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Tag: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

  • Mikel Visits Tinubu at Bourdillon to promote football

    Super Eagles Captain and Nigeria International John Mikel Obi may not be playing football at the moment, but he has a packed schedule while on vacation in Nigeria.

    The China based midfielder has been in the country with his wife and twin daughters who are visiting for the first time since the end of the Chinese Super League.

    On Monday, the former Chelsea player visited the Bourdillon residence of the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu also a football enthusiast.

    The reason for the visit was not disclosed but it must have centered on football.

    Mikel was dressed in a white long sleeve shirt on black trousers and was accompanied on the visit by a friend.

    The Tianjin Teda of China ace has, made the headlines for not only bringing his family  to Nigeria, but also for launching a football clinic in Lagos.

    On Sunday, Mikel launched the catch them young football foundation meant for discovering young talents in Africa in Lagos were he availed the medium to advise kids with talents and interest in the round leather game.

    ”I decided to come up with this foundation to give back because I am a Nigeria, and I am a product of Pepsi Academy and I decided to give back to the society what I have gained from the society, “ Mikel said as he encouraged upcoming kids to give their best on education and football.

  • 2019: You’re going nowhere, Tinubu tells Atiku

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday said that the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),  Atiku Abubakar is going nowhere in the 2019 election.

    Tinubu, who was a former Governor of Lagos state, was reacting to the meeting of Atiku in Dubai over 2019 election.

    Read Also:PDP alleges smear campaign against Atiku

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, Atiku can meet anywhere to strategize but Nigerians will not vote for him.

    When asked if he was jittery about Atiku meeting in Dubai to unseat Buhari, he said “We don’t fear, whether it is in the jungle, or is in Dubai or is in Abu Dhabi, people are free to meet and strategize in any way they form but we are not going back to the illusion of the PDP.

    “It is not possible, Nigerians will not do that. They say slow and steady wins the race; we inherited that from our forefathers and knowledgeable people.

    “We can’t go back to the pit that we inherited for 16 years. They can strategies from anywhere but a leopard cannot change it skin,” he said.

    Asked if he is in support of Oshiomhole’s removal, he said “No. We all have to respect the party supremacy. You were all here when we had the Congress, we elected the new executives, the convention we had it, the NEC was formed and we surrendered to avoid conflict, to avoid domination, to avoid abuses of power, we surrendered our rights, all rights to the National Working Committee headed by Adams Oshiomohole.

    “That the National Working Committee should set up electoral bodies to supervise various state congresses and elections. ’We signed off for it’. So, if it is not in our individual favour, so be it.

    “We gave three options, consensus, where there is no consensus because if you are more than two or three and you cannot agree to one candidate, you go to the next level.

    “The next level is the stakeholders delegate and you have to be supervised by the National Working Committee of the party, national election committee of the party. That shows party supremacy or the freest option, the less cumbersome is to open direct primary, line up and count the number, 1, 2, 3.  If you win, you win and if you fail, go home.

    “Then appeal committee was set up to listen to all appeals, internal mechanism for conflict resolution. It was there, you cannot turn round against that, you cannot turn against all of that.

    “No. Party is supreme, party must be respected, abuses will not do it and anger will not do it. It is party politics, somebody will win and somebody will lose, too bad.” he stated

    On the purpose of his visit to the Presidential Villa, he said, “The meeting is about the nation, the country, our people, peace, stability and economic progress.”

  • Welfare of my constituents paramount, says lawmaker

    The member representing Oshodi/Isolo 11 State Constituency and House Committee Chairman on Commerce, Industry and Co-operative, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu (KSM) has said the welfare of members of his constituency will be paramount in his mind.

    He said he was overwhelmed by the confidence they reposed in him and their belief in his ability to still provide them with quality representation. This, he said, was why they voted for him during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency 11 primary election to represent them at the Lagos State House of Assembly in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    Excited with the success he recorded at the election, he expressed his unalloyed gratitude to the untiring efforts of party loyalists in his constituency.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos shortly after the election, Hon. Idimogu, popularly known as Abundance, said he was also grateful to the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him another opportunity to serve the people of Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 11 in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    He said: “I am unreservedly grateful to the National Leader of our great party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing me another opportunity to serve residents of Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency 11 in the Lagos State House of Assembly in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. My sincere gratitude goes to the leadership of the House; Hon. Bayo Osinowo and Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly for the unparalleled love they have shown to me throughout the period.

