GOODWILL MESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SENATOR ANYIM PIUS ANYIM, GON
ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK –
AN AMBASSADOR’S INCREDIBLE REMINISCENCES
THIS DAY, APRIL 5, 2002
PROTOCOL.
It is with a deep sense of joy that I stand in your midst today to share this glorious moment of the public presentation of the biography of Ambassador Ochea Uduma Ikpa titled An Ambassador’s Incredible Reminiscences.
I am particularly delighted to be associated with this event because of the high esteem in which I hold Ambassador Ikpa. To me, today’s event, a landmark in many ways, should not pass for a mere gathering to present a book to the public, for it is indeed a celebration of excellence.
For those of us who have been privileged to understudy the career profile of this rare Ambassador, it is only proper that we chronicle the giant diplomatic strides of this worthy African son.
Ikpa’s life in more ways than one presents a curious metaphor for the Nigerian nation state. Here is a man who has had over 40 nerve-breaking miraculous incidents, yet remains unbowed in his commitment to national development. Such qualities in a man are legendary and would be most handy at this point in the life of our dear country.
As we present this book to the public, we must pause and ponder the future of this country. How can this generation and several subsequent generations build on the foundation laid by Ambassador Ikpa and his contemporaries. This question has become pertinent at this point in time when the nation’s young democratic tree is being buffeted by all manner of storms.
Today, there is no gainsaying the fact that there are clear and potent threats to democracy. Such threats are manifest in the several crises that have erupted in various parts of the country in the last three years. All these, I must stress, call for internal vigilance among the various stakeholders in the polity.
This is the challenge before us all. As politicians, as leaders, as members of the various constituencies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and more importantly as lovers of democracy, we must in the spirit of national peace and unity resist every undemocratic force. We have suffered so much to get to where we are today, nothing, absolutely nothing, shall take this new spirit from us. We must rise and defend our democracy.
The likes of Ambassador Ikpa laboured so hard to lay a foundation; our generation must work even harder to strengthen this foundation. This is my message to every Nigerian on this most auspicious occasion.
Thank you.