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A former Head of State and All Progressives Congress leader, Mohammadu Buhari, said governance should be a mixture of old and young competent individuals, adding that ability, competence and skill in politics did not reside in one particular age group.

Seventy one-year-old Buhari was speaking at the 50th anniversary lecture of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, University of Ibadan on Thursday, where he was the chairman. The lecture, with the theme, Youth and the future of Nigerian Politics, was delivered by former Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Shettima Mustafa.

Also present at the event were the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja; eldest son of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Bamidele; APC chairman Bisi Akande; APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed; and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El Rufai.

In his introductory remarks, Buhari praised the contribution of Azikiwe to the development of Nigeria, noting that he had known the late sage since his school days.

He said, Azikiwe was the most out-spoken and internationally recognised Nigerian nationalist. He was a true Nigerian and his vision extended beyond Nigeria or West Africa. He dreamt of continental union, similar to what Europe is trying to do now. He deserves all the honour and accolades we can heap on him albeit posthumously.

While defending the importance of experience in governance, Buhari made references to many world leaders who transformed their countries even though they were over 70 years.

He said, China and Japan post 1945 had a history of very old people managing the affairs of these two great oriental economies. Mao Zedond and Chou En-Lai in their 70s laid the foundation for their successor, Deng Shao Ping, to bring one billion people out of poverty into self sufficiency in food supply and an economy second only to the US.

Charles de Gaulle led French resurgence after the war when he was over 70 years and in Britain, three old men managed its recovery through 1950s and 1960s. The last three Saudi Arabian kings ascended the throne in their 70s and 80s and see what transformation the nation enjoys in the last 40 years. If you think that this achievement is solely due to oil resources, take a look at Nigeria and consider what poor use we made of our resources.

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Governance should be a mixture of old, young Buhari