    “I also thank, in a special way, our highly esteemed Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area, Hon. Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye and the Executive Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello for the excellent roles they played during the contest and all our party Chairmen in Ejigbo and Isolo respectively.

    “I express my gratefulness to our Commissioners, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy and Hon (Dr) Abdul-Hakeen Abdul-Lateef, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, for their unalloyed support.

    “To other contestants, I appreciate your spirit of sportsmanship displayed during and after the election. We will continue to work in synergy for the progress of our great party. May the good Lord continue to bless us as we work in unison for the development and advancement of our dear party.”

    He appreciated his wife, Lolo Roselyn “for her unwavering commitment to this course and for standing by me through thick and thin,” even as he thanked members of “Team Abundance” for their absolute support.

    The lawmaker pledged to redouble efforts in serving members of his constituency, even as he stated that his second tenure in the House as the representative of his people would usher in new vista of development.

    Idimogu said the welfare of members of his constituency would, more than ever, be his primary concern.

    On the chances of the APC being successful in the 2019 general elections, Idimogu expressed optimism that his party will record resounding success at the local, state and national levels.

    He said: “One of the good things working for the APC is unity of purpose. From the Ward to the national levels, the party has shown that it is focused. It has also shown unwavering determination to make the country better than it met it in 2015. The party has been working assiduously to get the country out of the woods.

    “Most of the promises the party made to the electorate that brought it to power at the centre are carefully implemented. For instance, the war against corruption is being intensely carried out. Again, moving the economy from being oil-dependent to a diversified one where agriculture will play major role in sustaining economic growth is one of the policies that the APC-led Federal Government is not paying lip service to.

    “Social investment programmes launched by the Federal Government are also on course. These are policies deliberately evolved to enhance the welfare of the people, especially the youth. These are some of the successes recorded by the APC administration that no one can repudiate.”

  • Ambode congatulates Sanwo-Olu

    ***concedes defeat
    ***urges Lagosians to join hand and move state forward

    Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has congratulated the winner of the Lagos State governorship primaries held across the State on Tuesday, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Ambode in a televised broadcast on Lagos Television, LTV, on Wednesday said the interests of Lagos State must always supersede that of any person or group.

    He urged all Lagosians to immediately support the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 elections and work for the success of party.

    He said, “Fellow Lagosians, the last few days have witnessed intense political activities that have gripped the attention of the nation and created palpable tension in the polity.

    “I strongly believe that the time has now come for the State to move forward in order that the gains of the last three and half years are not lost.

    “APC is a great party and the interests of our beloved State must always supersede that of any person or group. It is in this regard that I wholeheartedly congratulate the winner of the Lagos State APC Primaries, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu”

    “As Governor, I will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition in the remaining period of this administration and ultimately to the new Governor, come May 2019.

    “I therefore appeal to all our party members that we remain one family and unite behind the candidate of the party, so that we can continue to move this state forward.

    “The progress of Lagos state is non-negotiable. It is a project that I have passionately worked for in the last three and half years as your Governor and one to which I will forever be devoted.”

    The governor thanked APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and leadership of the party at state and national levels as well as all party faithfuls and all Lagosians.

    “I thank all Lagosians for their faith and trust in me. I urge you not to relent in your support for our party as we prepare for the General Elections.

    It would be recalled that the APC governorship primaries held across the state on Tuesday and Ambode’s fellow contestants was declared as winner of the primaries at the end of the exercise.

  • Oyetola‘ll deliver on healthcare, says Tinubu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, will deliver on his healthcare promise, party’s national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Wednesday.

    He spoke at the Osogbo Stadium during a visit to the venue of the free health mission initiated by Oyetola.

    Read Also:Osun guber poll: Lasun campaigns for Oyetola

    The free health care mission which started about 10 days ago had been taken to major towns in the state with about 30,000 people now treated. It will end Thursday with a round of treatment in Oyetola’s hometown Iragbiji in Boripe local government area.

    Tinubu, who received big ovation from those who turned out for treatment, told them that the APC candidate would “deliver on his promise to make good healthcare available to citizens” after taking office.

    He urged the beneficiaries to take their destiny in their hands by voting for Oyetola on Saturday.

    Tinubu told them that in democracy, “the only way to put a government in place is through the ballot box when people vote in their leaders.

    “You must ensure that you use your votes to bring in a credible leader who can deliver on his promise, by voting Oyetola.”

