By:- Martins Isaac
John Paul II Centre, University of Ibadan received the presence of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Lamido Sanusi II, CON and Emir of Kano courtesy of the Sigma Club to its 2018 Sigma Guest Luncheon.
Consequent of his induction, the Emir delivered a speech on the state of Nigeria’s economy and the way out of its quagmire. In his analysis and pressing on the need to look away from Oil as the major source of revenue, he emphasized that “we are not an oil rich country, but we are a country rich in human resources….” According to him in his calculations, “we produce 2million barrels of Oil with a population of 200million. With one barrel, for every 100 Nigerians. One barrel for Education, for Health, for Security, for Power, for Agriculture.” He concluded by lamenting that one barrel can never take care of the needs of a hundred Nigerians. Thus, we cannot be said to be oil rich. He stressed rich countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong (China), Singapore who are not rich in Palm oil, Diamond and Gold but yet have learnt of the values of human beings.
As extracted from a fellow reporter, Mr Adeyemi Ayeku, the Emir considered it a great honour to have been conferred an honorary Sigma title and promised to be loyal to the Club. He lamented the state of the Country Nigeria, vis a vis other States that are now glooming in prosperity, but were not so in the 1960s and 1970s. According to him, “in 1960, the United States advisory was that investors should come to Nigeria and not Japan because Nigeria had better prospect. In 1960, the per capital income in Nigeria was higher than the per capital income in South Korea and in China…. In 1974, China had only 8 million University graduates. Today, China has more than 300 million graduates, more than the entire population of the United States of America.” He challenged everyone to revive their sense of what is important, and be united in the course to the end that Nigeria becomes great as envisaged during our independence.
Notably, the Emir who was pictured to have arrived over an hour to the time slated for the event was inducted as the 49th Honorary Sigmite following in the footsteps of his predecessor, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ado Bayero, CFR, LL.D (Hons) who was inducted in 1977.
The event event which began at exactly 1:20pm, ten minutes after the arrival of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka and ended at around 4:30pm started with the National Anthem, followed by the Sigma Anthem.
In his speech, the Sigma Chief, Igbonekwu Valentine stressed that Sigma Club has “evolved dynamically over the past 68 years as a unique and enviable club of gentlemen that instills higher degree of good character, integrity and discipline in its members.” Sigma Club, according to him has witnessed the graduation of over 1000 Old Sigmites from inception to date. He enlightened further the purpose of the Sigma Guest Luncheon which provides “eminent Nigerians who were not privileged to have passed through the premier University of Ibadan or through the Club but are men of verifiable accomplishments and have impacted distinctively in the society and have distinguished themselves in different fields of human endeavour” to be inducted into the “highly coveted, prestigious, noble and revered Sigma Roll of Honor as Honorary Sigmite.
Furthermore in his speech, the Sigma Chief described His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Lamido Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano as “a noble Nigerian, a knight of excellence, a kingdom of exemplary leadership, an astute economist, a lover of humanity, an uncommon philanthropist, a definition of Royalty, a fountain of greatness and a first class Emir.” The Emir was recognized for his “invaluable contributions to the banking industry, his memorable and valuable impacts on the Nigerian Economy through sterling policies and reforms during his tenure as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as his exceptional leadership qualities and administrative skills with which he administers the Emirate of Kano.”
The special occasion was graced with eminent personalities such as the Vice Chancellor of the University as earlier stated, representatives of the Alaafin and Olubadan as well as ‘deserving sigmites’ in persons of Chief Francis Oluwole Kudayah(Founder/Chairman, Michael Stephen’s and Associates) and Dr. MkGeorge Okon Onyung(CEO, JEVKON Oil and Gas Limited) who were conferred with Sigma Merit Awards.
The Sigma Guest Luncheon was the marking of the official celebration of the 68th Anniversary of Sigma Club, University of Ibadan. The grand ceremony ended with much fun fare, pictures and much more to eat and drink.
Not to forget is the Sigma House (of 100rooms) which will comprise amongst other things Banking hall, Cinemas, Bars, Canteens, Kitchen, Gym, Swimming pool et cetera
