Prominent Nigerians Pay Tributes To TY Danjuma At 80
Former Secretary-General, Commonwealth of nations, Chief Emeka
Anyaoku, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Prof. Oladapo Akinkugbe and
other prominent Nigerians on Wednesday showered tributes on Gen.
Theophilus Danjuma, describing him as a man of integrity who has made
Nigeria proud both home and abroad.
They poured encomium on him at the 42nd Centre for Values in
Leadership (CVL), Leaders Without Title (LWT) colloquium organised by
Prof. Pat Utomi to celebrate Danjuma at 80.
Prof. Akinkugbe who was co- founder of Lagoon Hospital described Gen.
Danjuma as a formidable man who identifies problems quickly and
proffers solutions.
He said, “I was surprised when he referred to me as his mentor because
you cannot mentor him. He says thing as it is and urge people to do
the same. I am happy to be in the same platform with him.”
In his contribution, Chief Anyaoku reiterated that Gen. TY Danjuma has
made the country proud in and out of Nigeria especially when he was
appointed President of tribunal in a case brought against members of a
failed coup attempt in Trinidad and Tobago in 1970.
In his remark, founder of CVL, Prof. Pat Utomi said he was sad the way
Nigeria honour its people, adding that people that had impacted lives
and done well for the nation must be well celebrated.
Speaking on the theme of the programme, ‘ Strategic Philanthropy
Tripartite Approaching to Growth and Development’ , Utomi lamented
that the country has caused separation between rich and poor.
His words: “we have created two societies by sending our children to
expensive schools where poor children cannot attend. CVL would build a
school that will cater for poor children in the society”.
Others who spoke about the celebrant said he’s a man of integrity who
played a key role in social development.
Panelists at the event who made comments on the theme emphasised that
private and public sector including the people must come together to
proffer solutions to the problems affecting the growth and development
of Nigeria.
In her contribution, Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, Mrs. Ibukun
Awosika explained that the way government is structured does not have
the capacity to help people.
She stressed the need for the nation to have philanthropy who will
give long term fund for the creative and innovation of Nigerians.
The sad aspect according to her is the instability of political
system, saying there is fundamental problem we need to solve.”
“We need all Nigerians to solve a problem. If we can own our problem;
we can fix it,” he said.
Contributing, founder, Protection plus services limited, Mr. Ubong
King opined that strategic philanthropy would serve the business
better.
He urged both the private and public sector to joins hands to fix Nigeria.
Acting Director General, Infrastructure concession Regulatory
Commission (ICRC), Engr. Chidi Izuwah said Nigeria needs to focus more
on institutions to drive growth.
In a documentary that was shown, Gen. Danjuma appealed to Nigerians
not to run away, saying the country is where people get opportunities.
“Stay and do your best and you shall be greatly rewarded.
“The important values that drives me include: integrity, perseverance,
determination to succeed in life and continuous self- education.”
Danjuma said is foundation is for education and healthcare not meant
to solve cancer of corruption which he said is the greatest challenge
of Nigeria.
While he and his wife, Mrs. Daisy Danjuma appreciated people who
honoured him said his contribution to his foundation is $100 million.