For a week the Nigerian political space was lined up with series of activities for the birthday of the former Senator, Bola Tinubu.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu
The Lagos state council leaders commenced with days of tributes to the outstanding leadership qualities of Tinubu, the house of assembly followed with an extra ordinary legislative session.
Speakers of the Lagos house of assembly, members, the Lagos state governor and other political leaders reeled out litanies of achievements of the former Lagos state governor to the admiration of the people.It was a double celebration as thousands of well-wishers thronged Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the Wednesday programme to felicitate with the former governor and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.
As he turned 60, and also launched a 317 page book titled “Asiwaju Leadership in troubled times,” eminent Nigerians and well-wishers poured encomiums on the politician for his tremendous contribution to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
Some Nigerians described him as an icon and a living legend.
The Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku who chaired the occasion of the book launch said that such gathering was a way to tackle Nigeria’s challenges which includes economic growth and development.
He stressed that “no one can deny the fact that there are major challenges of insecurity, decline in health and education standard” which he said should be addressed.
Anyaoku described Tinubu is “an effective advocate of federalism and a dedicated activist for the return of democracy in Nigeria.”
the federalism question
Leading the pack of those, who answered and raised more national questions was the Chairman of the occasion, former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyoku, who informed the audience at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel that he accepted to chair the occasion because of what Tinubu represents.
Unlike other fora, where much time was expended on praising the person in whose honour the event was convened, Anyoku avoided entertaining the audience with Tinubu’s achievements.
Rather, the first class diplomat delved into pertinent issues of national significance, which had lately constituted threats to the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Holding the audience spellbound, Anyoku observed that if Nigeria must survive its current multifaceted crises, the current 36-state structure must give way for a federating nation of six regions.
“I do believe that rather than our present system, current unitarist federalism will better promote peace, stability and development in Nigeria’.
Tinubu...ACN leader
“To return to true federalism, we need a major restructuring of our current architecture of governance. We need six federating units instead of our present 36 states which only sustains an over dominant centre but also compels the country to spend less than 74 percent of its revenue on the cost of administration’ he said.
He stressed that, “if the existing 36states must be retained, they could be made developmental zones with minimal administrative structures within the respective six federating units. I do not believe that we can successfully tackle the serious challenges currently facing our country on the basis of our existing constitution and architecture of governance’’.
For this to be possible, Anyoku suggested fundamental changes in the 1999 constitution. He said, “without far-reaching changes to the 1999 constitution and present governance structure, our quest for peace, stability and development will remain elusive. And to effect such changes, we need a national consensus which can only come from a dialogue among representatives mandated for that purpose by the citizens of this country.
“I must hasten to say that my support is for a national conference without the epitaph sovereign. This is because we already have in place an elected structure of governance that includes the presidency in which the citizens have for sometime vested the sovereignty that truly belongs to them”.
“In other to give it legitimacy and better chance of enduring, the outcome of the national conference must be submitted to a referendum of the population of the country and to those who feel that a national conference at this time would lead to the break-up of the country. I would say that the benefits accruing to the country and all its citizens from its size and strategic location are sufficiently weighty and obvious to outweigh any temptation to dismember the country”
First republic four regions
Going down memory lane, Anyoku observed that, “there was no doubt that Nigeria was making more progress in national development in the early years of its independence when it practised a true federalism of four regions with more extensive powers devolved from the centre to the regions, those were the days of the significant export of groundnuts, hides and skins and the tin ore from the North, Cocoa from the west, rubber from the mid-west.
There were also the days of such achievements of free universal primary education and introduction of television in Chief Awolowo’s western region’.
Anyaoku however stated, ‘We need to convene a national conference of appropriately chose representatives of the six geopolitical zones to dialogue on how to face these serious challenges. I believe that if we are to recapture the zeal with the then regional premiers and their electorates, we should aim at getting national conference.”
Also revisiting the national question, an elder statesman Alhaji Maitama Sule, regretted that he does not know what is wrong with Nigeria.
