Aminu Waziri Tambuwal: Celebrating a man of many worlds at 60, by Ayuba Ahmad
The events that marked the 60th anniversary of the birth of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, GCON, were, appropriately, the celebration of the epochal transformations and metamorphosis in the life experiences of a phenomenal personage.
Though one with a national visage and clout, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is one that is yet, ever so anchored to his cradle of Sokoto. A typical homeboy and, it was very much like him that the celebration of the landmark event of his 60th birthday took off from Sokoto.
Pertinently, the events in Sokoto demonstrated sensitivity to the culture and the prevailing socio-economic atmosphere in the community. For instance, in place of the usual pomp and pageantry, the occasion was marked somberly, with a reach-out to the needy and usually, neglected members of the society.
READ ALSO: Rhythms of the latest mass uprising in Iran, by Ayuba Ahmad
Assorted relief materials, such as food items and clothing were donated to the children at the Sokoto Orphanage Home and to persons at the Amanawa Leprosorium, Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre.
A session of recitations of the Holy Qur’an, prayers for the wellbeing of the celebrant, peace, security and prosperity of the state and entire country rounded off the version of the celebrations back home in Sokoto.
The Abuja segment of the celebrations was expectedly, a different ball game. It showcased the other world of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Held at the Transcorp Hilton, it took the shape of a birthday colloquium with the theme: LEADERSHIP, SERVICE AND STATESMANSHIP. It was a resplendent celebration befitting a man of grandeur, stature and nationwide outreach.
Cutting across partisan political, faith and regional divides, the colloquium was attended by a galaxy of the country’s elites and leadership class. The gathering consisted of former presidents, vice presidents, former leaders of the National Assembly, former governors, former and serving ministers, political party leaders, clergy men, diplomats, scholars and captains of industry.
READ ALSO: Perspectives on the USA invasion of Venezuela, abduction of President Maduro, by Ayuba Ahmad
In his presentation, former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was also chairman of the occasion, showered encomiums on Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as a man of humility, in spite of his greatness:
“One thing that I saw in you and which made me admire you greatly, is your humility. I believe that greatness in any human being that does not include humility, is greatness that is hollow. Your greatness is not hollow, because your greatness is based on humility.
“From what I have seen of you, from what I have heard of you, and from what I know of you, the sky is the limit.”
In a similar note, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan recalled that, as President, there were moments of disagreements between himself and Tambuwal as House Speaker. Yet, he said, he respected and admired Tambuwal for his high dose of leadership qualities:
“Even though we used to disagree in some areas, what I appreciated was the quality of his leadership.
READ ALSO: US Air Strikes on Sokoto: The example of statesmanship by Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, by Ayuba Ahmad
“The members of the House believed so much in him and supported him very well. It shows that he has leadership qualities that are lacking in most of us who are politicians.
“So today, what I can say is that, I wish him well and I want him to grow from strength to strength.”
Mr Peter Obi, the flag bearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election and now, a leading light in the budding ADC, similarly extolled the humility, patriotism and leadership attributes of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal:
“It is absolutely fitting that we celebrate Senator Tambuwal today, a champion of unity, dialogue, and national cohesion.
“His relentless service, serves as a powerful reminder that Nigeria’s future will not be crafted by those who sow division, but by those who foster connections and collaboration.
READ ALSO: Beyond the resignations of Ahmed Farouk, Gbenga Komolafe, by Ayuba Ahmad
“This celebration is not just a milestone but a clarion call for unity and service to our beloved nation.”
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State and a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, recalled when, barely three days after becoming the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal personally visited his home to condole him, ”then as a common worker” over the passing of his wife.
He described that gesture as “a demonstration of an uncommon act of compassion and humility.”
Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani, and Professor Aisha Madawaki spoke of Senator Aminu Waziri’s practical gender friendly postures.
