Press Statement From ANCOPSS VETERANS
– We former National Executive Members of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools from 1986 to 1992 under the aegis of ANCOPSS ASSOCIATES are worthy and respected Nigerians from different states and parts of the Federation
– Most of us (all graduates and noble teachers of our time) first met at ANCOPSS in the middle 80s, and since then have been close together, one way or the other
– Malam Ibrahim Shekarau is one of us, and served two exemplary, and unprecedented non-corrupt consecutive terms as National President from 1986 to 1992
– We later formed ourselves into an Association drawing inspiration from Shekarau’s sterling leadership qualities.
– While some of us were Christians, others were Muslims, and as President, Malam Shekarau respected the belief, religion and culture of others.
– Because of our services as nation builders, very many of us have held key political, traditional and religious positions at local, state and national levels
– As senior citizens of this country, we are, therefore, disturbed at the ordeal to which Shekarau is now being subjected after giving Kano one of the unarguably most populous and volatile states in the federation, an uninterrupted two terms (8 years) peaceful and progressive governorship; and consequently want to state as follows:
1. As President of ANCOPSS for two unbroken consecutive terms, Shekarau did not at any time demonstrate any sign of religious fanatics or fundamentalism nor demonstrated any act of ethnicity. In fact at our meetings both at national executive committee meetings and national conferences, opening and closing prayers were rotated between Christians and Muslims.
2. We moved our meetings from one state to the other and from one zone to the other to discuss key national issues on education, like when the 6334 was suddenly introduced into the unprepared system. Then Shekarau led us, as practitioners of education, to examine, proffer solutions and forward recommendation to the govt. for successful implementation.
3. On retirement, he contested election as governor of Kano State, won and served for 8 years ( two terms) of an unbroken, peaceful and progressive period. This was widely acknowledged by great Nigerians like the Nobel Laureate and critique, Professor Wole Soyinka, and the indomitable Ikemba Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
4. On one of such occasions, he distributed to us copies of his book, My Vision, a 503-page book containing his policy thrust and philosophy, where his views, in particular on issues like Hisbah Board drawn up to assist the law enforcement agencies in intelligence gathering; the Office of the Special Adviser on Education to deal with the issues of the non-formal Almajiri education and their welfare; the Youth Development Directorate to give and train youth on self-reliant skills and trades; the Zakkat and Hubusi Commission to collect and disburse dues to orphans, widows and the less privileged in the State; the Anti Corruption and and Public Complaint Commission and many others were formulated and approved by the Kano State Assembly for use as vehicle for good governance.
5. That by faithfully pursuing a welfare policy as contained in this book, Kano State for 8 years witnessed an unbroken period of peace and progress devoid of religious uprising, intolerance and social upheavals.
6. With this performance, we were convinced, as he had earlier done at ANCOPSS national level, that he could replicate progress and peace at the national political level, and so we encouraged and supported him to seek the highest national political office in the land as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
7. We were all living witnesses that, throughout the electioneering period, his campaigns were based on issues. It is on record too, that his campaigns were violence-free. Even in the celebrated Presidential debate, he left no one in doubt that he was an intelligent gentleman, the one that could be described as the best President Nigeria did not vote for.
8. But like a good sportsman, he took his defeat with equal mind, and ever since has neither said nor done anything to warrant the treatment and name-calling to which he is being currently subjected.
9. Indeed, Malam is one rare Nigerian who should have been singled out for commendation, for not only keeping Kano, the most volatile state, peaceful and progressive for good eight years, but also offering himself to serve the nation, instead of being subjected to blackmail and witch-hunting.
10. WE THEREFORE AFFIRM THAT WE DID NOT KNOW HIM TO BE INVOLVED IN ANY MEAN OR UNPATRIOTIC OR SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES, LET ALONE FUNDING BOKO HARAM WHOSE PHILOSOPHY WAS DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO WHAT HE STANDS FOR. INDEED, WE RECOGNIZE HIM AS A DETRIBALZED, PROGRESSIVE, PEACE-LOVING NIGERIAN ENDOWED WITH GREAT EMPATHY
This is a little of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, former first two-term ANCOPSS National President, former first two-term Governor of Kano State and ANPP Presidential Candidate, for you.
Signed
Chief AA Adelakun
South West Coordinator (Ibadan)
Sir AB Amiebenomo
South South Coordinator (Benin)
Monsignor Paul Amakiri
South East Coordinator (Mbaise)
Chief SO Aboyeji
North Central Coordinator (Ilorin)
Yusuf Ibrahim
North East Coordinator (Bauchi)
AbdulLahi Yunusa
North West Coordinator (Dutse)
Bayo Alao
Ex-officio Member (Osogbo)
Deacon Abioye
Secretary (Offa)
Basorun Seinde Arogbofa PEN
National Chairman/Chief Coordinator (Akure)
February 2, 2012
