Sustaining the Legacy... National Programmes of Commemoration in honour of Shehu Musa1999 - 2009 Yar’Adua We take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to our esteemed Vice Chairman, H.E. Atiku Abubakar, Turaki Adamawa, whose commitment to honouring the legacy of Shehu Yar’Adua remains unsurpassed. Within weeks of late Tafida’s passing, he assumed responsibility for ensuring that the ideals Shehu lived and died for were not in vain. This resulted in the establishment of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, construction of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre and development of the Foundation’s programmes and projects. His immeasurable love for late Tafida and devotion to his memory endures through his determination to continue to build bridges of understanding across the nation in order to strengthen and sustain democracy in Nigeria. As he said in a tribute to late Tafida at the 3rd Programme of Commemoration, “It seems like only yesterday that the devastating news of his death was broken to us and we slowly began to grapple with the question of what our lives would be without him. Fortunately, we discovered that the void he left is compensated in part by the inspiration his life provides. He was never intimidated or overwhelmed by challenges. He was a fantastic listener and a strong believer in dialogue. It is our duty to continue to consolidate the democratic structures late Tafida fought and died for.” May Almighty God continue to reward Atiku Abubakar abundantly for his large heart and unwavering support. National Programmes of Commemoration in honour of Shehu Musa1999 - 2009 Yar’Adua National Programmes of Commemoration - 1999 to 2009 1 Introduction Our first annual programme held at Arewa I am delighted to House in Kaduna on March 6, 1999, little present this collection of more than one year after the incredible loss of one of Nigeria’s extraordinary leaders. Late speeches and photographs Tafida’s death in prison on December 8, 1997 compiled from the at the hands of an unjust military ruler was devastating to his family, friends and colleagues Foundation’s Programmes but made them determined to establish a of Commemoration in fitting memorial to pay homage to his legacy of service and sacrifice on behalf of the nation. honour of late Shehu From 1999 to 2009, the Yar’Adua Centre hosted Musa Yar’Adua. distinguished personalities from around the globe who served as Special Guest of Honour at our Programmes of Commemoration. President Nelson Mandela of South Africa graced the Foundation’s launching in 2000; President John Kufour of Ghana presided over the Centre’s Commissioning in 2002; Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto delivered an insightful lecture at the opening of the Centre’s library in 2003. President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique presented a thought provoking address at the launching of the official biography of late Tafida in 2005. Subsequent guests of honour included President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Dr. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, and Former Jacqueline W. Farris President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania. Dr. Director General, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation Jonathan Fanton, President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation addressed the gathering on, “Full and Free Development: The Case for Higher Education in Nigeria”. After 10 years of a most successful programme, board members elected to establish an annual Memorial Lecture Series to take the place of the Programme of Commemoration. Rather 2 Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation than an international focus, the Memorial Yar’Adua Merit Scholars continue to perform Lecture Series features guest speakers who will beyond our expectation. Our first six attest to late Tafida’s strength of character, his graduates have gained admission to university; vision for the nation and how his legacy might Mustapha Gidado was awarded The President’s continue to inspire solutions to challenges Scholarship by American University Nigeria, facing the country today. Yola to study petrochemical engineering. We want to express the Foundation’s The Foundation was also instrumental in sincere appreciation for the support and establishing a partnership between the Tulsi encouragement we have received over the Chanrai Foundation (TCF) and Katsina State years from so many friends and well wishers. Government for the provision of free eye care The work of the Foundation continues to bear service in the state. The Katsina Eye Centre fruit and the Yar’Adua Centre is thriving as a estimates that 3,000 eye surgeries will be conference facility, research library, exhibition performed each year. hall and programme implementer. As we look forward to 2012, we anticipate The Foundation’s Public Policy Initiative was a productive year, fully engaged with our inaugurated last year with a flagship project to partners and supporters to address challenges, publish an analysis of Nigeria’s achievements foster hope and serve people. as a global citizen since independence. The work addressed the nation’s promotion of Thank you so much and may God continue to peace, freedom, democracy and development bless Nigeria. globally and