The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bola Tinubu

  • Tinubu’s attempt at exorcising ‘evil’ in the civil service

    There is this very interesting vibe that President Bola Tinubu seems to infuse into public administration since his assumption of office. Right from the Day-One, the day of his inauguration, when he, with just a proclamation, expelled a problem that seemed to have evolved a life of its own over the years, Jagaban has left no one in doubt that he is not here to fiddle, but to take steps leaders take, in other parts of the world, to make the homeland attractive to the rest of the world to be considered as serious.

    Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to say those who came before him fiddled away our time or resources, no, not by any translation of my thoughts. Even if they fiddled in any of the ways the word fiddle translates, this space is not created to voice that and I won’t pretend to know what other leaders before Asiwaju did well or not. Such will be an opinion I will rather keep personal for the time being. I am only trying to emphasise the essence of taking particularly determined and intentional actions, sticking by such actions, taking more steps to see them through to fruition. Our President has been showing capacity as a public administrator.

    An example of this intentionality in his ways and running of Nigeria will be the single-mindedness with which he has followed up on the all-important removal of the fuel subsidy. The policy hurts, as a matter of fact, both the people and the government have been impacted. He has consistently acknowledged the fact that he knows how it is hurting the people, especially those in the ‘desperately poor’ category. This has constantly put pressure on the state because from time to time, the pain has pushed the people to mount resistance. Some sections of the ruling class, especially in the traditional class, have even suggested a reversal of the policy to the President.

    Read Also; PBAT and unrelenting opposition (2)

    However, knowing his targeted end in the painful journey out of petrol subsidy, President Tinubu has maintained his focus and stoutly, and consistently too, refused the suggested summersault.

    When he met with a delegation from the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), led by its Chief Executive Officer, on Florizelle Liser, on Thursday at the Villa, Tinubu sent the message out again: “we are right in the middle of a challenging stage of our reforms. We have headwinds, no doubt, but we are not going back. We are challenged, and we believe we will overcome the challenges. I have a can-do attitude that must be translated into a must-do attitude. We have a good team, and we must remain focused to get the goal accomplished”. The message simply translates “I have a beautiful picture in sight and these passing inconveniences are not enough to rob this nation of that beautiful end. There’s no plan to abandon this struggle, not with all that Nigerians have suffered”.

    With this sort of vision and focus on the vision, it was not really a surprise when it later emerged that his meeting with the leadership of the Federal Civil Service, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Body of Permanent Secretaries, and some Director-Generals of federal agencies, was really not a tea party, as initial information portrayed. Sources inside the meeting said the President was angry at the people who ought to facilitate the execution of policies and programmes of government. He was said to have queried the crème of the civil service over sloppy attitudes towards implementation of policies and programmes. According to a source, the President was said to have wondered why they had been “abysmally slow in carrying out his people-oriented programmes.”

    Why would he be angry with them and not even minded if they were the top echelon of the civil service? It is simple. Jagaban is a man on a mission, focused on his mission and taking every risk and step to achieve his target. Here is a link in the chain of the executive, the very core of the chain, now behaving as if it has gone brittle. The President has constantly said he will spare no resource when it comes to ensuring that Nigeria comes out of the woods, meaning he is ready to provide all that is regarded as constituting the enabling environment to achieve his goal.

    So after making sure that all that is required is available, then the work men, who ought to use all he has provided to bring about the result, start dragging their feet, as though they are deliberately intent on ensuring his plans and efforts fail, how else would you expect him to react when he sees those seeming to be antithetical in the journey?

    Since the harsh effects of the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the Naira at the foreign exchange market started hitting both the economy and Nigerians hard, the President had come up with a number of cushioning programmes, aimed at providing temporary succor to citizens, while massive reorganization of the entire productive system goes on below the surface for the long term solution to the crises we see now. Programmes like provision of a single-digit loan of N1billion to 75 enterprises; N50,000 grant each for 1,300 Nano businesses; N75 billion for 100,000 businesses and startups; and the investment of N100 billion in gas-powered buses for mass transit had been put out to the public as far back as the end of July, but the population is still waiting for much of these to manifest so that the heat they feel can be eased. 

