I WAS having breakfast in the 'Nigeria House' in Gaborone, Botswana with Ambassador O. C. Cocodia when Dele Agekameh called me from New Jersey, United States. I answered the phone and started to run my mouth, 'Botswana is the size of France or Texas' It is 84 per cent covered by the Kalahari (Kgalagadi) desert. With a population of less than 2 million people, Botswana is rated by the World Bank as the least corrupt country and the fastest growing economy in Africa. Compare that with Nigeria, the 32nd largest country on earth, the 10th most populous in the world, the 7th richest producer of crude oil; yet its citizens eke out a living on a meager $2 per day while its politicians systematically nibble away at the foundation of its corporate existence, leaving it thoroughly despised by serious minded nations, barely tolerated in the ranks of the mediocre but globally envied for its stupendous natural wealth''Dele interjected to say that, 'Steve you remember today is triple A's birthday. What do we do' We should jointly write a congratulatory message to celebrate Alhaji Abdusalami Abubakar, GCFR.'My first encounter with Abdusalami was at the Port Harcourt International Airport in 1999. I was Commissioner for Agriculture and had accompanied the Military Administrator, Col. Edor Obi to receive the then Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar. It was here, I believe, that he took special interest in me. He asked about my position and if I am doing well as Commissioner for Agriculture. He smiled at me knowingly, as if to acknowledge the fact that he knew I was the youngest Commissioner in Bayelsa and probably in Nigeria. That gesture endeared Abdusalami to me, and the friendship began.In 2006, when I wrote my book, 'Oil, Politics and Blood.' I requested General Abdusalami (rtd) to write the foreword. The former Head of State was magnanimous; he was gracious and he was, as I knew then and know now, a very detribalized Nigerian.A practicing Muslim, yet he accepted invitations that will compel him to be in church. His friends are of varied faith. In the foreword, he wrote, ''concerted measures have to be taken to alleviate the problems of the Niger Delta. As a former Head of State, I was faced with this problem. Even though my regime was short-lived, I was nevertheless seized with the issue of the Niger Delta. Azaiki has written a most incisive book. I personally have learnt from reading it and recommend it to the wider global readership.' General Abdusalami Abubakar is a military General but he is also deeply affectionate, sensitive and considerate to people's feelings.In 2007, when we conceived the National Think Tank, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, myself, Dele Agekameh and Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shagari debated the most qualified Nigerian at the time to be the chairman of the formal launching of National Think Tank at Shehu Musa Yar'Adua centre, Abuja. Abubakar was selected. Even till this day, I blush when I remember his remark, deliberately showing friendship and recognizing labour and patriotism. He said, 'I have accepted to be chairman because of my friendship with Steve and Dele, the effort and patriotism they have shown, and the service they have given to this country and will continue to give.' I was humbled. To us members of the National Think Tank, the General accepting to honour us as the chairman was an excellent show of patriotism and a great service to the country.American writer, Ambrose Bierce said, 'while your friends hold you affectionately by both your hands, you are safe, for you can watch both his.' Those who know Abdusalami Abubakar will agree that he does not and cannot betray friendship. I agree with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he wrote in the Nation Newspaper that, 'when the History of this country is written, Abubakar will be remembered as the one that saved our unifying institution, the Nigerian military from itself and restored democracy in our country. For this singular act of courage, generations unborn would be grateful to him.'The Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Chief Godswill Akpabio and my friend of many years, Dele Agekameh said that Nigerians would always hold Abubakar in high esteem for mentoring the current democracy. Senator David Mark, the President of the Senate, a key player in our current democracy said that Abubakar remains a reference point in the political history of our dear Nation.The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in a congratulatory message to General Abdusalami Abubakar wrote: 'There is no doubt whatsoever that over the past 70 years, you have lived a richly productive and fulfilled life. Your uncommon diligence, gallantry, loyalty, patriotism and enduring sense of committed service saw you rise not only to the pinnacle of your chosen military career, but also saw the onerous duty of political leadership of our nation thrust upon your shoulders at a critical period in Nigeria's developmental history. It is to your eternal credit that you acquitted yourself demonstrably well as Head of State and courageously mid-wifed our country's transition to civil democratic governance in May, 1999.'I believe that when our nation's history in the last 10 years and the next 40 years is written, it will be seen that the greater part of our fortune in peace, governance and democracy were shaped by this man.The 3rd President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson said, 'I have no ambition to govern men. It is a painful and thankless office.' This could be true of our Abdusalami, but he seems to say, 'I will serve humanity, not office.'True, a grateful Nation has bestowed on him the highest honour in the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR and also without coup or election the country accepted him to be Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Yet, I have highlighted his contributions, his patriotism and service to Nigeria in order to put this piece into perspective and celebrate the General and Statesman. I cannot limit his achievement and contribution only to Nigeria. He is a true and thorough General, an international diplomat, a world messenger and a man of considerable international standing.I remember that Nigerian political Mr. Fix it, Chief Tony Anenih, wrote, 'Today, Nigeria has taken her rightful place in the comity of democratic nations of the world. This is because you made it possible. I commend you for the energies you have continued to invest in the promotion of peace and good governance in and outside the country.'Since leaving office, General Abubakar (rtd) has given generously of his time and energy to serve the course of democracy, heading elections monitoring teams under the auspices of the commonwealth and the African Union. He is a much sought after broker of peace in international conflicts by the United Nations.Senator George Akume, senate minority leader, captures it succinctly when he said, 'Abdusalami Abubakar pledged to enthrone democracy and abided by it, thus, entering the pantheon of history as a man of honour, a selfless leader and quintessential patriot.'Abubakar exemplifies the kind of leadership Africa is in dire need of - courageous, truthful, patriotic, futuristic and dependable. A true leader rallies people to the future.According to Marcus Buckingham, 'leaders are fascinated by the future. You are a leader if, and only if, you are restless for change, impatient for progress, and deeply dissatisfied with the status quo.' As leader, Buckingham asserts, 'You are never satisfied with the present, because in your head you can see a better future and the friction between 'what is and what would be' burns you, stirs you up, propels you forward. This is leadership.'Today, we toast to a true friend, Muslim brother and a detribalized Nigerian. We drink to Abdusalami's health and to friendship. Happy birthday, Oga!Let me finally paraphrase the 6th President of America, American statesman, John Quincy Adams: 'His country will bear witness to his service; this nation, his birthplace, to his munificence; history to his patriotism; posterity to the depth and compass of his mind.'Fiat justitia, pereat coelom, (let justice be done, though heaven perish). My toast would be, may our country be always successful, less corrupt, see more patriotism, no more air crashes, good governance, good leadership and good followership; but above all, let the will of God be done.Prof. Azaiki, the National Coordinator, National Think Tank, sent this piece from Gaborone, Botswana.
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