Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari
By Mohammed Aminu
Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari, Sunday decried the importance Nigerians place on bad people at the expense of talented individuals, who are being neglected.
Shagari made the remarks at a dinner organised by the state government for Mallam Jelani Aliyu, who is an indigene of the state and the senior creative designer for General Motors, in the United States of America (USA).
According to him, it is only in Nigeria that bad people are bestowed with prestigious awards and celebrated by people.
He noted with dismay that talented individuals were being neglected while bad people duly recognised by the government.
“It is only in Nigeria that bad people are celebrated while talented people are neglected by government and this is a source of concern,” he said.
He noted that Jelani made Nigeria proud by his tremendous achievements in the United States, especially as the team leader for the design of Chevrolet Volt car.
The deputy governor pointed out that as a Nigerian in the Diaspora Jelani has distinguished himself as one of the best car designers in the world.
Shagari stressed that Jelani was able to achieve such lofty goals, as a result of hard work, determination and honesty.
“Jelani’s elevation as a top car designer for General Motors is a manifestation of positive thinking and the power of dreams.”
“As an indigene of Sokoto, Jelani has made Nigeria proud. I believe we have such talents in abundance in the country but what matters is our ability to fish them out and give them the opportunity to excel,” Shagari averred.
He called on the Federal Government to always give awards to talented persons that have distinguished themselves in their field of endeavour.
In a remark, Jelani thanked the Federal Government for bestowing him with a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) award.
He expressed gratitude to the state government for the dinner, saying the award is for the people of Sokoto State.
“Words can never truly express my happiness. I am grateful to government and this award belongs to the people of Sokoto State,” he said.