    He offered prayers to them in Islamic and Christian ways and promised those who unable to get treated that after his victory, Oyetola would assist them.

    Tinubu, who was accompanied by Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, Osun State Commissioner for Heath Dr. Rafiu Isamotu and Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology Remi Omowaye, said Oyetola after he became the APC candidate, proposed the idea of a free medical mission which he supported.

    He expressed happiness that the efforts had been worth the while after listening to the testimony of some of the beneficiaries who promised to lead the campaign for Oyetola’s victory.

    Two men David Seriki and Francis Adewunmi said they had cataract surgery on h which almost left them blind.

    Two women Silifatu Ganiyu and Hanah Alabi also gave similar testimonies on the eye surgery.

  • My aspiration has nothing to do with Tinubu – Sanwo-Olu

    Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Wednesday that his aspiration has nothing to do with the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but about taking a new Lagos to the next level.

    Speaking with newsmen at the APC national secretariat after submitting his nomination form, Sanwo-Olu who is widely referred to as the announced candidate of the former Lagos state governor expressed confidence that Lagos state will be better off with him as governor of the state.

    Read Also:Atiku: why PDP didn’t snatch Lagos from Tinubu

    He said that as a three time Commissioner, two time Special Adviser and head of the biggest corporation in Lagos state, he has the acquired experience to run the state.

    He said “There is no doubt that things will be said here and there. I am a full grown man with several years of experience. Like I said, it is about the Lagos of our dream and the Lagos that we want to take to the next level and so, it has absolutely nothing to do with our leader.

    “There is no denying the fact that he has been our national leader and he plays that role not only in the state, but at the national level. He has interest in the improvement and wellbeing of the Nigerian dream.

    “So, by extension, Lagos is a dream that he is passionate about and we will continue to refer to him as our leader. The most other things, is that I am in front of you, this is who I am and this is what I have come to express to you and Lagos will be a better place for all of us.”

    On the supposed controversy generated by his entrance into the race, Sanwo-Olu said “the truth is that I not in Ambode’s shoes right now and what has been generated is a reflection of the fact that people have come to understand and know the kind of person that I am.

    “A whole lot of us had to redefine the Lagos project. This is not the forum where I will begin to roll out to you the very many first that people think were done by some other individuals, but there were other people behind them, that brought out those ideas, policies and implementation plan.

    “There are so many first that I can begin to attribute to myself in the 11 years that I have had to do in the public service. Like I said, I have served three different governors and in three different ministries, serve twice in the governor’s office, Head the biggest agency of government.

    “So, the blueprint that we have been looking at since 1999 was out together by some of us. We are all friends, but it is politics. For me, I think this is the time. I have always told my children; that whatever you believe in stay on that course. So, if I cannot also do what I preach, I will begin to regret when I am 75 that I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”

    Asked why he is contesting the governorship of Lagos at this point in time, he said “I am someone that is over 50 years old, infact I am 53 years old. More importantly, in the last 30 years, I have spent 16 years in the private sector and 11 in the public sector. I have been three time Commissioner, two time special Adviser, I have been Managing Director of the biggest corporation in the state and has served about three governors.

    “So, I have had a dream to obviously contribute more as a Lagosian, as a son of the soil and just to let our people get to the level where they know that governance is all about people, what they expect and what you throw back to them to them to improve the cost of living and security of lives.

    “Given the number of years of my experience in the public and private sector, I think it is appropriate for me now. Certainly, I am not going to wait until the not too young catches up with us. So, it is better for me to bring that aspiration to bear today.”

    The aspirant would not be drawn into the issue of endorsement and a supposed stakeholders meeting saying “I am in Abuja now and certainly cannot know what is happening in Lagos. You are in the media and so have access to information that I don’t have. When I get to Lagos and there is a meeting called by the leadership, I will attend the meeting.

    “But in terms of endorsement, it is a work in progress. People have been asking questions, wanting to know the type of person that I am. I certainly will never say it is hurray because it is a journey and not a destination.

    “It will be very presumptions of me to stand before you and begin to imagine that 57 Chairmen have endorsed me. That mean I am going to sleep. That will not be so.

    “The mandate groups are my people; we are in the same family and will continue to work. It is Lagosians at the end of the day that has the bills to pay. We will ensure that we are not restricted and will get to all those we need to get to and not take anybody for granted”.

