The immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr Boss Mustapha, on Saturday said his decision to undertake a library project and donate it to Lutheran University Nigeria (LUN) to mark his 70th birthday was borne out of the need to better the lives of the younger generation.
Dr Mustapha spoke in Demsa, Adamawa State, during the official handover of the library complex.
The former SGF urged young Nigerians to see his life, as the son of a classroom teacher, as a template for building a successful life regardless of their background.
He also advised Nigerian youths to remain determined, reflecting on his life journey as proof that anyone can achieve success regardless of their upbringing.
“If I, as the son of a classroom teacher, can make it, then you can equally make it regardless of your background,” he encouraged.
“I want my life to be a template for the younger generation. Do not allow your background to define your life—use it as a stepping stone.
“My decision to undertake this project is borne out of the need to better the lives of the generation coming after us.
“My father was a classroom teacher who rose to become a headmaster at the Government Science School founded by LCCN.”
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“I urge you, the younger generation, to remain determined and use my life journey as proof that anyone can achieve success regardless of their upbringing,” the former SGF urged.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the facility was named the “Wesley Mustapha Library Complex” by the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN), Most Revd. Musa Panti Filibus, in honour of the celebrant’s late father, who was a devoted teacher.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, commended Mustapha for choosing to invest in public education rather than personal luxury to mark his 70th birthday.
Also speaking, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, described the library complex as a monument to knowledge that would serve generations of scholars across the state and the country.
In his remarks, the Archbishop of LCCN, Most Revd. Musa Panti Filibus, said the gesture represented an enduring contribution to tertiary education in the North-East region of Nigeria.
The Archbishop urged well-to-do Nigerians, especially those from the North-East, to emulate Boss Mustapha by supporting more developmental projects that would benefit the younger generation.