Let's Talk Up Nigeria!

SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE “CONVERSATIONS ON NIGERIA’S UNITY IN DIVERSITY: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES, BENEFITS”, AND PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF A BOOK, THE MEMORY OF SEASONS, BY ARUKAINO UMUKORO AT THE YAR’DUA CENTRE, ABUJA, ON THE 12TH OF MAY, 2023

PROTOCOLS

I am overwhelmed by the achievements of Arukaino, whom we call “Rukky.” I am completely taken by all he has achieved in such a short period of time, all the awards, and there is quite a long list of them.

It is my pleasure to join you here today at the formal presentation and book launch of ‘The Memory of Seasons’, a collection of poems by Arukaino Umukoro, speaking of nationhood, faith, life and humanity.

There is a paragraph in the preface which says “these poems weave stories, reflections, imagination, and love into an embroidered yarn.” The preface was written by the author himself, so when you see and hear the use of words and the excellent rhythm of the language, you’d know it could only have come from a poet of great talent.

It also says “they also navigate the seasons of love, the crux of humanity and the nuances that genuflect a genuine concern for society. At the heart of the poet’s codex is God, nation and humanity.”

You know, sometimes, people say that Wole Soyinka is complex, you know, so when you read some of his poems, you know. But I think it is very good. You sometimes have to reflect when you read some of Rukky’s poetry; you have to think again and reflect.

I agree with his characterization of his poetry, because I have read a few of them myself. I am also glad to see that the project, of which he spoke to me about two/three months ago, has so quickly come to fruition. I am proud of his effort and the creativity it took to deliver such a wonderful set of poems in such a short time.

The Chairman has already told us that Rukky started as a child poet. His father Mr. Godswill Dean Umukoro, also a brilliant poet and writer, encouraged him from a young age to harness his creative and writing gifts.

When he was still in primary school, his father helped him publish his first-ever fiction story titled “One Good Turn Deserves Another.” It was published in the then-popular, but now defunct, ‘Democrats Newspaper’ in Kaduna State, where they lived. The Chairman has also very kindly offered to make a framed copy of the publication available.

Since then, two of his poems, ‘Stillbirth’ and ‘Love Is’, have been featured on BBC Network Africa and West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR), respectively. But this would be his first full collection of poetry.

Rukky’s themes do not surprise me. He is a conscientious public intellectual and a restless social activist who believes in this nation fervently. That shows in practically everything he has demonstrated and talks, and writes about.

The theme of this event, “Conversations on Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity: Challenges, Opportunities, Benefits,” is one of his favourite issues. And I am glad that the esteemed members of the panel today spoke so thoughtfully on some of the salient issues.

We need to talk up our country. A big part of nation-building is talking up your nation. Tolu and Maupe, a moment ago, asked what sort of narratives about Nigeria we push? The stories of nations written by others focus on the agendas of the authors; the negatives, of course, sell more and much faster.

I used to attend a lot of conferences, and I will soon be attending a lot of conferences, and I have never found a conference where anyone is ill of their country or running down their country. If it happens, it is usually a Nigerian.

Everywhere you go, no matter how funny the country is, you will never hear anyone speaking negatively about their country. And that’s the truth; everywhere you go. No matter how funny the country may be, you will never hear anyone speaking negatively about their country. No matter how bad the country is.
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The official YouTube Channel for Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo, Nigerian Lawyer and Politician who served as the Vice President of Nigeria from the 29th of May 2015 to the 29th of May 2023. Before this, he served as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

With a background in law and governance, he currently chairs the Climate Action Platform for Africa and serves as a Global Advisor for the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. He's also the Guardian of the Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation and Chair of Future Perspectives.

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