    “Let us make our children’s dreams come true. Why are we slowing that down? It is not just shameful. It is unacceptable. We made a pledge to bring our people out of poverty. You should not increase their vulnerability. Help Nigerians to get out of these problems, do not compound the tough situation with unacceptable delays”, the President said. Since there will be more of meetings like that of Thursday, Baba should be able to monitor the rate of effectiveness further and if there will be need for re-strategizing, he will know early enough.

    Meanwhile, the week was filled with many events and activities of impact. For Instance, on Sunday, while still in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he had attended the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), the President met with his Brazilian counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, discussing issues of mutual economic interest, especially in the areas of agriculture, trade and other areas.

    Returning to Nigeria from Addis Ababa on Monday afternoon, he swung back into action, starting with a directive on Tuesday to the management of the State House to immediately settle the electricity bill owed the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), a debt that had almost turned to some sort of embarrassment to the administration. Then on Same Tuesday, he made a couple of new appointments into federal agencies. For instance, he appointed Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari as new Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    On Wednesday, the President met with former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), at the Villa. It was actually the first time the elder statesman was visiting the President since he was sworn-in at the end of May last year. It was a time for him to discuss the headaches facing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which he currently chairs, with one of its founding fathers.

    Then he made more appointments; he appointed DCG Kemi Nanna Nandap as Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and Kahlil Gaga as Executive Director, Corporate services, at the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank.

    He also met with the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), Professor Benedict Oramah, accompanied by a delegation from Kings College Hospital, London (KCH), discussing issues, especially those surrounding the health sector.

    Then on Thursday, he continued with making new appointments, making for three agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy: the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited and Galaxy Backbone Limited. He also appointed Gbenga Alade as Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

    Those appointments happened late Thursday evening, after he had met with the top echelon of the federal civil service and had received the ECOWAS Judicial Council, which was led to him by its Chairman, who is also the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, at the Villa.

    Not much of the President was seen on Friday, but that was assumed to have been as a result of preparation for yesterday’s ECOWAS Summit, held at the Villa. We might not be able to make predictions about what should be expected this week, but one sure thing is it will be exciting because with Jagaban, there is no dull moment.

  • PBAT’s cost-cutting paradigm shift

    PBAT’s cost-cutting paradigm shift

    By Akinola Ayobami Steven

    SIR: In a ground breaking move towards fiscal prudence and conscientious spending, President Bola Tinubu took an unprecedented step to rein in excessive government expenditure when he directed a significant reduction in travel delegations for federal government officials on trips both domestically and internationally.

    The directive which cuts across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) also extends to the high offices of the president, vice president and the first lady.

    Addressing a press briefing at the State House in Abuja, the president’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale stated: “This directive will lead to a substantial 60% reduction in travel delegations across all government entities, including the offices of the President, Vice President, and First Lady”.

    The directive lays down clear guidelines for official trips, imposing stringent limitations on the number of accompanying personnel for both international and domestic travel. For instance, ministers will now be permitted a maximum entourage of four individuals on official international trips, while heads of agencies are limited to two accompanying staff members.

    Read Also; Police deny alleged kidnapping of 200 in Abuja

    In a noteworthy restriction, President Tinubu also capped the number of individuals allowed to travel with him on official international trips to a maximum of 20, whereas this number is significantly reduced to five for the First Lady. Similarly, the entourage accompanying the vice president on international trips is restricted to five individuals, extending to the same limit for the vice president’s spouse.

    The directive further mandates stringent protocol for domestic travel, stipulating that the president can be accompanied by a maximum of 25 staff members within the country. Likewise, the first lady and the vice president are restricted to 10 and 15 staff members, respectively, for official trips within Nigeria.

