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Tag: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

  • Lagos agog as Tinubus become women leaders

    Lagos agog as Tinubus become women leaders

    All Lagos markets were shut yesterday in honour of a new leadership.

    The traders simply moved to Iga Iduganran, palace of Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, who installed Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the Iyaloja of Lagos.

    The Eleko also installed Alhaja Fatima Bintu Tinubu, wife of the late police chief Kafaru Tinubu, as the Iyalode of Lagos.

    The installation was held at the palace in Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island, amid tight security.

    Mrs Tinubu-Ojo succeeded the former President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, who died on June 15.

    As a mark of honour, all markets in the state were shut. Traders thronged the palace to felicitate with their new leader.

    Clad in white lace, Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo, was blessed by Oba Akiolu, who urged her to carry out her functions patiently and always consult with other market leaders on issues affecting members.

    He prayed that her reign would be successful.

    The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo, prayed to God to grant the Iyaloja and Iyalode long life and prosperity.

    He said: “I pray Lagos witnessess more development during your reign.”

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu thanked the monarch for bestowing the honours on her family.

    She congratulated Oba Akiolu on his 70th birthday and 10 years on the throne.

    The senator said: “I pray our new Iyaloja-General would always know it for better. The marketers will derive more joy during her reign, just as they did during the reign of her predecessor.”

    She urged the traders to cooperate with her as they did with the late Alhaja Mogaji.

    Mrs. Tinubu said: “The new Iyaloja-General is a humble person. She is very respectful and has a listening ear. The marketers will find her humane and sociable.”

  • ‘My reservations about National Conference’

    ‘My reservations about National Conference’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke with reporters, shortly after his return from a medical trip abroad. EMMANUEL OLADESU, KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE were there.

    What is your state of health now?

    It is a great joy to be back. It is good that we are back and I really appreciate your concern and this great gathering. I am returning today after I had left this country, almost three months ago, for medical attention. Among those who contributed to this are great Nigerians, well qualified, who have moved out of the country because there are no facilities, no equipment. No such opportunities in Nigeria. The surgery was successful. Among those who attended to me were physiotherapists, who did the job that I must get well quick and return to the country. This is the first ever and the longest period of my absence from Nigeria’s political scene. Since 1993, it has never happened. The only time something like this happened was when I was in exile. Since 1999 that we returned, I have never been away for more than one week not even personal vacation. I am glad that I am back. I am fit and able, and many of you cannot compete with me on a 2.5 kilometer race now. If you want to try me, I will get down, we can run and see who wins. I know so many people will be lagging behind.

    You were not around when the APC was registered. What is the next stage after the registration?

    I am proud to be part of the group of Nigerians, who are determined to say enough is enough in the political landscape. That we should not continue to allow terminates, rodents, to promote corruption, unemployment, destitution, lies and unfortunately, ineptitude in government. Our determination is to have a political platform, where true democracy will be promoted by all Nigerians. We got to a stage that we finished all the documentation before I was confident that we will be registered in a country where there is the rule of law. I am glad the baby was not aborted; the baby was born. That baby is the new hope, a new platform. This new platform is a rescue platform. It is not a replica platform of the past or of the same old way. It is a reversion, it is a redefinition and rescue mission for Nigeria. You own it. All Nigerians owns it. All Nigerians must be determined.Political success is not a game of bystanders. It is not a game of spectators. You journalists know the principle of this party, the objectives of it and, if you buy into it, you will be able to see whether this party can rule Nigeria. And definitely, we will do that.

    What is your reaction to the National Conference being proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan?

    This dialogue is for who and by who? Government is about trust. I am standing with the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola. Go to Osun and look at his programme and you will see that his people trust him. If Aregbesola says a road will pass here today, people believe him because the road will pass there immediately. The level of deception in the country is very high. Now, they have adopted public deception as their strategy. How many months to the elections? How long have we been talking about it? why suddenly? Now, there is something in political history and social history. They say beware of Greek’s gift. It is only a very smart rodent in a house full of little crumble of poison that will survive the trappings of the owners. Let us, first of all, ask series of questions. But I need to consult with my party , but I see a contradiction here. I will discuss with my party. I see a diversion here. I will discuss with my party. I see deception here. I will discuss with my party. I see lack of honesty and integrity here. I will discuss with my party. It is time to look at our own agenda and develop it. Nigeria is being deceived. So, where is the sovereignty? What about the electoral act? What about the Lemu Committee? We have not had white paper or green paper out of that. Why now? How many months to the elections? Can’t you smell a good soup when it is well cooked? Can’t you smell bad one that stinks? Can’t you smell the odour of the deception when it is passing by? It is left for our party and all of us to note all these developments. You inherit the assets and liabilities of your predecessor. This President was the Vice President when Umaru Yar’Adua told the world that the election process that brought him to office was floored and he promised that he will do something about it. He started and set up a panel of eminent Nigerians up to look into that process, where Justice Mohammed Uwais, with great eminent Nigerians, sat down to look at the matter. Where are the reports that came out of that deliberation? They chose to compromise the electoral process, they chose to dwell on corruption and the INEC.

