BEING THE SPEECH DELIVERED BY MODIBBO YAKUBUN FARAKWAI, THE PRESIDENT OF TEAM NEW NIGERIA (TNN) AT A SPECIAL VISIT TO GENERAL IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA, GCFR FORMER MILITARY PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA IN MINNA, NIGER STATE.
Monday, 18th October, 2021.
Protocol
Introduction
General Sir, in front of you, is a group of patriots that are for Nigeria and are ready to sacrifice all we have for the only country we have. The message we carry and the banner we uphold are the same as those you held when you were our age. Yours was to affirm, pledge, and swear to lay your life for the country you call your own. Undoubtedly, nature has provided you with all the opportunities to prove this. You have fought in the civil war; you have led the Nigerian Army and you have served as the President and Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You are indeed a statesman!
On behalf of the leadership and membership of Team New Nigeria (TNN) across the length and breadth of Nigeria, I thank you very much for granting us audience, despite your tight schedules. This is an indication of your continued commitment to the cause of a Nigeria that works for all of us. Please, be rest assured that the Nigeria you dream of is to be actualized by the team in front of you – certainly!
General, permit me to briefly introduce the TNN to you. The TNN idea was conceived by undiluted patriotism towards our fatherland Nigeria. We here in front of you, share with you and with all well-meaning Nigerians out there the belief in the unity of an egalitarian, prosperous, and glorious Nigeria that works for all of us. We believe in the power of our diversity, rich culture, and number, as the most populous black nation on earth. Hence, the formation of the TNN was informed by our vision for a Great Nigeria. In the same vein, the TNN seeks to promote and sustain genuine democratic values, equality, diversity and inclusiveness, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable community development by engaging and supporting young men and women through education, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance skills, amongst others. That our mission and vision be effectively realised, we set for ourselves the following enabling objectives:
- promote the culture of unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence in our society
- oppose resolutely tribalism, religious and cultural intolerance, etc.
- promote equality, diversity, inclusivity and support the vulnerable and the disabled persons
- promote education, skills-acquisition, entrepreneurship and self-reliance
- promote citizenship and democratic values
- promote young persons and women’s participation in community development activities
- promote anti-corruption, anti-drugs and anti-examination malpractice values.
In pursuance of these objectives, we have already established administrative structure across the Six (6) Geo-Political Zones, the Thirty-Six (36) states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Seven Hundred and Seventy-Four (774) Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Nigeria. Amongst us are well-meaning Nigerians from all walks of life, from all professions and from all tribes and religions. Our binding forces are brotherhood, humanity, patriotism and the love for a greater Nigeria. Sirr, our composition here is evidence of who we are and what we represent – A true Great Nigeria.
We are therefore relaxed and sanguine that we are at home here in Minna to consolidate of the final phase of our adventure of setting up the foundation of a New Nigeria. Our commitment to achieving the same must not be doubted, as we are ready to explore every valid, lawful, democratic and political avenue that will enable us to achieve our lofty ideas.
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
General Sir, you have served your nation wonderfully and impeccably. As an officer, you have demonstrated talent, dedication and loyalty. As you grew through the service, you have excelled in the tri-dimension of the military – viz, command, staff and training. These have facilitated your growth and later the nation has benefited immensely from your abilities. Your legacies are all over for us all to see and history will always remember you as one of the only few that loved their fatherland and served diligently.
When you assume the saddle of leadership of this nation, you have demonstrated a strong will to take the country further. There is evident development of social infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools.
Sir, it is just sad that most Nigerians tend to be not so very good in history. Recently, there have been a few outcries about reconstruction. This sentiment is just but a re-echo of continued not-so-good governance and growth. You have already set the baseline for the restructuring; you have demonstrated that you are a great federal man. The proper dispensing of federalism is a key enabler of self-reliance and self-actualisation among our diverse settings. You have created more states during your time. These include
– Akwa-Ibom and Katsina in the first instance. You followed these with Abia, Yobe, Taraba, Adamawa, etc.
Today, these contributions that you made to your fatherland are evident and their impact on millions of Nigerians is invaluable. Thank You so much, sir.
In terms of commitment to democracy, your transition programme and the process of transfer of power from the military to the civilians is a history of its own. Overall, you have kept your promises and you left at the appointed time. In a democracy, it is lawful for citizens to hold a view on issues and are free to profess those, we are not here to take sides, but we know and believe that you have done your best for your fatherland. well-done. General Sir, you will agree with me that you are one of the Nigerians whose patriotism saved Nigeria from disintegration and kept the nation bound together in unity.
Today, it is however sad that some of the partisan stakeholders of the Nigerian democracy, appeared not to be so dedicated to a peaceful, liberal and unified Nigeria that we will all call our own. The recent escalation from the political and non-political fronts are not good for a Nigerian of our dream and the dreams of our forefathers. Some elements enjoy ranting and expressing views that are injurious to nationhood. Genaral, you will agree with me that these attempts must be rejected lawfully and democratically. This is where a strong, effective and ideology-based party politics must be embraced by all well-meaning Nigerians. Party politics must not be left to those who belong to the casual definition of Nigerian ‘politician’. There is need for people, whatever their professions are to join party politics. There is currently a popular view that the existing political parties are heading towards failing in the promises they made to Nigerians during campaigns – This is akin to failing the nation.
General, permit me to request your blessing as we make a leap into an adventure of politics. You have the base, the network and the potential to influence other stakeholders to listen to the voice of reason expressed by the TNN. Please charge the youth to listen to us, the young people are the nation’s capital in the complete sphere of political and economic activities. Note that, the majority of Nigeria’s young people are energetic, and their energy must be kept up, harnessed and be provided with direction in the preparation of undertaking serious and challenging tasks of nation-building, economic development and leadership.
In conclusion, General, the TNN has lined up a number of activities for which we will sincerely appreciate your involvement. TNN is set to publish its maiden Book titled, ‘Words of Our Leaders, Ideas of Our Nation’, and we would like to on behalf of Nigerians invite you as a Special Guest of Honour at the formal launching of the book.
Thank You.
Long live Team New Nigeria
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Modibbo Yakubun Farakwai President, TNN.