Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • NiMet Predicts Three-Day Rain, Thunderstorms Nationwide From Monday
    • Again Boko Haram Kills Nine In Borno, Governor Zulum Mourns
    • There Is Pain Behind That Smile. Just Do Your Bit – By Dr Hassan Gimba
    • What Can Nigeria Learn From China’s Electricity Revolution? – By Dr Dakuku Peterside
    • Amaechi: Nigerian Politicians And Doublespeak – By Kazeem Akintunde
    • Remembering ‘Watergate Scandal’ And Danger Of Crippling Opposition – By Martins Oloja
    • When Power Mongers Regroup: Inside The ADC Circus – By Temitope Ajayi
    • Kwankwaso: The Northern Titan Tinubu Needs For 2027 – By Lamara Garba Azare
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    NEWS POINT NIGERIANEWS POINT NIGERIA
    UBA 720X90
    • HOME
    • NEWS

      NiMet Predicts Three-Day Rain, Thunderstorms Nationwide From Monday

      July 7, 2025

      Again Boko Haram Kills Nine In Borno, Governor Zulum Mourns

      July 6, 2025

      I’m Going To Contest For President In 2027, Peter Obi Declares

      July 6, 2025

      FG Fines Multichoice N766m For Violating Data Protection Act

      July 6, 2025

      We Haven’t Received Any Court Reinstatement Order On Natasha – Senate

      July 6, 2025
    • COLUMN

      There Is Pain Behind That Smile. Just Do Your Bit – By Dr Hassan Gimba

      July 6, 2025

      What Can Nigeria Learn From China’s Electricity Revolution? – By Dr Dakuku Peterside

      July 6, 2025

      Amaechi: Nigerian Politicians And Doublespeak – By Kazeem Akintunde

      July 6, 2025

      Remembering ‘Watergate Scandal’ And Danger Of Crippling Opposition – By Martins Oloja

      July 6, 2025

      Don’t Kill Yourself Because He’s Cheating – By Funke Egbemode

      July 6, 2025
    • EDUCATION

      13 Countries Offering Free Or Low-Cost PhD Programmes For Non-Citizens

      January 25, 2025

      NECO: Abia, Imo Top Performing States In Two Years, Katsina, Zamfara Come Last

      October 3, 2024

      NBTE Accredits 17 Programmes At Federal Polytechnic Kabo

      August 20, 2024

      15 Most Expensive Universities In Nigeria

      May 19, 2024

      FULL LIST: Tinubu Appoints Former SGF Yayale, Ex-Governor Yuguda, Muhammad Abacha, Jega In Universities’ Governing Councils

      May 18, 2024
    • INTERNATIONAL

      Israeli Army Targets Gaza City With Heavy Strikes, Killing 39

      July 6, 2025

      French Intelligence Claims China Trying To Foil Global Sale Of Rafale Jets

      July 6, 2025

      Israel Sending Negotiating Team To Qatar For Gaza Ceasefire Talks

      July 6, 2025

      Texas Flood Kills 24 As Rescuers Search For Children Missing From Girls’ Camp

      July 6, 2025

      UN Says 613 Gaza Killings Recorded At Aid Sites, Near Humanitarian Convoys

      July 5, 2025
    • JUDICIARY

      FULL LIST: Judicial Council Recommends Appointment Of 11 Supreme Court Justices

      December 6, 2023

      Supreme Court: Judicial Council Screens 22 Nominees, Candidates Face DSS, Others

      November 29, 2023

      FULL LIST: Judicial Commission Nominates 22 Justices For Elevation To Supreme Court

      November 16, 2023

      Seven Key Issues Resolved By Seven Supreme Court Judges

      October 26, 2023

      FULL LIST: CJN To Swear In Falana’s Wife, 57 Others As SANs November 27

      October 12, 2023
    • POLITICS

      What Peter Obi May Lose If He Joins Coalition As VP Candidate

      May 25, 2025

      Atiku Moves To Unseat Wike’s Damagum As PDP Chairman, Backs Suswam As Replacement