    Some people are calling for the postponement of the 2015 general elections because of the proposed national conference. What is your reaction?

    That is the saying of a thief who wants to continue to hand on to the opportunity, who is enjoying and stealing and want to continue to have that opportunity. What are you postponing about election? Is it with the head you walk or with the feet? You must stand on something. You say democracy and sovereignty of this country is about the National Assembly. But I argued then, that sovereignty belongs to the people. Now, there is a diversion. where is the agenda? I want to say that you should beware of the poisonous gift. But I cannot conclude here today, unless I consult with my party. I can only express my own feelings. I am a democrat. If the party says go this direction, I must follow them to that direction.

    What is your reaction to the recent plane crash involving the children and relatives of former Governor Segun Agagu and those planning for his burial?

    Agagu was a committed family man. Tunji (Okunsanya) was a close friend of every one of us. But God has done one thing. He has shown us his wonders. In the midst of all of these, Feyi Agagu survived, his brother-in-law survived. He has given room for us to give thanks to God. Addressing the government, I think we are talking to a deaf ear. Nigeria’s aviation is a risk. We have never allowed professionals to run the aviation industry. We created too much bureaucracy, ‘kinsmanship’. We allow ethnicity and mediocrity to intervene in our decisions. We play with the lives of Nigerians. We have no infrastructure. This runway that we landed on is one of the worst in the world. It does not meet world standards, You allowed non professionals, fraudsters, corruption to dominate the ministry. The ministry should have nothing to do with all agencies. The professionals in the Ministry of Aviation should be adequately trained. They should be trained and retrained to meet the world standards. The independence of decisions is important. You allowed mediocre to take decision. You abuse me politically or you ground Ameachi any time you want to do so. You can stop Oshiomhole anytime you wish like doing so. Is that a way to value peoples’ life? Where are the professionals? where are the engineers? What is the age of the plane and the records of maintenance? But when they have already compromised the office, they waste our valuable lives and time. We have to remove corruption. That is a cancer in our society. We have to remove ethnicity and clannishness in our society. It is a shame on our society.

    Some were speculating that, due to illness, you may not be able to walk again…

    This is my leg. You can see it for yourself and it can do what it has been doing. Before I travelled, I disclosed to Nigerians that I was going for medical attention in order to avoid this kind of speculation, but they chose to speculate. I thank God that I am back. I thank Nigerians for their prayers. I thank my well wishers for their overwhelmingly concern. They were concerned about my health. They were concerned about the rumour. You don’t have to listen to them. This speculations came up as a result of their idle mindedness, lack of employment and not being occupied with serious issues. I say God Almighty will forgive those who spread the fictitious information. God forgive them because they did not know better. I want to thank those who personally, through visits and telephone messages, to express their love and concern for my wellbeing. I never felt appreciated as much as what I witnessed at this period. It is unfortunate that I came home at a time a tragedy occurred to this country. One of our great politicians, in person of Olusegun Agagu, passed away suddenly and in the process of his burial, there was a tragedy again. So, many lives were lost. It is a sad and depressing period in our country. It is a sad commentary that those who render service never value the quality of life of our people. The quality of service being delivered in the country is appalling. They have not subjected the service to merit and professionalism. They have not dwelt on the capacity building and the development of our industries. Aviation is one of the most regulated, simpler to be used, but what is in existence is nothing to talk about. The control mechanism was not really the challenge. Even, if you have all the mechanisms well placed, whether it was checked in the appropriate way is another question. If it was not properly done, that is corruption. We have too much bureaucracy that has crept into the system. Instead of allowing the professionals to independently handle the agency, like it is done in other countries, reverse is the case here. My condolence goes to chief Olu Falae and others who lost their beloved ones in the crash. We have promises of enquiries into these sectors. But who are the ones making the inquiries? Do they have the knowledge? Do they have the intellectual of professional inquisitiveness? What we have is superficial inquiries in Nigeria. Now, it is left for us to raise the issue and follow it for safety of our people in the industry.

