Nigeria’s intellectual and policy community converging in Abuja, for the official launch of three seminal books authored by Dr. Jumai Ahmadu.
Speaking, the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the publications as intellectually rich and timely, noting that they collectively speak to Nigeria’s journey, institutional growth, and the values that sustain public service and personal purposes.
She said, the Evolution and Development of the Federal Capital Territory “provides a critical documentation of Abuja’s transformation,” While When the Spirit Whispers offers “moral clarity, purpose, and inner conviction in leadership and daily life.”
“The Evolution and Development of a Federal Capital Territory (Second Edition), “When the Spirit Whispers, and Steward of the Nation: The Role of Civil Servants in National Development,” have extolled the importance of documentation to national development.
On Steward of the Nation: The Role of Civil Servants in National Development, she emphasised that it underscores the indispensable role of civil servants in national development, reinforcing professionalism, accountability, and service as pillars of effective governance.
The Minister commended the author’s dedication to knowledge and nation-building, encouraging readers to engage deeply with the books as they align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Former Minister of State FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, described the launch as timely, stating that, “Nations most deliberately preserve their history and strengthen governance structure.”
She noted that the book, “The Evolution and Development of a Federal Capital Territory” deepens understanding of the FCT as both an administrative centre and a symbol of the nation’s unity, adding that the publication reinforces Abuja’s place, not just as Nigeria’s capital, but as a living symbol of unity.
keynote speaker, Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche declared that it was not merely a book launch but it is a moment of reflection. A moment of reckoning. And perhaps, a moment of national redirection.
She described the three books as architecture of place spirit and service, stressing that national transformation is not an event marked by applause. It is discipline repeated daily over years.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, unveiling the books, underscored the value of documentation.
“One of the biggest assets any generation can have is having something written.
“The works would unite us in knowledge… and enhance the unity of this country,” he said.
The author Dr. Ahmadu described the milestone as the fulfilment of seeing a dream coming into reality.
Explaining the timing of the second edition of The Evolution and Development of a Federal Capital Territory with the celebrationof the golden anniversary of the creation of FCT, she noted, “50 is a milestone, something has to be put out there that will tell the story of Abuja from individuals’ accounts.”
She emphasised that the book contains “first-hand information of how the city evolved,” capturing voices of engineers, planners, labourers, teachers, politicians and traditional rulers.
She said, “Anywhere you find yourself, ensure that you leave something, no matter how small… nobody is too poor to give and nothing is too small to give.”
Book reviewers, including Professor Sale Dauda, Professor Armstrong Idachaba and 12-year-old Rukqayya Abdulrahman, commended the author for expanding national discourse and enriching Nigeria’s body of knowledge.
The launch closed with a resoounding call to reflection, stewardship and nation-building.