Moh Bello Habib, Zaria
An Abuja Leading government officials, scholars, and governance reform advocates have called for renewed national commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparent leadership as essential pillars for rebuilding Nigeria’s governance system.
They made the call during the official presentation of three books authored by Dr. Umar Yakubu, held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. The books “The Shadow State: Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria,” “Nigeria Reimagined: Anchoring a Future on Integrity,” and “Shielding the Heartland: Rethinking Nigeria’s Border Security”—focus on corruption, national security, and institutional reform.
Former Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who chaired the occasion, lauded Dr. Yakubu for his intellectual courage and commitment to confronting Nigeria’s governance challenges through research and evidence-based analysis.
“At a time like this,” he said, “our nation must recognize the value of knowledge-driven initiatives that promote justice, transparency, and good governance.” He further urged collective action toward improving national security and rekindling public confidence in Nigeria’s development journey.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, commended Dr. Yakubu’s intellectual contribution to advancing transparency and accountability. He emphasized that Nigeria’s global reputation is directly linked to the values upheld domestically.
> “Transparency is not a slogan,” Tuggar said, “but the foundation of national pride and global respect.”
He encouraged young Nigerians to uphold honesty and ethical leadership, stressing that the fight against corruption requires collective participation. The Minister congratulated Dr. Yakubu for what he described as “bold and visionary contributions to reform and good governance.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, underscored the importance of citizen engagement in the anti-corruption drive, noting that the war against corruption cannot be fought by institutions alone.
He praised Dr. Yakubu for his dedication to promoting integrity and urged communities to establish local accountability initiatives to complement government policies.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and the Wazirin Dutse, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, hailed the books as “intellectual assets that promote honesty, discipline, and moral leadership.”
They also recommended that the books be made available in government institutions and public offices to strengthen ethics and improve service delivery across sectors.