  • QUOTE OF THE DAY

    QUOTE OF THE DAY

    “With the latest drama in the Rivers State House of Assembly, the PDP is at it again. The ruling party has inflicted yet another mortal injury on Nigeria’s democracy. As the House reconvened after a recent adjournment due to a police failure to provide adequate security to this legislative body, thugs hired by sinister forces allied to the powers in Abuja were unleashed on the unsuspecting majority in the State Assembly. While the House was to consider a necessary budgetary matter, a cell of five legislators, making a mockery of their title as lawmakers, had plotted anarchy in their own chamber. They engineered this coup against the very body in which they serve.

    This group of five and their sponsors attacked the other 27 members and the deputy governor who was making a presentation on a budgetary matter pending before the House. All this occurred under the watchful eye, but idle hand of the police officers deployed to guard the chamber.

    We can say the police in Rivers became an accomplice to an illegal attack on the very government and constitution they pledged to uphold. This was a shameful moment but even worse, it is a likely foretaste of the partisan role the police will take in coming elections.”

     

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on The Rivers State House of Assembly Crisis.

  • Fashola mourns Mogaji

    Fashola mourns Mogaji

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has described as a great national and personal loss the passage of the pioneer Iyaloja /President General of the Market men and Women, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

    In a condolence statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, Governor Fashola said the mother of  the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu throughout her life time was a forthright defender of the people and their right to economic empowerment.

    According to the Governor, this peculiar trait is evident in the personality of her  son , Asiwaju Tinubu, a leader with the love of the people at heart.

    The Governor said Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji was a frontliner in the commercial development of Lagos State, particularly Lagos Island, which was formerly dominated by the Lebanese and Greek merchants.

    “She was one of the pioneer traders, who ventured into the capital intensive and risky business venture of importation of consumer goods, thereby breaking the monopoly previously enjoyed by the foreign tradesmen and her business acumen attracted the attention of Multi-National Enterprises operating in Nigeria then, who had no option but to register her as a business partner and distributor of their consumer goods in Nigeria.”

    Describing the late Iyaloja-General as a great matriarch, the Governor said Alhaja Mogaji did not limit her business and social networking to the confines of Lagos State alone, but  was always seeking for the welfare of market men and women as well as ways of opening up more business opportunities for them.

    “This attribute of hers must have informed the unanimous decision of all commercial traders regardless of ethnic, religious or political persuasion to select her as the pioneer Iyaloja/President-General of Nigerian Market Men & Women. A position she has handled with utmost responsibility and diligence, he said.

    Praying for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed, Governor Fashola expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola and his family, to the ACN National Leader, the entire Tinubu Family and the people of Lagos for the great loss.

  • Opposition party will rebuild Nigeria, says Tinubu

    Opposition party will rebuild Nigeria, says Tinubu

    Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, declared yesterday in Kano that the opposition parties remain resolute in their desire to reconstruct Nigeria into a sturdy and bright home that will terminate the prevailing poverty rate, unemployment and insecurity.

    Asiwaju Tinubu, a key player in the promotion of the All Progressive Alliance (APC), said the country is sufficiently blessed with leaders endowed with the ability to turn the nation around by chasing away, “the demons,” whose activities have remained a source of impediment to the general growth of the Nigerian society.

    He spoke at the Third Convocation of the Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil and the conferment on him and other prominent Nigerians of honorary doctorate degrees of the institution.

    “History teaches that those who stay resolute shall win in the end; we are resolute for there is no shame in wanting democracy, no shame in wanting prosperity, fighting against poverty, ignorance and diseases, just as there is also no shame in believing in justice, striving for a better life and demanding good governance,” he said.

    The ACN leader, who was honoured with the Doctor of Science, Honaris Causa in recognition of his immense contribution to the development of academics, said “a heavy cloud hovers over-head and there seems to be no woe by which we are not besieged: poverty, unemployment, diseases, religious and ethnic divides as well as terror, sadly, our house is weak because of poor infrastructure.”

    He added: “To lift this nation from its low state, you must equip the people with the knowledge needed to face the challenges on ground. Education is a practical dynamic thing that must be adapted to our needs and reflect our circumstance; it must give us the skills needed to become architects of the destinies we seek and not idle bystanders in our lives.”

    Citing the crisis in the education sector, he said: “we should not abide by a system whereby 1.7 million candidates seek admission to universities, where only 500,000 places exist in both private and public universities.”