    The president’s resolute action to enforce stringent travel limitations across federal MDAs, including the highest echelons of government, marks a paradigm shift towards transparent governance and responsible stewardship of public resources. The directive heralds a new era of financial accountability, ethos of prudent resource management and cost-effective governance across all tiers of government. Its significance lies in the restructuring of Nigeria’s governance landscape towards financial responsibility and prudent utilization of public funds.

    • Akinola Ayobami Steven, akinolaa61@gmail.com

  • BREAKING: Tinubu signs N2.17tr Supplementary Budget

    BREAKING: Tinubu signs N2.17tr Supplementary Budget

    President Bola Tinubu has just signed the N2.17 trillion 2023 Supplementary Budget, which was recently passed by the National Assembly.

    Signing the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act at the State House this afternoon, President Tinubu had the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, in attendance.

    Others standing with the president at the brief signing ceremony, which was held in his office, included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji.

    Others at the signing were Senate Leader, Sen Opeyemi Bamidele; and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sen Olamilakan Adeola.

    Details soon…

  • Oyebanji, Afenifere congratulate Tinubu on Tribunal victory

    Oyebanji, Afenifere congratulate Tinubu on Tribunal victory

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court which upheld his February 25 election.

    Oyebanji, in a statement by his special adviser on media, Yinka Oyebode, described the judgement as “solid and detailed” and “a judicial sustenance of the mandate given to the clear winner of the presidential poll.”

    The governor also hailed the judiciary for upholding the truth, stressing that the judicial affirmation of President Tinubu’s election has confirmed the choice of the majority of Nigerians who elected the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer as President of the country.

    He said the Tribunal verdict has laid every doubt on the validity and authenticity of the presidential result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rest and served as proof that democracy and the rule of law are becoming firmly rooted in Nigeria.

    He noted that the latest judicial seal on Tinubu’s legitimacy would make Nigeria command more respect in the comity of nations as a beacon of hope for democracy in Africa and a model to other countries of the world.

    Read Also: No life lost to Ekiti flooding, says Oyebanji

    Oyebanji said: “I congratulate our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed all Nigerians for this judgement. It is not a victory for the APC alone it is a victory for democracy, the rule of law and the Nigerian masses. It is also a vote of confidence in the process that led to the election of Mr President.

    “The judgement is solid and well-detailed. There is nothing to add. I congratulate Nigerians and the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    The Ekiti state chapter of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) described the judgement as a well-deserved victory, saying the verdict further validated the fact that he emerged through popular votes.

    A statement by ARG publicity secretary, Michael Ogungbemi, appealed to all Nigerians to coalesce efforts with Tinubu to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

    The ARG called on the petitioners to rally around the current government in the task of evolving a nation that is progressive and prosperous, rather than toeing the path of division or stoking the ember of disunity.

    It said: “This ruling is not only a victory for Mr President and the party but also for the entire nation as it strengthens our trust in the judiciary and serves as a catalyst for a thriving democracy.

    “We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who played a role in ensuring a fair and impartial appeal process. Mr. President’s commitment to upholding the values of justice and democracy is inspiring and sets a remarkable precedent for future electoral cases.”

  • Tinubu, govs, minister, others attend Aisha Buhari’s Iftar

    Dignitaries, including some presidential aspirants, were hosted to Iftar dinner by the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    At 6:20 pm, some of the expected dignitaries had started entering the venue of the event, which was slated to take off by 6:30 pm in the invitation cards.

    The First Lady had invited all presidential aspirants, across all political parties, to the Ramadan Iftar, it was gathered that the event will also be hosting elected officials of parties.

    At the time the event took off, the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart,

    Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi; Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi were among the presidential aspirants attending the event.

    Also, Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; one-time National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Barnabas Gemade; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and oil and gas mogul, Tein Jack-Rich were also in attendance.

  • Tribunal Verdict: Justice served, democracy saved

    WITH the unanimous ruling of the Court of Appeal dismissing the Presidential Election Petition of PDP candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the rule of law came to the defense of democracy by affirming the sovereign will of the people. Their will was expressed during the February 23 election when a vast, compelling majority of the electorate cast their ballots for President Buhari to serve a second term as Head of State and Commander-in- Chief of our beloved nation.

