By Henry Umoru
ABUJA— CHAIRMAN, Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has described as unfortunate, Nigeria’s inability to manage and effectively put in use, its abundant resources.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a book lunch in honour of the former Biafran Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Governor Aliyu noted that hunger, insecurity, disunity presently being experienced by Nigerians, among others would have vanished if development matched the level of abundant human resources.

At the launch of the book titled, ‘’Ojukwu, the Rebel I served.”he noted that late Ojukwu fought for unity and against the marginalisation of his people, adding that his stance on issues put him at a crossroad and misrepresented him as Nigeria’s most misunderstood leader.

Represented by his Commissioner, Danladi Umar Abdulaheed, Governor Aliyu who described Chief Ojukwu as a military democrat fighting for his people, said: “I should remind you that all Ojukwu was fighting for was unity in diversity; all he was fighting for was that what belongs to Peter should be given to Peter; that is why in Nigeria, we are a peaceful country yet Nigeria is divided; Nigeria has the vast land for agriculture, yet Nigerians are hungry. Nigeria is busy putting up very beautiful structures yet we are unsecured.”

The governor who hailed the author, Uche Ezechukwu for trailing the blaze in immortalizing the late leader, said that most writers write so that they can earn a living, “but he is writing for somebody who has done his best, for people and now who has gone to the kingdom of God .’

The launch of the book, ‘Ojukwu, the rebel I served’, attracted notable Nigerians including Anambra state governor, Peter Obi who was represented by his deputy, Emeka Sibeudu; Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi; Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije; former Central Bank Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, APGA National Chairman Sir Victor Umeh, among others.

Senator Obi who was the chairman of the book launch said that Ojukwu was a hero even in death just as he commended the Federal Government’s contributions in the burial of Chief Ojukwu saying that the Igbo will forever be grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for according the leader the rites that was the first in the history of the nation.

According to him, “President Jonathan promised that Ojukwu would be given a heroic burial and right from the moment his remains entered at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport until his final interment, the government took charge. He was indeed honoured by the government.