Authors, friends congratulate elder statesman Bukar Usman on legacies

* Tasks Federal Government on nation-building

By Henry Akubuiro

NIGERIA’S Independence Day has always been a festive occasion celebrated annually and nationally with pomp and pageantry, particularly in government circles. But this year’s 65th anniversary celebrations were low-keyed in government circles, perhaps a reflection of the lingering difficult times. But foreign embassies in Nigeria and football clubs abroad, where Nigerian players had played or were still playing, posted pleasant memories and wished Nigerians well on their social media handles, sparking conversations on Nigeria’s abundant human resources.

Members of the literary community and book enthusiasts also used the opportunity to congratulate Dr. Bukar Usman, who meritoriously served the country as a public servant, rising to the highest level of the public service cadre as a permanent secretary in the presidency, and is still serving the country as the President, Nigerian Folklore Society, nay, a fecund author, a vibrant public intellectual, a philanthropist and one of the country’s foremost patrons of literature.

The individual and communal expressions of dissatisfaction and prayers for improvements for the country were also contained in the messages of goodwill, including their concerns for security and welfare – the two key aspects of our national aspirations and governance. They are significant pointers of high expectations in the well-being of the citizenry.

It started as an exchange between a young Nigerian, Regina U. Nwangele, and Dr. Usman, which led to a robust national debate involving intellectuals. “I thought about today being our Independence Day, and the thought of you came to mind. I have read your book on Restructuring Nigeria, and read articles you authored, and policies to be implemented so we can have a functional society, yet we are more backwards than ever. And I wonder if our politicians know the sole purpose for which they were elected. Knowing how much you want Nigeria to work and the much effort you have put into it, I want to remind you that your legacy will live on. Also, for you not to feel so sad about the state of Nigeria. You have given the nation your best and continue to do so. Happy Independence Day,” said Nwangele.

In response, Dr. Usman remarked: “May I also thank you for all the encomiums you generously showered on me. I must say that you, too, stand out in always wishing our country well from all your candid expressions verbally and in writing. Surely, your associates would attest to that. Keep up with your high degree of patriotism in ceaseless advocacy of urgency in wanting to see genuine improvement to the generality of our citizenry and humanity. We should ever remain prayerful and hopeful that, in fullness of time, the desired changes in our livelihood would manifest sooner than later.”

Dr. Bukar Usman

Lending his voice, Professor Idris Amali said: “Good exchanges between our Dr. Bukar Usman and Regina in respect of our national independence celebration. It is worthy of celebration, despite the increasing challenges some of which are strange to the Nigerian State. We pray that our search for policies that would bring succour to ordinary Nigerians who also deserve fair treatment be a successful one. Nigeria, despites these challenges, would certainly get out of the troubles and remain a strong and united nation which some individuals and nations pray for its collapse. Nigeria will overcome the problems but structures must be put in place for erring Nigerians to be appropriately punished for their crime across the land. The current numerous crimes must be adequately tackled or addressed. Let’s put our hands together to make Nigeria a greater nation. God bless our dear fatherland.”

Reacting to the exchanges between Dr. Usman and Nwangele, Busiyi Onabolu hoped the Nigeria of our dreams would surely come, adding, “This is an assurance your work is not in vain and its light, which is already glowing in the minds of many, will shine bright and brighter till its spirit touches the whole nation. Congratulations, my friend.”

For Dr. Adegoke Adegoroye, “Regina said it all. But so have you too, in always ensuring that, in the affairs of our nation, we must keep hope alive. Thank you, sir, for your guidance always.”

In her message, prose stylist and critic, Deborah Uzoma, said: “May the dreams of Nigeria’s patriots be fulfilled in our time, and the good legacies you and a few others have done be applauded. Congratulations to our dear country @65 and happy miraculous blessed month.” Speaking in the same vein, the University of Abuja literary scholar and poet, Professor Razinat Mohammed, noted: “Happy Independence Day to you, Allanguro. May Allah help Nigeria stand in the comity of great nations in the future. Warm regards always.”

Former Nigerian ambassador, Prof. Tunji Olagunju, urged Usman to remain steadfast in his drive for a better Nigeria: “Please, don’t give up ooh. Our country needs more of your efforts in actions and public activities to evolve a better society.”

Tijani Garga was full of lamentations when he reflected: “Yes! We all want Nigeria to work like a fine watch, but politics has not shown us the direction that things will be better. On a personal note, I started my broadcasting career at level 07 with a National Certificate of Education (NCE) in 1992 and later graduated with my first degree in 1999. I became a full director in 2018, but, surprisingly, when a vacancy existed to head my organisation, all hopes were placed on me, because I was the only senior director with no equal both at entry level and graduation. Yet, someone with a secondary school certificate, who started on Grade Level 05 in 1992 and obtained an ND in 2007 and a degree in 2017 before becoming a director in 2022 was appointed to lead me, because he was from the same local government with the state governor.

“This tribalism is not only killing the spirit of hardworking people but can lead to psychological breakdown. From my personal experience, I don’t think democracy can take us to the promised land. Independence Day is just like any other day to me, nothing to celebrate, because we are always taking two steps backward.”

* This article by Henry Akubuiro was published by the Daily Sun of October 17, 2025, P. 16 and online at https://thesun.ng/authors-friends-congratulate-elder-statesman-on-legacies/