He however, hailed Tinubu’s leadership qualities, just as he urged others to emulate him. Sule said Nigerians should strive to raise leaders and not looters.
Other highlights of the programme were the launch of a book, entitled: “Asiwaju Leadership in troubled times”, edited by seasoned journalists; Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye and Segun Ayobolu; cutting of the anniversary cake by the celebrant, and introduction of the ‘Tinubu Institute of Policy and Governance’ to the public http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifc.
The book was reviewed by a frontline journalist, Kunle Ajibade and the occasion was also used to introduce the Tinubu Institute of Policy and Governance to the public.
Tinubu agreeing with Anyaoku on national conference said there was no alternative to it. He described it is the main issue staring the country in the face.
He urged Nigerians to embrace the option and thanked all for honouring him.
The former governor spoke on the value of team effort, stressing that it is crucial in public administration.
A birthday with a difference
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifColloquium—From left: Hon Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of House of Representatives; Chief Bisi Akande, ACN National Chairman; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Celebrant and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and chairman of the occasion, at the 4th Bola Tinubu Colloquium- 'Looking Back, Thinking Ahead'- to commemorate his 60th Birthday yesterday in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez
His tenure as governor
Reminiscing on his two-term tenure as governor, Tinubu said: “Those days were trying period. Any captain can steer the ship in a voyage, but it takes exceptional leadership and cooperative team to chart a new course. With procrastination, there will be no result. Without a team effort and team spirit, there will be no success. I learned team spirit from the private sector.”
Roll call
Dignitaries present were former Chief Justice of Nigeria Mohammed Uwais, former governors Lucky Igbinedion (Edo), Diepreye Alamieseigha (Bayelsa), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), Aremo Segun Osoba (Ogun), Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), Abubakar Audu (Kogi), Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Aregbesola (Osun), Fashola (Lagos), Aliyu Babangida (Niger), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dr Doyin Abiola, former Punch chairman Chief Ajibola Ogunsola and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
Also at the event were House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Prince Bola Ajibola, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu, Senators Ganiyu Solomon, Gbenga Ashafa, Segun Obadara, Sani Abu, Femi Lanlehin, Ajayi Boroffice, Abba Buka Ibrahim and AyoAdesegun.
Others were former presidential candidate of the ACN Nuhu Ribadu, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Alhaji Yakubu Balogun, Justice Christopher Segun (rtd) Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, Ayo Opadokun and rights activist-lawyer Femi Falana.
The dignitaries also included Osun State Deputy Governor Grace Laoye-Tomori, Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Mrs. Oprah Benson, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, Mr. Moruf. Akinderu-Fatai, Apena Kaoli Olusanya, Pa Adebayo Faleti, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Chief Fred Agbeyegbe, Mrs. Abba Folawiyo, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Dr. Adebayo Adewusi, Mr. Ayo Adewale, Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Ambassador Segun Olusola, Mr. Ayilara, Mr. Demola Seriki, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Chief Funso Ologunde.
Others are Prof. Ropo Sekoni, Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, Mr.Awodeyi Akinsehinwa-Apata, Iyiola Oladokun, Sir. Pius Akinyelure, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Prof. Wale Omole, Prof. Adebayo Williams, Dr. Jayeola Ajatta, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Ademola Sodiq, Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Olorunfunmi Basorun, Rotimi Obadofin, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, Louis Odion, Shettima Yerima, Chris Ekwilo, Femi Gbajabiamila and Babatunde Adewale Jimoh.
Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday described former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tibubu as a committed democrat who fought even the military for the return of democracy in Nigeria.
In a goodwil message to the national leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, on his 60th birthday anniversary, Ekweremadu who noted that Tinubu is another gift from the Senate, stressed that he has contributed immensely to the growth of democracy and good governance in the country.
accolades from political soul mates
Tinubu is a committed democrat – Ekweremadu
According to a statement signed by the Deputy Senate President Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, the Deputy Senate President said the sexagenarian will always be remembered for his dogged and selfless struggles at the height of military impunity and dictatorship in the country.
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