    He said it is dangerous for the country to ” give our people skills for jobs that do not exist, while the work at hand goes undone because of lack able labour,” and expressed the determination of the APC to “create the change that will render extinct Boko Haram and other violent movements across the land. In the face of increasing progress and prosperity, such groups shall remain where they belong; small, fringe and inconsequential. By wedding innovative technology and good governance, we guide the nation to her better future.

    “There will be no need to even contemplate a state of emergency in Nigeria, there will only be a nation and 36 states of emergence towards development, prosperity and hope.”

    Tinubu described the award as a symbol of unity and hailed the authorities of the University for considering him and others worthy of the honour.

    His words: “We are one in Nigeria regardless of cultural, religion or political differences. I am touched to the heart by this expansive gesture. In doing this, you ignored the imaginary divide between North and South because of your nationalistic courage; you recognise no such divide exists except in the minds of those who would keep us down, divided and at each other’s throats.

    “In your wisdom, you realise that we are one. Come what may, we shall remain one. I commend your courage and wisdom. You must maintain this standard because we need this type of courage and wisdom to see our nation through its current tumult. Although storms break all around us, we shall not faint. We shall not cower in fear for our purpose is right and our ways are democratic and just.”

    Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, who is the founder and visitor to the University, in his speech recalled the commencement of academics in the university in 2001 with 548 students, pointing out that today, “twelve years later, the University is graduating 696 students for the 2011/2012 session with a total enrolment of almost 10, 000 students and 23 academic programmes.”

    According to him, the university’s projection is that a decade from now, it will have a students’ population of 25, 000.

    Also honoured yesterday were Senator Hamisu Musa; the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar; and the late Alhaji Mudi Spikin.

    In his brief speech, the institution’s Chancellor, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, congratulated the graduates and wished them a successful career in their future endeavours, urging them to be good ambassadors of the institution.

    At the ceremony were former military Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abiola Aimobi (Oyo), former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former EFCC Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Malam Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    Also there were ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Muhammed; the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Bilayaminu Usman; former Governor of Benue State, Senator George Akume; Bashir Adamu; Senator Kabiru Gaya, Kawu Ismaila; former Minister of Labour, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe; Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje; Chairman of Kano Elders’ Forum, Alhaji Magaji Dambatta, former Deputy Governors of Kano State, Abdullahi Gwarzo and Magaji Abdullahi .

  • Students hail Tinubu’s appointment as Chancellor

    Students hail Tinubu’s appointment as Chancellor

    For students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, the appointment of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as their Chancellor is well-deserved. They are full of expectations because, according to them, “something good will come out of the appointment”. Describing Tinubu’s appointment as historic,” they said it was one of the best things to have happened to the institution in its 25-year history.

    LAUTECH, which was founded in 1987 during the administration of then Colonel Adetunji Olurin, is owned by Oyo and Osun states.

    It has campuses in both states.

    In 2009, there was a row between the owner states. Then former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala claimed that the institution belonged to the state alone. Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola disagreed, insisting that it is jointly owned by both states.

    The disagreement affected the smooth running of academic programmes and staffing. Workers took sides with their state of origin, resulting in bad blood and distrust.

    In April 2010, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Babatunde Adeleke, was sent on terminal leave by Oyo State government. He was replaced with Prof Olanrewaju Nassir, who was unilaterally appointed by Alao-Akala.

    Following Alao-Akala’s ouster in last year’s election, the crisis was resolved. Nassir was removed and replaced with Prof Adeniyi Gbadegesin in acting capacity.

    With Tinubu’s appointment, the students believe that the gains made by Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Abiola Ajimobi in repositioning the institution will be consolidated. They said they expected Tinubu to bring his experience to bear on the university’s administration.

    The Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU) described Tinubu’s appointment as timely and “putting a round peg in a round hole.” Its national Vice President, Abdullahi Adeyemi, said Tinubu would use his experience as a leader to stabilise academic programmes and restore lasting peace to the university.

    He said: “We cannot but thank Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Abiola Ajimobi for the wisdom in the choice of Tinubu as the Chancellor of our great university. Asiwaju’s disposition to development of education in Nigeria cannot be underrated as everybody can see his achievements in Lagos.”

    Ibrahim Oladele, LAUTECH chapter president of the union and 500-Level Computer Science and Engineering student, said there would now be unprecedented development in the institution.

    A students’ group, Asiwaju Leadership Forum, praised Oyo and Osun states’ governors for “taking the bold decision to rescue LAUTECH from going down.”