While Aisha Binani extolled Tambuwal for her appointment, “even as a first time House member in 2011 to chair the House Committee on Constituency Outreach”, Professor Aisha Madawaki, former Sokoto State Commissioner for Higher Education, complimented Tambuwal for giving women, unprecedented number of significant political appointments during his tenure as Governor of Sokoto State.
The theme paper of the colloquium, “Leadership , Service and Statesmanship” was delivered by Professor Tijjani Bande on behalf of Professor Attahiru Jega, former INEC National Chairman. The paper highlighted the critical elements and imperatives of democracy, unity, inclusiveness and nation building.
In their discussion on the theme paper, Professor Pat Utomi, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Dr Usman Bugaje called for a change in the nation’s political arrangement to make for proportional representation in government in place of the present system of, “winners take all.”
In his vote of thanks, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal emphasised the important place of patriotism, altruism and collective actions by Nigerians in the ongoing efforts to salvage the country’s precarious situation.
“It is about good governance. It is not about me or merrymaking. It is about finding a pathway for our country. Where we are today is unfortunate. This is not where we expected to be.
“The only way out is for all of us to accept that something is fundamentally wrong with how we are being governed in Nigeria today.
READ ALSO: Nigeria and the failed coup d’etat in Benin Republic, by Ayuba Ahmad
“Our country is in peril and we are looking for salvation. This is a collective process. It is not about partisanship or political parties alone.”
Besides former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former President Goodluck Jonathan who virtually conveyed his goodwill message, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Muhammed Namadi Sambo, the grand event was also graced by towering figures in the nation’s leadership spectrum.
Former governors, some of who are leading opposition figures in attendance included, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Kano State Governor and immediate past APC National chairman; Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State as well as former APC National Chairman.
The list also included Chief Ibikunle Amusun and Otumba Gbenga Daniel, former governors of Ogun state; Chief Emanuel Udom, ex governor of Akwa Ibom state; Chief Rotimi Amaechi and Chief Celestine Omehia, former governors of Rivers State, as well as, former governors of Cross River State, Chief Donald Duke and Chief Lyell Imoke.
Chief David Bonaventure Mark, former President of the Senate and present National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC; three former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Mrs Patricia Maria Etteh, Aminu Bello Masari and Yakubu Dogara; the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawal Babachir and Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari were also present.
READ ALSO: Jimmy Cliff, Dan Agbese: The passing of two iconic personages of our time, by Ayuba Ahmad
Also conspicuous at the occasion were the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Hassan Mathew kukah; Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, former Minister of Transportation; Malam Lawal Batagarawa, ex minister of State, Defence and present Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
Eminent women leaders that graced the occasion included Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, who was at different times Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry and Minister of Women Affairs; Hajiya Mulikat Akande, a former majority Leader of the House of Representatives; Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani, Adamawa State APC governorship flag bearer in 2023; Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan of Kogi Central and Professor Aisha Madawaki, a renowned academic and former Sokoto State Commissioner for Higher Education.
There are very significant takeaways from the large and variegated number of eminent personalities that honoured Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at his 60th birthday celebrations.
First, it should be considered perfect to roll out the drums in the celebration of the 60th birthday of a four-term member and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, a two-term governor and presently, a serving Senator. However, what is unique about the Tambuwal’s day, is the irrefutable fact that only few people with similar milestones would pull such an amazing, divergent numbers of eminent personalities.
It simply underscored his famed attributes of integrity, probity, selflessness and unassuming carriage even, in exalted positions. This was as aptly captured by President Olusegun Obasanjo: “Your greatness is not hollow because, your greatness is based on humility.”
Beyond him, the occasion was coming at a very auspicious turn in the country’s historic trajectory towards attaining enduring democracy and nationhood. That much was highlighted in the telling words of Peter Obi: “This celebration is not just a milestone but a clarion call for unity and service to our beloved nation.”
The above view on the significance of his birthday was echoed by Aminu Waziri Tambuwal himself in his vote of thanks: “It is not about me or merrymaking… It is about good governance.”
Ayuba Ahmad is a Kaduna-based veteran journalist/public commentator.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
