The Managing Director of Aleena Petroleum, Hon. Ma’sud Musa Bashir, has urged federal and state governments as well as all Nigerians, to adopt THE BEAUTIES OF NIGERIA, a book written by veteran journalist, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, as a national heritage.

The book was presented to the public Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the national press centre, radio house, Abuja in the presence of dozens of dignitaries including the national chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Solid Minerals Minister, Dr. Dele Alake, Chairman/CEO of Air Peace, Bar. Allen Onyema, Service Chiefs, African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), Dr. John Metchie, OPM General Overseer, Pastor Chibuzor Chinyere, CEOs of PTAD, NBC, VON, National Library and NEPC, among many others.

Speaking to news men on the sideline of the programme, Alhaji Ma’sud said the content of the book is something no Nigerian has done in the past, especially an individual, adding that it would help in impacting Nigeria’s perception among citizens, Diaspora community and the world at large.

He said- “After the unveiling this morning, I took my time to go through the 36-chapters book. Almost all Nigerian positives are captured including things many of us do not know about the country in the past, some of the areas including art, culture, music, nollywood/kannywood, our weather and honest people. I was shocked to read about many Nigerians who have found money forgotten by strangers and returned them to their owners.

“So when people say we are a country of fraudulent people, I can boldly tell them henceforth that it is not true. What the book tried to portray is that, yes, there people doing the negatives, but they are few when compared to the huge number of our population which the author put at 215 million.

“The book has chapters that talked about huge investment opportunities in the country, especially solid minerals deposits across states and fct. He talked about those who have made Nigeria proud in literature, sports, military, administration, medicine, art, law, industry, History and showcased what he called indomitable Nigeria’s Spirit of Enterprise, among others.

“As a rare patriot, said in the book that it was true the nation is facing some challenges, especially on economy which he said is biting hard on the citizens, he however urged the people to love their country by joining hands with government to fix the country.

“I have read so many books on Nigeria but I must confess that no Nigerian has done something close to this. I therefore call on the relevant authorities, including the minister for information and that of art and culture to draw the attention of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to this book THE BEAUTIES OF NIGERIA, so that it can be mass produced for national orientation and mobilization,” Ma’sud stated.

Also speaking at the event which brought together literature enthusiasts, politicians, business executives, ministers, heads of MDAs, cultural advocates, and Nigerians from all walks of life, the chairman of the occasion, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Gnduje, commended the author for making out time to put together such document which he described as a national heritage that should be cherished by all Nigerians. Ganduje who was represented by the national publicity secretary of APC, Chief Felix Morka, said- “This is a remarkable contribution to the vision of Nigeria, a vision of a country that is truly beautiful as the title of the book proclaims. It is indeed a beautiful country and irrespective of your religion, God put us all here for a purpose, and this book reminds us of that purpose, why we all share that common identity as Nigerians.”

Morka Added that the book is a reminder of why Nigerian should celebrate their citizenship, and called on the government to do more in improving the welfare of all Nigerians while asking citizens to play their own part by joining hands with government to develop the nation.

Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Minerals development, Dr. Dele Alake, represented by his Special Assistant, Ms Arabirim Bello, said “It’s about time we start projecting our country in a positive light, enough of the negative narratives about Nigeria, because it negatively affects our tourism industry and in turn discourages people from visiting the country and trusting Nigerians.

While inviting Nigerians in the country, those in the Diaspora and well as the global community to take advantage of the various reforms ongoing the sector, Alake said the solid mineral sector is now available and ready for citizens and investors to make mutual benefits.

He said- “So the book has really captured everything about Nigeria, who we are, what we stand for, the culture and way of life as well as the good things about Nigeria.

“I urge every Nigeria to have a copy of “The Beauty of Nigeria, in order to know more about the country.”

The representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Brig Gen. Eyong, on his part, said the book is a vital instrument to showcase Nigeria nationally and internationally, adding that the CDS, Gen. Gwabin Christopher Musa is passionate about presenting the best of Nigeria to the world, in view of what the nation has to give to the rest of Africa and the global community.

In his remark, the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), Dr. John Metchie, who is also the Prime Minister of Anambra State Association of World Peace Advocates, praised the author of the book, Bonaventure Melah, saying that his efforts in painstakingly writing and funding its production, is a rare demonstration of patriotism by a citizen in love with his country.

He urged Nigerian citizens to come together in order to build the nation of their dream and called for support for President Bola Tinubu and his administration, expressing the confidence that Nigeria is on the march to greatness.

The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, who was represented by her Technical Adviser, Dr. Magdalene Kadiri, commended the author of the book for what she described as a beautiful and patriotic work.

She explained that although Nigerians are experiencing challenges in their daily lives, work is in progress to reposition the country in various on various aspect, citing PTAD as an example of one of the agencies where technology and open-door policies have been deployed to make life better.

She added that Nigerian pensioners, under the umbrella of PTAD, are no longer required to appear physically for verification and that pension is paid to retirees as at when due which she said have helped to reduce stress faced by pensioners.

The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry, Pastor Chibuzor Chinyere, who was represented by Mr. Kenneth Orji, said he was excited by the title and content of the book because of his personal commitment for sacrifice, charity and general wellbeing of people.

He stated that OPM is a ministry committed to the spiritual and general wellbeing of people, especially the downtrodden and encouraged Nigerians to commit to love of the country like the author.

The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace who was represented by the Director, Digital Media, Hajia Sani, urged Nigerians to protect the image of their country at home and abroad.

She stated that the author of the book was inspired by the many Nigerian positives, adding that at no time than now does Nigeria need national orientation and mobilization on patriotism and citizenship than now.

Prof. Chinwe Anunubi, the National Librarian/CEO, National Library of Nigeria, in her remark, said that- “The author of this book is a patriot that understands the need to enhance the nation’s perception and must be appreciated. She was represented by Mrs. Sherifat Ajibola, Director, Legal Deposit.

Other high profile dignitaries who graced the book presentation include the Chief of Air State, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar who was represented by AVM Oyeshi, Chief of Standard and Evaluation- COSE, the representative of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council- NEPC, Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and many others.

On his part, the author of the book, Bonaventure Melah, explained that in spite of the many challenges bedeviling the country, Nigerians must be united, have the zeal and support the government in bringing about the needed turn around in the nations fortunes.

He added that the book is classified into thirty five chapters, from the introduction to the beauties, which include culture, music, Nollywood, Kannywood, Nigerian cuisines, weather, those who has made Nigeria proud in industry and business, investment opportunities and lots more.