    The group’s national co-ordinator, Sikiru Akinola, 300-Level Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), said: “We remember how Asiwaju Tinubu waded into the ownership tussle created as a result of disagreement between two former Peoples Democratic Party governors. The two Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governors, on assumption of office, amicably resolved the matter and the school began to retrace its steps.”

    He congratulated LAUTECH students on the appointment and enjoined them to support the Prof Gbadegesin administration.

    Tosin Aderonmu, 400-Level Mechanical Engineering, LAUTECH, said: “I pray and hope that Tinubu would help change some of the abnormalities in the school. If this is done, the university would be one of the best in the world. Also, he must look into the high school fees we pay here. I am sure my fellow students would be happy if he achieves this feat.”

    Daniel Edjeba, 300-Level Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology, said: “My expectations from Asiwaju Tinubu’s tenure as Chancellor are high. I hope he would use his experience to bring more equipment into the school to aid learning. We need good laboratories and more lecture halls.”

    To Elizabeth Edjeba, 400-Level Computer Engineering, if Tinubu could use his clout to reduce tuition fees, he would be her hero.

    “I want the new Chancellor to use his influence to reduce tuition fees because many students struggle to pay the fees. In fact, some even missed exams because they could not raise the money.” Elizabeth said.

  • I was invited to Democratic Party’s convention, says Tinubu

    I was invited to Democratic Party’s convention, says Tinubu

    •Tells PDP to face governance

    Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola  Tinubu  returned to Lagos yesterday from the United States of America (USA) and said he was properly invited to the just concluded convention  of the Democratic Party where President Barack Obama was nominated for the November election.
    He deplored the  “unwarranted” criticism of his attendance at the convention, espec ially by the PDP. The ruling party, he insisted, lacks the moral right to query the mode of his invitation to the convention, having failed to address the issues of electricity and inability to put food on the table of the average Nigerian.
    The Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN) leader said he seized the opportunity of the convention to discuss with great minds  ideas that are central to the development and sustenance of democratic institutions.
    Tinubu said: ”It is unfortunate that we have not been able to distinguish between public contact and a proper democratic convention. There is a great exhibition of Nigerian ignorance and those scavenging power in its corridors.
    “They do not even appreciate  the fact that we fought for democracy.
    During the struggle for this democracy, there was a lot of precedence and people outside this country are still watching us.
    “ I  was at the convention. I was invited properly.Who are the people asking me to prove anything?
    “Is it about the high rate of unemployment in this country? Is it about the inability of the ruling party to provide food on the table for hungry Nigerians? Is it about the state of electricity in the country that they cannot privatise properly  without blackmailing the former minister of power, who the government forced to resign because they have an agenda of turning everything into a family affair?
    “The ruling party should busy itself with the infrastructure  that is lacking in this country. There is need for our leaders to share knowledge with others to know what we need and how to move the nation forward.”
    The ACN leader hailed the  robustness of the American democracy, which he said is based on ideas and the resolve of its leaders to create a platform for promoting values and vision.
    On the lessons Nigeria could draw from US leaders, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “Our  airport, is it a friendly one that is inviting business and tourism we should take Nigeria and its governance more seriously?
    “I represented my party, ACN,  the progressives  at the convention with Hon. Dele Alake, Speaker Adeyemi  Ikuforiji. Whatever they insinuate does not bother me. I am glad I represented my party.”
    On the chances of the ACN in next month’s  governorship election in Ondo State, TInubu said: “We are working hard for the October  gubernatorial election  in Ondo state. Our candidate is working hard and the party is working very hard.
    All our structures are in place and as long as the election is well monitored and controlled, we are very sure of victory.”
    Commenting on the killing  of the US ambassador in LIbya, TInubu  said: “We need to pay more attention and not lip service to  the question of security. The world is getting smaller because of technology and the wild rumours that have no credibility can cause  problems of security.
    “It has become a serious problem all over the country and we have to pay special attention to security effectively and not just react but be very proactive.
    “Look at the case of Oshiomhole‘s  PA that was murdered. The case is disjointed, uncoordinated between the police and the SSS,  parading different suspects; they are not communicating, not sharing information for the good of  Nigerians.“
    He described the planned introduction of N5000 bank note by the Central Bank (CBN) as a clear  invitation to devalue the naira.
    He said: “N5000  is a  clear indication of depreciation, a clear devaluation. They failed economically in  this  country. The ruling party should pack their load and go. Nigerians should be wiser.”