It is a common truism that no legacy is more potent in human society than that of education, and of course, acquisition of Knowledge. Even knowledge has its own grades, and the highest of it is knowledge of history, for, the future most times, derives its ingredient on the past.
Indeed, the history of an accomplished personality as it evolves and generously documented, has the capacity of shaping the future of the people in the society: talk of people like Chief Herbert Macaulay, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the great Sardauna of Sokoto; Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and several others.
It follows that a society may progress or retrogress depending on the uprighhtness or otherwise of the forebears, as may have been recorded in history. Conversely, unrecorded socio-economic and politico-cultural gladiators has the capacity of throwing the society into the darkness of its past.
It is within the context of the necessity to continually update the content of the history and the component of it that a budding author and practicing Journalist, Abdullahi M. Gulloma cornered the immediate past Head of Nigeria Civil Service, Ahaji Bukar Goni Aji for a detail treatise on his life and time as, obviously, an acknowledged accomplished civil servant of long standing.
The book, titled: BUKAR GONI AJI, A QUINTESSENTIAL CIVIL SERVANT came out to throw light on the history of this first-class civil servant. The book elicits knowledge for the benefit of the future generations and set, in the main, to play relevant role in the advancement of the future generations, within the confine of Civil Service.
In the foreword to the book, a biography, President Goodluck Jonathan says: “for me in particular, the story of Aji’s life of humility, hard work and dedication makes interesting reading” even as he recommended it to researchers, scholars and students of public service and history as well as general public.
The 447-page book is divided into two parts. Part one of 12 chapter, deals essentially with his entire life, from birth upto the time he retired as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation a couple of months ago. The Part ends with several inspiring speeches of the subject and press statements and releases from his office, most of which were signed by the Director of Communications in his office, Dr. Tope Ajakaiye.
Part two of the book which begins from page 283 and ends in page 447 are cuttings of newspapers, magazines, radio, television and online media publications on the activities of Bukar Goni Aji all through his tenure.
The book is enriched with each chapter beginning with a quote from great philosopher and legend of the history, as, for example, the quote on page 39, from former Ford Motors Chief Executive, Lee Laccaco who said: “Get all the education you can, but then, by God, do something! Don’t just stand there, make something happen. It isn’t easy, but if you keep your nose to the grindstone and work at it, it’s amazing how in a free society you can become as great as you want to be. And, of course, also be grateful for whatever blessings God bestows on you.”
Another interesting part of the book is in chapter ten, from page 123 to 164 where Goni Aji’s inspiring words, quoted from his different speeches are reflected. The chapter is titled: “Nuggets Of Mind.” One of such quotes goes thus: “As civil servants, we shall re-dedicate our commitment to the government and Nigerian people, thereby strengthening the bond of trust between government and the citizenry through the exhibition of high sense of honesty, transparency, accountability, moral and ethical behaviour.”
Having said that, it is noted however, one or a few defect are discernable in the book. For instance, some captions on the photographs are incomplete. The caption on the picture in page 65 “He doesn’t joke with his holidays” is vague. So also is the caption on the two pictures in page 66: one saying “Refreshing his mind abroad.” Where in abroad? Readers would be eager to know and the second picture with caption “With his first daughter, Fatimah” born which year? Readers would also be interested in knowing.
Though the knowledge that Goni Aji was loved by media and that his words were adequately captured in such media of communications was refreshing, but the fact remains that the media reflection of him in the book is over-bloated. Devoting 161 pages in the book to treat just the media portrait of Goni Aji almost robbed it of the beauty in narration and making it boring. The press releases and statements from his office, signed mostly by the media aide, should not have been featured or even given prominence in a book that is supposed to solely focus on the subject matter.
However, in all, the book is a great effort in the direction of documenting a great, accomplished and outstanding civil servant of our time for the benefit of the generations yet unborn.
Like President Jonathan says in the foreword to the book, researchers, scholars and students of public service, history, politics as well as the general public will find this book most valuable; in the acquisition of useful modern knowledge in that direction. [myad]

Nigeria’s popular Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji has been rated the richest celebrity in Nigeria with N220 Million in his kitty. She beats nine others to come on top of the Vanguard’s rating.

The Nigerian ace actress is said to beat others in the selection process, using endorsement deals as the major criteria. Genevieve has signed many deals with multi-national companies in recent times, including Etisalat, Amstel Malta, Range Rover Envogue and MUD Cosmetics.

Despite being missing from the Glo Ambassador list, Genevieve still knocks out big names like Iyanya in 2nd place at N151 by a whopping 69million in second place with N151 million, music group P-square who came in third with N140million, Wizkid at number four with N101 million and D’banjwho occupied fifth place with N100million. This is how the rich celebrities stand:

1. Genevieve Nnaji: N220 Million

Genevieve Nnaji is representing or has represented brands like Lux, Cintrion Energy drink, Range Rover Evogue, Etisalat, Polo and Amstel Malta. The Etisalat deal alone earned her N100 million. Her deal with Polo is in the region of N70 while the Cintrion drink rakes in N50 million for the actress.

2. Iyanya -N151 million

Iyanya’s endorsement deal with MTN is worth N60 million. He has a $350,000 endorsement deal with Zinox computers and a N35 million deal with phone manufacturing company Solo Mobile.

3. P-Square N140 from Glo

P-Square’s deal with GLO is said to be N140 million.

4. Wizkid – N101 million

Wizkid’s deal with MTN is worth N45 million, his deal with Pepsi worth about $350,000. He also has an endorsement deal with Guinness.

5. D’Banj N100 million

Dbanj’s deal with Glo is said to be worth N100 million

6. Don Jazzy – N75 million

The Don Dorobucci gets paid nothing less than N50 Million from Loya Milk. He also has a N25 million deal from MTN.

7. Omawumi – N35 million

Omawumi’s deal with Glo is said to worth N25 million. She also has deals with Konga reportedly worth between N5 – N10 million, as well as Mortein & Malta Guiness.

8. Tiwa Savage – MTN deal worth N30 million

Tiwa Savage’s MTN deal is reportedly worth N30 million. She also has deals with Pepsi, Forte Oil and Maggi

9. Davido – N30 million MTN Pulse deal

The OBO has deals with MTN Pulse and Guinness Nigeria. His  MTN deal is reported to be worth N30 million, while his Guinness endorsement hasn’t been made public.

10. Funke Akindele – N20 million With Vita Foam Nigeria

Funke Akindele has an endorsement deal with Vitafoam reportedly worth N20 million. She also has deals with Globacom, Jobberman.com, Qlichy.com, Klin detergent, Lagos Inland Revenue Service and OMO. [myad]