16th December, 2010
It was encomium galore for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in Abuja yesterday as dignitaries from all walks of life gathered for the launch of two books, ‘My Story, My Vision’ and ‘A Paradise for Maggots’, written by Dr. Wale Adebanwi, assistant professor at the University of California, Davis, United States.
The first book was an autobiography of the former Nigerian anti-graft czar while Adebanwi’s book is described in the foreword written by Professor Chinua Achebe as “a salient document depicting an important crusader for justice.â€
Guests at the event, starting from Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, who chaired the event, commended Ribadu, especially for the manner in which he handled his job as the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Justice Oputa set the ball rolling when he noted in his opening speech that the “gathering is not because Ribadu is a rich man, but to celebrate somebody who has been upright and stand up for Nigeria.â€
Justice Oputa who spoke on integrity in his opening speech said as a man of integrity, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, presidential aspirant has opportunity to steal from the national treasury, but he did not. “Mallam Ribadu served his country and left an indelible footprint,†the retired jurist said.
Also, Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd.), Governor of Adamawa State, said Ribadu has been recognized all over the world, including higher citadels of learning for the “sanity he has brought into our world.†Nyako described Ribadu as a man of courage and who is so full of confidence.
—Oluokun Ayorinde /Abuja
