Arewa House Bestows Integrity Award on Nassarawa Governor

Arewa House, a centre for research and historical documentation, affiliated to the Department of History at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, has recognized Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule as the face of integrity.

This was disclosed by a delegation from the Kaduna based documentation centre, while on a courtesy call at the Government House, on Tuesday.

Leader of the delegation, Dr. Samuel Salami, said the recognition was as a result of Engineer Sule’s antecedents right from his time in the organized private sector, to his present position as Governor of a state.

Salami added that the recognition by the centre was also part of activities aimed at reawakening the need for Nigerians, particularly public officials, to be imbued with integrity and to have zero tolerance for corruption.

He disclosed that the centre has taken it upon itself to immortalize the person of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is generally perceived to be a man of integrity, stressing that Buhari won his election not through the use of money but because people believed he is a man that could save Nigeria.

Salami said the centre chose Engineer Sule as the face of integrity because of his striking resemblance in character to President Buhari.

“The rarity of gold, makes it precious. If it’s were to be something that you see everywhere, it won’t be precious. We have found you to be the face of integrity.

“We want to believe that you are here because the people of Nasarawa State believed you are a man of integrity,” he stated.

Salami urged Engineer Sule to keep doing what is right, even when others were doing wrong and getting away with it.

“The issue of integrity cannot be overemphasized. In fact, integrity is everything. It is choosing to do the right thing, when others are doing the wrong thing and still getting away with it,” he explained.

He further disclosed that the President has endorsed a project initiated by the centre to reawaken in the people, the need to see public office as public trust that must not be abused.

“In any system run by human beings, you cannot see perfection, it’s impossible but yet, you still strive towards perfection. And that’s exactly what we believed President Buhari is doing. And we believe that with integrity, we will get there,” Salami stated.

Responding, Engineer Sule, expressed appreciation that he is being likened to President Buhari, stressing that this has further served to encouraged him to put in his best.

The Governor traced his admiration for the President to 1984, when he returned to the country from the US, with then General Buhari as military head of state, having introduced the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), as well as a campaign to restore the dignity of Nigerians internationally.

“We were just coming from a democracy that was misplaced, a lot of corruption, a lot of problems all over the place and people were hiding their passports not to show they are Nigerians. The moment Buhari came he restored our dignity of being Nigerians. And from there, I fell in love with Muhammadu Buhari,” he stated.

Engineer Sule pointed out that since he came to admire the President, going through his records, what he has done, what he has continued to do and what he will do, “Muhammadu Buhari is a symbol of integrity and respect, every Nigerian should be proud of him.”

While noting that destiny made him to be different from President Buhari, Engineer Sule promised to continue to live with the fear of God and to give his best with the fear of God in his mind.

“Once you have the fear of God, you will be like President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.