  • Election: Aspirants refute endorsement claims

    Some aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos have refuted claims that some candidates have been endorsed by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to them, members of the party who are interested in contesting for any position in the next year’s elections should be ready to undergo primaries.

    This, they said, is the stand of Asiwaju Tinubu when he addressed party members at the state secretariat in Acme.

    Arising from a meeting that involved virtually all the aspirants at White House, Oshodi, party faithful back the party’s call for Direct Primary to select candidates for the general elections.

    One of the conveners of the meeting, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Oshodi Chapter, said Direct Primary will give all party members sense of belonging.

    Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the multi-billion naira projects ongoing in Oshodi.

    Oshodi residents, he said, cannot afford to disappoint the governor in the general elections, hence the need for party leaders and members in the council to put the house in order.

    Former Vice-Chairman of the council, Kayode Tinubu said the party leaders have assured members that nobody has been endorsed.

    “We do not want to have a repeat of the 2015 election where the party lost some vital elections in the council, hence our coming together as a party with our leaders to speak with one voice and assure our members that nobody has been endorsed,” Tinubu said.

    House of Representatives aspirant Olamilekan Adekoya said the aspirants are prepared for the primary.

    “The best we can do for ourselves in Oshodi-Isolo is to go for Direct Primary and more so, Asiwaju Tinubu has said it at Acme (the party secretariat) that he has not endorse anybody. So, nobody should tell us that he (Tinubu) has endorsed him,” Adekoya said.

    APC chieftain Wahab Sadiq called for unity among the aspirants, noting that the party leaders will be just to all of them.

  • Indirect primaries: ‘Fifth columnists in APC Working against Buhari’s victory’

    Senator representing Zamfara Central in the National Assembly, Senator Kabiru Marafa has said that some fifth columnists are working within the APC to frustrate the electoral victory of the party in the forth coming general election by insisting on conducting indirect primaries using a flawed list of delegates that emerged from a flawed congresses that are currently being challenged in court.

    Marafa who spoke with newsmen at the national secretariat after obtaining his nomination form to contest the governorship ticket said the initial plans was to conduct the primary through indirect option so that people can challenge the victory of the President on the excuse that his nomination was done with a list of illegal delegates.

    He said the currently leadership of the party, working in concert with the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu saw into the future and decided to isolate from such plot, insisting on conducting the Presidential primary through direct primary.

    Read Also:Katsina, Kaduna, Rivers, Imo APC adopt indirect method to pick candidates

    The Senator who said he would conduct his own primary through direct option “because I am challenging the flawed congresses in court”, said it is quite obvious and clear to all that those who are pushing for indirect primary do not mean well for the party and does not want the party to win the forth coming general election.

    He said: “I said it after the congresses that I see the activities of fifth columnists in the APC that know they cannot defeat President Buhari in the general election. So, the common fear is the fear of second term of President Muhammadu Buhari. The issue then was if you cannot beat directly, how do you beat him indirectly? That was why the congresses were done, deliberately in such a way that they cannot withstand legal scrutiny.

    “In more than 21 states, there were parallel congresses and like I said that time, I don’t need to be a lawyer, or a retired judge to know that what held in most of the state was nothing but rubbish.

    “The APC said at that time, that anybody that is desirous to contest any party office should go to the bank and make so so payments and produce the teller and collect form to contest.

    “The party constitution provides for consensus. But in the absence of consensus, there should be election. Most of these states, people made payments into APC account, obtained their tellers but the governors feel they were demi-gods who must be worshipped and are the ones that can determine the attitude of every human being in Nigeria and we said look, you cannot do that.

    “There are some of us that are radically inclined, you can’t threaten us. That is exactly what happened. Now, glory be to God, under the present leadership of the APC, they saw that these people don’t mean well for this party and decided to insulate the president. That is why the APC said, Presidential election is by direct primaries.

    “This is an admission of failure of the congresses in the States. I am very happy that the APC has protected the President because their intentions (the fifth columnists), was that after general elections, people would go and challenge the election of the President and say the President was voted for during the primary by illegal delegates.

    “The National Chairman is a very wise person, highly experienced, and is working with the leader of the party, Chief Asiwaju, who can see through machinations and do the right thing. The rest is for us, States, we can sort ourselves out, we know ourselves, we know where we came from, we know all is political.

    On the issue of whether to use direct or indirect primaries, he said “I wrote the party through my lawyers because I am in court, challenging the illegality of these congresses and I have absolute confidence in my God, I have confidence in the judicial system of Nigeria. I believe they are going to do the right thing, because it cannot stand anywhere.

