s life inspired me as a child. He was very fair, firm and a just man. He instilled discipline, industry and co-operation in all of us and also nurtured the spirit of caring for each other and the spirit of family regardless of the polygamous set up. We all learnt from him that recognition could only be gained from achievement. It did not matter whether you were prince or pauper,” he said.
He recounted that his “life’s journey is one that has great value for hard work and patience. From a railway worker in a hardship post in Karazau I rose to represent this great country in two highly significant countries of the world; Cuba and Canada. I rose from working with peasants in the bush to dining with presidents and world leaders.”
“These have come about by my strict observance of certain principles and values: always be patriotic, loyal and sincere to your supervisors and to your bosses and be dedicated and committed in all your pursuits,” he noted.
Largely he said he has lived a good life and feels proud of all he has accomplished.
“I was honoured to have been entrusted with certain key duties and responsibilities. I am proud to say that I was a founding member of the NIA and contributed significantly to its development.”
Reviewing the book, Mr. Clem Baiye, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief at Verity Communications Limited said the book has as its main proposition, the fact that Ambassador Abdullahi Attah’s upbringing in the palace of Alhaji Ibrahim Onoruoiza, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland was key to his success as a career civil servant and highly respected diplomat. The author dwelt at length on the values that were inculcated in him in the palace, which shaped his life and career.
“In my childhood,” he writes on page 35, “it was an abomination to hear that somebody had cheated another or stolen money. It was with nostalgia that I remember all these aspects of life in Ebiraland”.
He also submitted that Ambassador Atta’s success was boosted in no small measure by the strong family ties nurtured with and by his wife, Hajiya Amina, her home making skills and legacy.