Thoughts and vision of His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 – 2007 in published in a book titled: Thoughts of Atiku Abubakar by Probe Communications Ltd a revered firm of government and Public Relations Advisors.
The publication is divided into three main chapters, His selected speeches, the interviews granted and the presentation he made in seminars, conferences and lectures delivered.
In this book, you can read about his passionate for cohesion, integrated, transformed and economically visible Nigeria that creates opportunities for all citizens, closing the wide inequally gap and uplifting from poverty to prosperity.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was born on 25th November, 1946 is a dogged, season and experienced Nigerian politician who has been relevant in the social political space for over three decades in the country. In 1991, he contested the gubernatorial position in the then Gongola State (now Adamawa and Taraba States) but still remained a close associate of Shehu Umar Musa Yar'Adua.
In 1993 Atiku contested for President under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), but lost to Chief M.K.O Abiola (Late) who was the flag bearer for the party in the annulled June 12, 1993 elections.
Aliku emerged the key driver of the Peoples Democratic Movement that joined other political movements to form the Peoples Democratic Party in l998. He contested and won the gubernatorial elections in Adamawa State, but was tapped to serve under President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Vice- President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As Vice-President he was the Chairman of the National Council of Privatization and played an instrumental role in the Privatization process of the Telecommunications Industry, which has been described as one of the best economic decisions of the Obasanjo administration.
With his wealth of knowledge and understanding of business, Atiku carried out other pro-business reforms of the Obasanjo adminisiration, which saw Nigeria's economy experiencing a turnaround attracting key investments from the western nations.
The former Vice-President has business interests like Intels (Maritime and Oil servicing) and Adama Beverages Limited. Despite the narrative and allegations that he is a corrupt politician and businessman, there has been no proof or criminal conviction from a court of competent jurisprudence in the country.
He is also the founder of one of the best private Universities in Nigeria, the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa State which is raising world-class leaders.
The Waziri Adamawa believes he has the vast experience from the public and private sector, to lead Nigeria to economic prosperity and national cohesion. He is a strong believer in the clamour for restructuring.
The vision of Alhaji Aiiku Abubakar for Nigeria on Restructuring of Nigeria at his epoch making lecture delivered at the Chatham House London titled “The Importance of Strengthening State Economic Management System”
“Let us not be afraid of states controlling their resources since even state has one resources or the other as they will pay tax to the federal; restructuring will make states to harness resources in their areas.
“With restructuring, states would he allowed to create LGAs they can manage based on the resources available,” The Waziri Adamawa who said he started advocating for restructuring since 2006, when he was the vice president, added: “Restructuring offers a brighter future for this country, as it will take away power from few elite to Nigerians. Restructuring will guarantee equity and justice in the control and management of people's resources,” According to him, sharing of oil money had made the country's leaders not to give diversifying of economy the required attention it deserved.
“What we have forgotten is that the era of oil economy is gradually phasing out as major investment in world economy is on alternative energy. For instance, the government of France said selling of oil in the country will be illegal in 2040.” The book also touched on some relevant issues affecting the country. And promise to solve some of these problems if he is elected as the President of the country in 2019. He promised the Restructuring of the country after his six months in office. Restructuring will keep the country to move forward as it will make people to be creative and manage resources in their areas judiciously. The Former Vice President added that, he would ensure that citizens can track their leaders and also hold them accountable and that; this would go a long way in solving the issue of the Federal Government.
He added that he would enhance service delivery in major areas like health, education and others: “Beyond institutional and administrative reforms to improve operational efficiency of the revenue agencies, the federating units will be challenged to double their efforts in rebuilding the fiscal-social contract, by enhancing service delivery m key areas such as health, education, water supply and infrastructural development “Only this would change the predominant perception that gin eminent revenues are diverted to the private bank accounts of politicians and their cronies.”
The Book is a reader delight which I recommend for everybody.
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