Frontline Presidential aspirant, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has described the late former Minister of Defence, Domkat Bali, as a professional soldier who contributed much to the unity of the Nigerian nation
The presidential hopeful, who officially presented the book, ‘General Damkat Yah Bali (GCON) As Ponzhi Tarak Designate: A contextual Analysis of the Imbroglio 1990-2020’ to the gathering on Sunday, noted that it would add a lot in teaching Nigerian students more about their past leaders as well as their roles in nation-building.
He admonished everyone to have a copy and read about the life of General Bali.
He said, “My job is to present this book to the public, but just note that the book we are presenting is not just the print and the paper, it is the principle behind the book that we are presenting. It is not a rock story.
“It’s the human story, about the need for society to have honour and integrity. Sacrifice of personal interest for the good of the wider society.”
Bali was also a retired four-star General of the Nigerian Army, Chief of Defence Staff, member of the Supreme Military Council (1984–1985) and the Armed Forces Ruling Council (1985–1990).
Present at the public presentation of the book included the former Head of States, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Kedem Tallen, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, JT Useni, among others.
On his part, Gowon expressed regret over the failure of successive governments to continue with the National Development Plan (1975 – 1980), which was put in place by him.
According to him, the failure of successive governments to adhere to the beautiful work of the dedicated Nigerian military officers led by General Bali denied Nigeria the benefit of coordinated development for a great nation.
Gowon maintained that if successive governments had maintained the development plan put in place by him and stuck to it, Nigeria would have been a great nation, far better that it had attained.
He said, “If only the development plan that we had at that time (1975 – 1980), had continued, if they had carried it through, it would have made all the difference.”
The ex-Head of State said the level of loyalty to the state by officers at the time and commitment to service was one he owed greatly to his subordinates, including Bali.
“All this achievement, we can say, I really owe it to General Bali and all those young officers in those days. Although young as they were, they shouldered those responsibilities far, far above their age and experience,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tallen charged Nigerians to place national interest above personal gains for the development of the nation.
Buhari, she said, also “challenged all Nigerians to live a life of integrity and respect.”
President Buhari said Bali in whom the book was written was a man of courage and integrity which defined his military career and path as a civilian.
Tallen said, “Mr President, therefore, celebrates and congratulates General Bali’s family this year as he marks his 82nd posthumous birthday.
“As a senior military officer General Bali was a gentleman and man of integrity, a highly respected Nigerian who maintained his integrity to death,” Tallen said.
