President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday described Justice Mamman Nasir, former President of the Court of Appeal as the architect of Nigerian Judiciary. Buhari stated this in Kaduna at a Colloquium and launching of four books organised in honour of Nasir, for attaining the age of 87.

“I want to inform everyone that Justice Nasir is the architect of Nigerian judicial system, as you know it today. “What you see today in terms of the structure of the judiciary and everything that makes the system works are the handwork of Nasir, “he said.

President Buhari, who was represented by Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, congratulated Nasir and Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano, for attaining the age of 87. He thanked Nasir for his service to Northern Nigeria and the country at large, adding that Nigerian remained indebted to the retired justice for his impeccable services to judiciary.

The president commended the organizers of the event, saying that it was significant to always recognise and appreciate those who served the nation meritoriously. Buhari expressed sadness that Nigerians tend to accord priority to materialism rather than honesty, hard work and service.

“We have become a nation in which people that have money are worshipped and recognized more than those that have served with merit. “I am therefore grateful to the organizers of this event and for writing four books in Nasir honour. “This is what we need to be doing as a country: recognizing those that served the nation well,” he said.

The president pledged that the Federal Government would purchase copies of the books to be distributed to tertiary institutions. Also speaking, Maitama Sule, who was the Guest Speaker, said Justice Nasir served under the leadership of the founding fathers of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa among others.

According to him, during the period, Nigeria was highly respected and envied because of the good virtues and values instilled in Nigerians. “As such, the history of Justice Nasir, like that of father and mentor, late Sir Ahmadu Bello could be used as a solution to the problems facing Nigerian today. “The history of Justice Nasir can be used as panacea to our ills and solution to myriads of challenges affecting the country.

“We could use the history of Nasiru as instrument of change for the better; a vanguard for a revolution to bring a better Nigeria, especially by the current administration”. On his part, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, commended the retired jurist for dedicating his life to the service of the nation. Onu prayed for God to continue to strengthen Nasir, adding Nigeria still needs more of his wisdom and knowledge.

Responding, Nasir, who is the District Head of Malumfashi and Galadiman Katsina, thanked all those that turned up to honour him. He called on Nigerians to intensify prayers and support to the government to ensure the survival, growth and development of the nation. He said that all Nigerians, owe it a duty to ensure the collective survival and growth of the country.

The books were entitled, Sustaining the Administration of Justice; Character and Leadership: The Nasir Example; Threshold of Justice; and Northern Stars: Who is Who in the North.