Paul Obi in Abuja
The Nigerian Army, former Cross River State Governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke, former Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Oronsaye and former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Fola Adeola, Mr. Segun Adeniyi and others saturday paid glowing tributes to late Brig.-General Solomon Giwa-Amu, former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukuk Buratai, represented by the Chief of Civil Military Relations, Major General Nuhu Angbanso stressed that “the Nigerian Army will continue to appreciate late Giwa-Amu for the services he rendered to the Army and the nation at large.â€
Angbazo added that “the Nigerian Army looks forward to working with the Solomon Giwa-Amu Foundation for greater collaboration in the area of skill acquisition.â€
Imoke, who chaired the 10th Anniversary of Solomon Giwa Amu at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, described the late ADC to ex-President Obasanjo as compassionate, generous, discipline and down to heart, saying the late ADC gave his best to his fatherland.
He also lauded the resilient of the family, particularly his wife, Dr. Judith Giwa Amu and friends for putting together series of events in memory of the late ADC as packaged by the Solomon Giwa-Amu Foundation.
Former Managing Director of GTB, Adeola said Solomon Giwa-Amu as a friend and brother was a man of integrity, highly disciplined, professional in his calling and generous.
Adeola, who cited instances of his encounter with the late Brigadier General said Nigerian youths have a lot to learn about him, stressing that the country as well would continue to require people like him in position of power and authority especially for his gift to use leadership position for common good.
Adeola said: “The challenge of the present generation of Nigerians is that many are looking for jobs; and of those who have, majority of them are dissatisfied. Fewer still are searching for career by which they intend to climb up the ladder.
“But the pertinent question is: How many of them take it to the next level by helping to right the wrongs of society and serving as true change agents?
“As we reflect on the state of our nation and the role of individuals, the message here is simple: It is good to have a job or career but good societies are built by people with a calling. There was no doubt Solo found his purpose wherever he was and made the most of the resources that life gave him at the time.
“That was because he treated every assignment as a calling and he left lasting legacies for which he would forever be remembered.
“The question most frequently asked is: How do we instill order and engender integrity in our society? The answer is simple: It starts with us as individuals and in our homes with our families. And it all boils down to discipline which is an act of imposing will over feelings, emotions, convenience.
“When you choose to do what is right, over what feels good, easy or convenient. It is not easy, but it is doable. Solo did it.
“We hear the word integrity so much in our society that it has lost its meaning. Almost every corporate organisation’s core values use the word integrity. Yet that does not stop them from bending the rules to make a profit. With Solo, he was undivided in his principles. He was honest, he was fair and he was disciplined. He was truly a man of integrity.
“Everyone always says this, we travel abroad, we can stand in a queue, we can wait our turn. People out there are not more patient than Nigerians; they have to behave because they are well aware that there are consequences for breaking the rule.
“Unfortunately, on our shores, the pact between the State and Society has been broken – there is mutual distrust. For this country to truly transition from developing to leading, we need our leaders to be like Solo or put in another way, we need more people like Solo in leadership positionsâ€, he added.
Other professional colleagues and friends of the late ADC also lauded the late Giwa-Amu for his contributions to the society and nation
In her remarks, Mrs. Judith Solomon Giwa-Amu commended the committee of friend for standing by the family, saying she would remain eternally grateful for their support, prayers and calls which have helped in no small measure to sustain the legacies of the late husband.
She added that it was “after he passed that I knew so much about him; Solomon was really gifted and this is really a sustainable gift. It is for us to take that away by what we do to impact others’ lives,†Mrs. Giwa-Amu stated.