    “Having seen that we conducted parallel congresses, I don’t recognize what they have, they don’t recognize what I have. The party here is at liberty to do what they want to do, the very NWC recognised a faction, but thank God, we have the judiciary, we are there, I believe it may take some time, but the judiciary will do the right thing.

    “So, we opted for direct primaries and the reason is simple. We don’t want to be like them, we don’t want to be selfish, we want APC to win Zamfara, they don’t want APC to win Zamfara, they don’t want APC to win Nigeria. There are some of the technicalities on those things but it doesn’t matter.

    “I will do my direct primary with my with my own set of executive, they will do their indirect with their own set of executive. So, when the time comes for the court to rule, if they say Marafa is right, they will go home and retire. If the court says they are right, will I going home and retire. Thank God I have done business before I came to Senate.”

    Speaking on his ambition, the Senator said “I am not overly ambitious by nature. So, the driving force behind my ambition now this time around is the condition under which my people in Zamfara state live today. The issue of insecurity in Zamfara state is a matter of concern for everybody let alone somebody like me who a section of Zamfara State has done a great thing, that I am representing the state now.

    “The attitude of the government in Zamfara state dictates that all sons and daughters of Zamfara must put their hands on deck to ensure that we deal with the issue of insecurity decisively because one can say without fear of any contradiction that as we live today, there is no government in Zamfara state.

    “It is a common knowledge that the governor has variously been described as an absentee governor. It is a common knowledge to all that when the people of Zamfara State needed the government to tackle the insecurity, the governor absconded and he came out publicly to say that he had resigned his position as Chief Security Officer of Zamfara State. In a civilised democracy, he was supposed to resign or be forced to resign.

    “When a state governor comes out to say that he has resigned his position as Chief Security Officer and is sitting tight on the seat, spending security votes, spending the money allocated to that State, I don’t know what that is supposed to be called.

    “I don’t envy anybody aspiring to be the governor of Zamfara State. I believe that I have a responsibility to the people of Zamfara State and the zone I represent who honour to me. I also believe that no amount of sacrifice is too much for the people of Zamfara State.

    “In 2011, we contested against the Federal government, the state government and the local government. We contested under the platform of the ANPP which had no Federal government at that time, no state government at that time, no local government at that time.

    “I have faith in my God and my people stood solidly behind me because the way and manner the then PDP treated me. They said go to any party that will take you and I went to ANPP that didn’t have anything and by the special grace of God, my people brought about government of Zamfara state at that time because they gave the winning votes.

    I’m sure it was not our power, it was not anything. The people believed in us and I believe the government of Zamfara State of today has failed and I think I have a duty as somebody that contributed most in bringing about that government and I believe it is the time for me to pay back to my people.”

    Marafa who is one of the most vocal Senators in the current National Assembly said honest and sincerity of purpose are the two major things needed to address the current security challenges in the state, saying “the minister of internal affairs once had course to say that if you like, deploy all the military in Nigeria to Zamfara, they can achieve nothing because the government on ground is not interested in anything.

    “Like I said earlier, the governor has been variously an absentee governor. As I am talking right now, he is not in this country. Imagine, the Chief Security Officer has been absent in his country for more than 9 days, men and women are fleeing their hometowns.

    “In Zamfara, between 2011 and today, we have lost over 15,000 people. If you take a minimum of two wives per person, that means we have minimum of 30,000 widows. If you have a minimum of four children per person, we have 60,000 orphans. Who is feeding these children? Nobody is asking, nobody is interested, there is no IDPs in Zamfara, nobody is asking these questions, who is taking care of these widows?

    “Recently, when the Federal ministry of agriculture distributed grains, Zamfara state was missing. I was emotional at the floor of the Senate to make a case for Zamfara State. This is the duty we have. As Nigerians, we all have responsibilities.”

     

  • Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu urges Nigerians to help one another

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to assist one another.

    He said: “I would like to enjoin us to provide service for fellow Nigerians and come to one another’s assistance where and when necessary.”

    Tinubu spoke yesterday in Ikeja, Lagos during the luncheon and award ceremony, as part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of Anwar-Ul-Islam College Agege (formerly Ahmadiyya College) Old Students Association (ACAOSA) international convention.

    Represented by the Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, he said the occasion called for service.

