By Ezekiel Dontinna
The missing link in matching word and character by most Nigerian leaders, has been termed as a major setback to the maintenance of values and social cohesion.
Former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, observed this recently, while unveiling a book titled: “Without A NAME” written by a veteran journalist, writer and seasoned administrator, Nde Emmanuel Gogwim Kayi, in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The lawmaker, who was the Chairman of the occasion, commended the author of the book for identifying some life’s huddles saying, “This book offers more than its title suggests; it’s full of the author’s passion, and it offers a striking portrayal of character–something we find lacking in our leaders today in Nigeria.
“When we talk about character, it’s important to understand why letters are called ‘characters.’ They don’t change–an ‘A’ remains an ‘A,’ whether in Nigeria, Jos, Abuja, or anywhere else in the world. “Character is like that; no one should be able to separate you from your word.The moment you say one thing and do another, you lose your character. The oneness of God, works the same way; you cannot separate God from His word”, he explained.
Dogara, disclosed that he was amazed by the author’s decision as a young man then to stand with the oppressed despite the opportunities he had because when one stood with the oppressed, he should be ready to face oppression.
He, therefore, lauded Gogwim’s willingness to sacrifice even at the verge of losing his job at that time which he clearly presented in the book.
On her part, former Minister of Water Resources, Hon. Mrs. Sarah Reng Okchepe, who was the Chairlady of the occasion, said, reading gives more knowledge and confidence to be able to stand and defend what one has accomplished in life because reading is beneficial.
Represented by Plateau State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo, the former Minister said, “Here, I have seen that “WITHOUT A NAME”, is the personal story of the former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Gogwim Kayi, about life generally and about his days as a student, his days as a journalist, seeing the world or Nigeria through the eyes of an adult, and even now that he’s growing old.
“You see, he has passed through so many things in life, both the good, the bad and the ugly. So he has put that into a book. But instead of capturing only the bad part, he has as well captured the beautiful, and put it into an exhibition, into a story that we can all read and benefit”, she reiterated.
Okchepe, therefore, encouraged the young ones to drop watching films only on phones, but freely download books and read to help them do things that would benefit them or rather, read expository books that would educate and help expound their knowledge.
Speaking shortly after the book launch, the veteran journalist, Nde Emmanuel Gogwim Kayi, said, “I feel encouraged by the quality and number of people who came to participate in this presentation.
“I will never thank them enough for their presence and for adding colour to the ceremony.
“The secret lies in the book. In life, nothing is permanent. You go through experiences. Some lift you up, some bring you down. Nothing is permanent in life. It’s good to be humble. Humility should be the watchword”, he enthused.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Samson Ishaku Bugama, said, “We are particularly excited to see talents like this who have worked for the state and are retired and are looking at how they can still give value.
“Not that they have put their skills in the cooler, but they are writing history for generations to come back and read. So, we are particularly impressed and we are particularly grateful to God for such a feat that he has achieved.
“I think, the world is led by thinkers and not many people who are not thinkers, and that’s why I believe that reading is for people who are drawn to leadership.
“We believe that the emergence of leaders on the planet will find this collection important. Well, the thing is for more people to be able to put things to pen on paper. People die with so much wealth of knowledge. But when people put things out there, it’s there for generations. So we encourage more people to write and document their experience”, he implored