      April 15, 2024

      Edo’s Senator Matthew Uroghide, Others Defect To APC

      April 13, 2024

      Finally, Wike Opens Up On Rift With Peter Odili

      April 2, 2024

      El-Rufa’i’s Debt Burden: APC Suspends Women Leader For Criticising Kaduna Gov

      March 31, 2024
    • SPORTS

      THROWBACK: How I Became Known As Dodo Mayana – Peter Rufai

      July 6, 2025

      Zubimendi Joined Gunners For £60m – How Arsenal Signed Arteta’s ‘Obsession’

      July 6, 2025

      Best Of African Women’s Football On Display As WAFCON Kicks Off

      July 6, 2025

      Mbappe Scores As Real Madrid Beat Dortmund To Set-Up PSG Semi-Final

      July 6, 2025

      Super Eagles’ Captain, Ahmed Musa Named General Manager Of Kano Pillars

      July 5, 2025
    • MORE
      • AFRICA
      • ANALYSIS
      • BUSINESS
      • ENTERTAINMENT
      • FEATURED
      • LENS SPEAK
      • INFO – TECH
      • INTERVIEW
      • NIGERIA DECIDES
      • OPINION
      • Personality Profile
      • Picture of the month
      • Science
      • Special Project
      • Videos
      • Weekend Sports
    NEWS POINT NIGERIANEWS POINT NIGERIA
    UBA 720X90
    Home - Sule Lamido’s Inspiring Journey From Village Aristocrat To World Stage – By Zainab Suleiman Okino

    Sule Lamido’s Inspiring Journey From Village Aristocrat To World Stage – By Zainab Suleiman Okino

    By Zainab Suleiman OkinoMay 21, 2025
    Zainab Okino 1

    AT the public presentation of Sule Lamido’s autobiography “BEING TRUE TO MYSELF” penultimate week, one could mistake the gathering for the formation of a new political party. The convergence of eminent personalities from both the governing party and opposition parties mirrored the ongoing political defections to the APC, which has become a national pastime.

    Nigerians from diverse backgrounds united to solidarise with, identify and support Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa state, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s political godson. The atmosphere blended rural sensibilities, Jigawa locals with urban sophistication and political elite, befitting a “village prince,” as the book reviewer Dr. Iyorchia Ayu described Sule Lamido.

    The NAF Centre venue was so packed that many dignitaries struggled to find seats in the palatial hall, while the masters of ceremony were overwhelmed with recognising the multitude of prominent attendees, as is customary in Nigeria.

    UBA

    It was a convergence of former PDP stalwarts mixed with current political players—their differences dissolved by frequent defections—alongside the who’s who of Nigeria’s political firmament. The Jigawa community, led by Governor Umar Namadi, claimed ownership of the event despite their political differences and donated generously.

    Though the ruling APC has been welcoming defectors, President Bola Tinubu emphasised political inclusion and reaffirmed his commitment to democratic culture, despite contradictions in his actions. Represented by Information Minister Mohammed Idris, the president declared that “every citizen, regardless of party affiliation, has a seat at the table of national discourse” and characterised Lamido as consistent, courageous, and committed to democratic ideals.

    WIDGET ADS

    The minister described Lamido as “a strong pillar of Nigeria’s political evolution” despite being “a staunch member of the political opposition and often a critic of President Tinubu’s government.” This principled stance had previously drawn the ire of power, notably during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration when the EFCC hounded him.

    Obasanjo, often regarded as Nigeria’s political godfather, reminisced about his unique father-son relationship with Lamido before appointing him Foreign Affairs Minister despite his lack of diplomatic career experience. Obasanjo recounted how Lamido made an excellent impression internationally, even requesting autonomy in his diplomatic endeavours. This relationship fostered an unwavering loyalty that endures to this day.