    “This moment calls for service to our people, selfless service, the type that birthed this great institution. As Muslims, our religion enjoins us to engage in service. In fact, service to Allah and mankind is the essence of Islam. Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) said and I quote: “The teachings of the Holy Quran can be divided into two major categories. The first being unity of God, love and obedience to Him. The second is to treat kindly your brothers and fellow beings… be kind and merciful to humanity…always work for the good of mankind.” This injunction to do good to mankind is also true of other religions.  It therefore gives me great joy to be part of this occasion, which is part of activities marking the 70 years’ anniversary of Anwar-ul-Islam College, Agege, the first Muslim College in West Africa.”

    He said the institution was established by the Muslim group, Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, formerly Ahmadiyya Movement, in a bid to achieve a twin-objective: promotion of Islamic religious beliefs and provision of quality education to our people-.

    “This responsibility set for themselves by the founding fathers of this institution was a difficult and daunting one, given the prevailing situation at the time. At that time in the 1940s, Islam was under severe strain in Lagos as the Christian missionaries were reportedly putting pressure on Muslim students to renounce their religion before they could gain admission to secondary schools. This group of thinkers then got together to bail their children and wards out of this situation by not just creating an educational platform for its teeming religious populace, but also using the same means to expand the frontiers of Islam. Thank God both were amazingly accomplished.

    “For me, however, the inception of this historic institution and the excellent achievement of its founders is a thing of pride and pleasure. For among those forefathers of this institution is our own Saka Tinubu.  As a matter of fact, Anwar-ul- Islam College was established as Saka Tinubu High School, Olushi, in 1948.

    “By establishing a clear vision and sharing that vision with others, so they followed willingly and realised these our fathers had demonstrated good leadership. We must therefore salute the courage and sagacity of the founding fathers of this institution. We must commend them for their selfless service. Our own task is to continue to build on this legacy by ensuring that this institution and all that it stands for is maintained and sustained. Their legacy must not be allowed to die,” he said.

    ACAOSA President-General Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the school, which was established to satisfy the yearnings of Muslims for higher western education, was also opened to non-Muslims without fear of losing their identities or religion in line with the injunction of the Holy Qur’an that there is no compulsion in religion.

    “This is a happy occasion for ACAOSA, old students of the ace, who know what is meant by being loyal, honest, hardworking, dedicated and prayerful to God as being taught everyday in the college. It is these values and ideals merged with the education we got from the great college that snapped and moulded us to who we are today,” he said.

     

  • Dogara, APC, Osun Assembly greet Tinubu at 66

    Speaker, House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday felicitated with All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 66th birthday anniversary.

    Dogara, in a congratulatory message, described the former Lagos State governor as a dogged and rare breed politician, who mentors new generation leaders for future challenges.

    He hailed Tinubu’s relentless commitment and sacrifice for democracy as well as his track records of service, mentoring and outstanding accomplishments.

    Dogara added: “You are indeed an astute politician, patriotic leader and democrat of high repute, who has the track records of mentoring and supporting upcoming leaders to accomplish their dreams.

    He said: “I commend your courage in leadership and abiding faith in the ideals of democracy and the Nigerian project.

    “On behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, I congratulate you on this milestone and pray God Almighty to continue to strengthen you and bless you with good health and long life for service to the nation and humanity.”

    The APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said: “We attest to Tinubu’s progressive and patriotic contributions towards efforts to deepen democracy and ensure good governance in the country. As a frontline politician, he has built lasting political bridges and alliances across divides in the country.

    Read Also: Tinubu will resolve APC crises, says Oni

    “As a National Leader of our great party, APC, we particularly reference his contributions to the growth and our electoral successes. As he carries out the presidential task of reconciling members of our great party, we once more assure him of our support in ensuring the success of this important task.

    “The APC family wishes him many more fulfilled and healthy years of service to our great party and nation.”

    To the Osun State House of Assembly under the leadership of its Speaker, Najeem Salam, the former governor is a quintessential leader, determined democrat, whose life is committed to the course of the masses.

    A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said Tinubu has over the years distinguished himself as a strong voice for good governance, democracy and succour to the vulnerable people.

    The Assembly noted that the state among several states of the country has benefited and still benefitting from Tinubu’s political prowess, which the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been demonstrating since his election.

    It urged Tinubu to remain focus, undeterred as all eyes are on him to continue to lead as a shining light for democracy in Nigeria and Africa.

    The parliament wished the politician a healthy long life full of prosperity as he adds another year.