The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has warned that any system of government that exploits the poor, but reward and extols those that have accumulated wealth is a recipe for disaster.
Dogara stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the delegation form Tikau Emirate in his house in Abuja.
The delegation was led by the Galadima Tikau, Mr. Muhammed Sarki who presented the letter of conferment of traditional title on Dogara from the traditional ruler, Mai Tikau,
HRH Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar.
Dogara noted that considering what is happening in Europe and some traditional democracies, all leadership, all modes of government in the world would have to adjust whether they like it or not.
He stated: “And again that is a message to all of us. When a system where people who exceedingly accumulated capital (money) are exalted and rewarded, while les less privileged are left to be exploited, will no longer work.
“That means we will have to do more for people who are less privileged. When you have a system that promotes the exploitation of the poor, where only very few, insignificant part of the population who are privileged and rich swim across the ocean of prosperity, where the poor and the vulnerable are left off to drown the the vast ocean of poverty it is just a recipe for disaster,” he warned.
The former Speaker revealed that he had never heard of the Tikau Emirate until he was intimated about the proposed title last year, adding that he never solicited for the title.
He stressed that when he was the Speaker, he realised that those from the North-east were seriously endangered due to the insurgency.
Dogara said it was based on that that he moved a motion for the rehabilitation of he victims of Boko Haram insurgents, as well as the bill for the establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
He stated: “So, It came to us as a total surprise. But there is a foundation for this. The essence of life itself is not how long you live, it is not longevity, but the essence of life is in how well you lived.
“As a matter of fact, if you judge from people who lived long, who lived well, most of them don’t even live long. We, as people of faith, what we do to others far above what we do for ourselves and our families will be the basis upon which we will be rewarded more.”
“So, the truth is that you are never remembered for what you said, what you keep, you are only remembered for what you give away. When you die nobody talks about the beautiful mansion that you built, beautiful cars you have. It is the people that you touched who will feel obligated to keep remembering your services to them.”
Dogara pointed out that the chieftancy title conferred on him was a call to service, just as his call as a politician was a call to serve.
He assured that he would dedicate himself and would accept whatever service the Mai Tikau deems appropriate within the confines of law and within the confines of his faith to offer not just to the people of Tikau Emirate, but to the less privileged and Nigerians as a whole.
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