    Thomas Sankara African Leadership Prize

    Dr. Ayu highlighted how Lamido refused to be dictated to by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, standing firm on debt forgiveness negotiations. True to his autobiography’s title, Lamido remained steadfast in both domestic and international affairs.

    Coming from “village aristocracy,” Lamido took the road less traveled by rejecting the Northern People’s Congress—the aristocrats’ party—to align with the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) because of its principles of social justice, fairness, and equity. According to Ayu, Lamido drew strength from the talakawa (common people), the downtrodden who formed NEPU’s ideological core.

    Nigerian TAX Reform - Federal Goverment

    This philosophy manifested during his governorship through Nigeria’s first-ever Talakawa Summit and welfare programmes providing stipends to the poor, vulnerable, and physically challenged. Ayu traced Lamido’s remarkable journey from a sweet-selling village prince to a globally recognised Nigerian statesman, pan-Nigerian fellow of the university of the world.

    Perhaps the most controversial revelation from the book launch concerned the late MKO Abiola, his struggle, and eventual death over the June 12, 1993 election that he presumably won. Lamido disclosed information about the federal government’s financial obligations to the late business mogul—potentially problematic for President Tinubu, known as Abiola’s associate and mentee who endured political exile while supporting MKO’s struggle against military rule.

    Over three decades, activists struggled and successfully forced the hands of the Nigerian government to declare June 12 a democracy day worthy of celebration, as against May 29, when the new democratic dispensation began. A new twist has now been added to the Abiola quagmire in death, just as in life, thanks to Sule Lamido’s autobiography. As one of Abiola’s associates, he should know.

    National Orientation Agency Page UP
    National Orientation Agency - Down

    Just when closure seemed achieved with the June 12 holiday declaration under Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Lamido delivered another bombshell: that the election’s annulment was partly motivated by the government’s desire to avoid paying ₦45 billion owed to Abiola. He challenged President Tinubu, as Abiola’s kinsman, associate, and successor, to rectify this injustice by compensating Abiola’s family.

    Indeed, Tinubu’s characterisation of Lamido as “consistent and courageous” affirms the latter’s commitment to authenticity. But the challenge extends further. The president should demonstrate good faith and loyalty to a mentor whose tribulations validated and paved Tinubu’s path to prominence and eventual presidency. This historical injustice demands redress—a perfect opportunity to test the president’s fidelity to friendship and principles.

    • Okino, is Chairperson of Blueprint Editorial Board, a fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE), her syndicated column appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Wednesdays. She can be reached via: zainabokino@gmail.com.

    Book Launch Sule Lamido Zainab Okino Column
    Share. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn Telegram Email

    Related Posts

    There Is Pain Behind That Smile. Just Do Your Bit – By Dr Hassan Gimba

    July 6, 2025

    What Can Nigeria Learn From China’s Electricity Revolution? – By Dr Dakuku Peterside

    July 6, 2025

    Amaechi: Nigerian Politicians And Doublespeak – By Kazeem Akintunde

    July 6, 2025

    Remembering ‘Watergate Scandal’ And Danger Of Crippling Opposition – By Martins Oloja

    July 6, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Latest Posts

    NiMet Predicts Three-Day Rain, Thunderstorms Nationwide From Monday

    July 7, 2025

    Again Boko Haram Kills Nine In Borno, Governor Zulum Mourns

    July 6, 2025

    There Is Pain Behind That Smile. Just Do Your Bit – By Dr Hassan Gimba

    July 6, 2025

    What Can Nigeria Learn From China’s Electricity Revolution? – By Dr Dakuku Peterside

    July 6, 2025

    Amaechi: Nigerian Politicians And Doublespeak – By Kazeem Akintunde

    July 6, 2025
    Advertisement
    WIDGET ADS
    News Point NG
    © 2025 NEWS POINT NIGERIA Developed by ENGRMKS & CO.
    • Home
    • About us
    • Disclaimer
    • Our Advert Rates
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Join Us On WhatsApp