on the African Continent; whether our foreign investment has been constructive Sincerely, and at what cost to our own development. Presentation of the book coincided with Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary. Two additional projects included a Jacqueline W. Farris Roundtable Discussion, “Promoting Two Director General Way Communication Between INEC and Its Stakeholders” and the establishment of a Social Media Tracking Centre to explore how social media platforms worked during the 2011 election period. National Programmes of Commemoration - 1999 to 2009 3 Contents 1st Commemoration 7 6th Commemoration: 59 March 6, 1999 Biography Presentation March 6, 2004 • Welcome Address by Asiya Shehu Yar’Adua • A Patriot Lived by Aisha Umar Yusuf • Welcome by H.E. Atiku Abubakar • Message from H.E. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua • Tribute by H.E. Bola Tinubu • Tribute by Ambassador Andrew Young • Address by H.E. Joaquim Chissano • Address by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo • Biography Review by Professor Attahiru Jega • Tribute by H.E. General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd.) 7th Commemoration: 73 2nd Commemoration: 18 Conference on Electoral Reform Foundation Launching March 17, 2005 March 4, 2000 • Welcome by H.E. Atiku Abubakar • Tribute by H.E. Atiku Abubakar • Tribute by Honourable Aminu Bello Masari • Remarks by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo • Lecture by Professor Peter Lewis, • Address by President Nelson Mandela American University • Tribute by Kola Abiola (Ground Breaking Ceremony) • Lecture by Dr. Robert Pastor, American University • Address by Ambassador Princeton N. Lyman 3rd Commemoration: • Electoral Reform: Conference Report by Tafida, A Drama Presentation 27 Professor Attahiru Jega April 7, 2001 • Electoral Reform: Building Confidence for Our Future • Tribute by H.E. General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.) • Remarks by H.E. Atiku Abubakar 8th Commemoration 99 • Speech by Dr. Ahmad Mohammed Ali, March 4, 2006 President of Islamic Dev. Bank • Remarks by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo • Welcome by H.E. Atiku Abubakar • Video Interview with Dr. Chuba Okadigbo • Welcome by Hajia Binta Yar’Adua • Address by H.E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf 4th Commemoration: 39 • Remarks by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo Yar’Adua Centre Commissioning March 9, 2002 9th Commemoration 106 March 15, 2008 • Welcome by H.E. Atiku Abubakar • Congratulatory Message by • Welcome by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo H.E. President Nelson Mandela • Tribute by H.E. Atiku Abubakar • Tribute by H.E. Alhaji Shehu Shagari • Address by H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda • Address by H.E. John Kufuor • Remarks by H.E. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua • Remarks by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo • Vote of Thanks by Buhari Yar’Adua 5th Commemoration: 10th Commemoration 116 Olusegun Obasanjo Library Commissioning 49 March 7, 2009 March 8, 2003 • Address by H.E. Benjamin Mkapa, • Remarks by H.E. Atiku Abubakar Former President of Tanzania • Tribute by Chief Babalola Borisade • Address by Jonathan Fanton, • Address by H.E. Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto President, MacArthur Foundation • Remarks by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo • Address by H.E. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua 4 Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Born in Katsina on March 5, 1943 to the late Federal Minister for Establishment, Nigerian- Mutawallin Katsina, Mallam Musa Yar’Adua, isation and Training and later as Minister for young Shehu was greatly influenced by his Lagos Affairs. father’s own spirituality, strength of character and capacity for leadership. A member of Shehu Yar’Adua was educated at Katsina the Katsina Emirate Council, Musa Yar’Adua Provincial Secondary School and the Royal was one of the leading lights of Nigerian Military Academy, Sandhurst, U.K. He returned political development and a pillar of political from Sandhurst in 1964 as a young Second wisdom. During the First Republic he served Lieutenant not long before the Civil War began. as a Member of the House of Representatives, Major Yar’Adua’s capture of Onitsha in 1967 is National Programmes of Commemoration - 1999 to 2009 5 regarded as a decisive battle leading to the end Shehu Yar’Adua was a gifted politician. His of the bloody conflict that consumed millions of grassroots politics was a first for the nation. Devoid lives. of ethnic bias and religious or regional sentiment, his organization dominated the political landscape The Civil War had a tremendous impact on Shehu of the country, breaking what he dubbed the Yar’Adua. Disheartened by the devastation he “siege mentality” which had dogged Nigerian witnessed, he recognized the futility of disunity politics since 1914. based on ethnicity, region or religion. He understood that a united Nigeria was prerequisite His aspiration for the SDP Presidential ticket for the nation’s growth and development. was inspired by a desire to give the nation the committed and responsible leadership the Shehu Yar’Adua was appointed Federal country so desperately desired and deserved.