Professor Eddie Oparaoji and Dr. Sarah Jubril
A one-time, and first woman to join the presidential team of contenders for the plum office of Nigerian Presidency, Sarah Jubril, enjoins citizens to pray for wisdom to understand the content of the National Anthem as well as the codes of office as leaders and the led. She made this call at the maiden Courageous Citizens Award organized by Nigerian-American Coalition of Justice and Democracy, NACJD, which took place recently in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, where she was chairperson of the occasion.
According to her, excellence comes when people abide with the principles and standards of doing what they are assigned or chose to do. To this effect, Dr. Sarah Jubril enjoins Nigerians, to ask God to help us understand the content of our National Anthem, to guide our leaders and citizens alike on their respective oath of office and oath of allegiance.
On the Nigerian religious perceptions, the Octogenarian implores citizens to read; Islamise and Christianise Nigeria, a book written by Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, The Waziri of Katsina which was sponsored by The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni.
Lady Florence Egbuchulam (also from the USA) and Aisha Yesufu
According to her, the book among other things clearly establishes the closeness and similarities between Islam and Christianity in laws, rules, and regulations, on social, economic, administrative and other worldly affairs and how to conduct these affairs peacefully and harmoniously.
She however congratulated the organisers of the Award for allowing themselves to be guided by ethics to be able to fish out those who merit the Awards as she calls on all to be guided by ethics of their different calling.
On his part the chairman, convener and visioner of NACJD, who came from the USA for the event, Professor Edward Oparaoji in his welcome address gave the reasons for the award.
According to the Professor, we are here to honour true heroes of our society – ordinary citizens who have demonstrated extraordinary courage and achieved remarkable feats, even in the face of grave danger and risk to their lives.
While congratulating the Awardees, Professor Eddie told them that their resilience and unwavering determination is an indication that Change is Possible and that everyone has the propensity to make a difference.
Speaking further, the NACJD Chairman maintains that: Together, we stand united in our mission to create a world where justice, equity and human rights are upheld calling on the nation to reflect on the immense impact the awardees have made so that their actions may serve as constant reminder of the power of the human spirit.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, HE Peter Obi represented by Mr. I. Valentine, described the initiative to honour the ordinary citizens as a remarkable one though coated with mix feelings when you actually juxtapose it with what the ordinary citizens go through in the society. He reiterated that 2023 gave Nigerians hope that indeed a new Nigeria is possible as stereotypes were shattered, religious and ethnic lines of choices, were also shattered among other biases making the 2023 experience, a united Nigerian project as the people collectively stood for what was right.
While admitting that Peter Obi made this possible, he regretted some of the victims of 2023 who made supreme sacrifices with their lives as he calls on Nigerian citizens to be true citizens who make things happen and should demonstrate that come 2027 when the nation will be having its next elections. Some of the beneficiaries of the Award include: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, HE Peter Obi, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Her Excellency Nnenna Oti, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Charley Boy, Kanayo O. Kanayo, David Hundeyin, Sarkin Dariya, Aisha Yesufu among others. In all, there were 58 recipients of the 3-categories Awards: Courageous Citizens Order of Distinction, Courageous Citizens Order of Freedom and Courageous Citizens Medal of Valor.
