Former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has listed the qualities he cherishes in the person of the immediate past minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, one of which is Pantami’s commitment to his islamic religion.
“…most important of all, and I have to say this, is his religious fervency, his commitment to Islam. “Because he is first and foremost, in my view, and this is probably why I admire him so much, a cleric, a sheikh, and a man that will stand for, and by his faith any day and any time. And that is something that ought to be admired.”
Fani-Kayode spoke today, January 24, at the public presentation in Abuja, of a 341-page book, written by, and chronicles the two decades of Professor Ali Pantami in academia, both full-time and part-time.
The book, titled: “A Scholar’s Journey: Navigating the Academia,” covers the former Minister’s academic life across four continents – Africa, Europe, Asia and North America – from January 2003 to January 2023.
Speaking as chairman of the public presentation, Fani-Kayode described Professor Pantami as a public figure of ‘indomitable courage’ who has a true passion for national service.
“Professor Pantami is courageous about his faith. He is courageous about his academic achievements. He has been courageous in his political career. He has been courageous when it comes to his friendships and his loyalty to so many people.
“He has been courageous in his support and standing by President Muhammadu Buhari through thick and thin, which is something that is a great honor because most people when somebody is out of power, they no longer stand with that person. He has been consistent and clear and that speaks for him.”
Reviewing the book, the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed, said that anyone who knows Professor Pantami would not find it difficult to label him a scholar.
“Nobody will doubt his credentials as an influential Islamic scholar. Nobody in governance or in the academia will doubt the scholarly credentials of Professor Pantami in the broad discipline of computing, especially the area of cyber security.
“In his exemplary life in public service, first as the DG of NITDA, and later as Nigeria’s first Minister of Digital Economy, you will find an adequate basis for defining the basic constituents of the ideal academic in government or a multi-faceted scholar in national political space.”
Professor Rasheed said that the book is made up of 17 chapters, organically arranged in a linear chronological order, regarding its structural and thematic concerns.
“Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim’s academic autobiography is a remarkable book, crafted by a highly intelligent, resourceful, dynamic, charismatic, and culturally educated public servant and academician.
“The book itself is fairly well written, edited, and structured. It is reader-friendly and has a delightful technical finish. The language is simple but dignified, logical, coherent, authoritative, and thoroughly persuasive. ”
Also speaking, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum described Professor Pantami as a multi-faceted expert that has greatly impacted the trajectory of Nigeria’s technological landscape. He said that the ex-Minister is a leader who has demonstrated exceptional capabilities in the fields of administration and leadership, together with the academic world.
“This book is a chronicle of a remarkable life, one that has left an indelible impact in the realms of computing, cyber security, oil and gas, and technological innovation. Prof. Pantami’s tenure as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy was marked by transformative policies that have catapulted our nation into the digital era.”
Responding, Professor Pantami said that the new book will serve as a mentorship guide for the younger Nigerians.
“The book was authored to also share the experience I got while serving the general public and Nigeria as a nation.
“The current public officers will learn greatly from my successes and challenges while holding a public office for them to succeed. Aside from this book, I will sooner or later be unveiling five other ones I am currently working on, at the moment.”
The public presentation of the book was chaired by the Governor of Borno State.
Present at the occasion were Governors Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, together with former Governors of Lagos, Gombe and Ekiti States: Babatunde Raji Fashola, Senator Danjuma Goje and Dr. Kayode Fayemi and several Ministers (both serving and former).