    Whatever partisan side one might take, all must agree that today was a bright day for the administration of justice. The Court of Appeal rendered a comprehensive judgment of extraordinary thoroughness, reason and breadth on the many issues presented in this important matter. The court did so in the open air and before the television cameras that gave eyes to the entire nation to watch this fine moment for the Nigerian judiciary. The court did its job by following the law of the land wherever it might lead.

    As a Nigerian, I was proud to see both sides of this dispute behave with utmost civility and decorum despite the weight of the matters at stake and the intensity of the legal arguments presented. It is in this spirit that we must always seek to resolve even our most stubborn differences that we may emerge a stronger yet more peaceful nation.

    Former Vice President Atiku and his legal team put forth some imaginative, if desperate, arguments as was their right. They fought vigorously for their positions and were allowed to do so without pressure and without fear. No one used the power of the state to intimidate them in court just as no one used the power of the state to intimidate them during the election. As the court affirmed, the election was free and fair and the final result should stand.

    The PDP claimed that President Buhari was unqualified to run for office. To his credit, President Buhari took this assault against his character with customary grace. The court thoroughly vindicated him. Based on his education and the experiences gained through his fine career, the court determined the evidence presented by Atiku showed that the President was “eminently qualified” and had done nothing untoward in his election filings with INEC.

    Atiku also placed unfounded reliance on the assertion of the use of card readers to send election results to an imaginary server. The court found that the operative law did not provide for the alleged electronic transmission of polling booth results. Atiku could not present evidence that such transmissions ever took place. In fact, such transmissions were technologically unfeasible. Card readers were not meant for this task and the purported mystery server was but a phantom in the PDP’s mind.

    To their credit, Atiku’s team argued and pressed their case energetically; but in the end their claims were based on things that existed only in their minds. They were arguing what they wanted to have happened not what actually took place. The court, on the other hand, can only deal with facts at hand not the imaginings of the mind.

    Most importantly, the court found that the election was properly conducted and that President Buhari won by the wide margin counted and recorded by INEC. Atiku was given the chance to prove his case. In the end, he did not produce the requisite evidence. This failure was not from lack of trying; the failure was because such evidence simply does not exist. President Buhari won the election openly and honestly.

    I congratulate President Buhari for this resounding judicial vindication of his personal character and of his electoral victory. I know Mr. President as a magnanimous person who will reach out his hand in friendship to Atiku in the spirit of reconciliation, national tranquility and progress. We may disagree and argue as brothers but never as enemies who cannot resolve whatever difference that has come between us.

    The next step lies with Atiku. He can decide to continue with these claims or he can take the more prudent approach by accepting the express will of the people and placing his ample talents in the service of the nation in his private capacity.

    In the meantime, this day shall stand as a proud day for Nigeria, a day when the rule of law stood in full support of democratic elections and of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people to select the leaders of their choice.

  • Rafiu Tinubu, a passionate Lagosian — APC stalwart

    THE national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described a former head of the Lagos State Civil Service, the late Alhaji Rafiu Babatunde Tinubu as a distinguished public servant, passionate Lagosian and patriotic Nigerian.

    RAB, as he was popularly called, died on Wednesday.

    In a tribute to his  deceased first cousin  on Friday, Asiwaju Tinubu recalled the critical role he played “in helping to lay a firm foundation for the success of my administration during my two-term tenure as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.”

    “Coming into office as governor from the private sector, I knew that I needed a Head of the State Civil Service who I could trust and who would help forge a harmonious relationship between my administration and the public service on which the success of any government depends to a significant extent,” he said.

    “Nobody at that time could fit the bill as perfectly as Alhaji Rafiu Babatunde Tinubu. As a family member, he would understandably desire nothing but the success of my administration.

    “But much more than that, he had the requisite intellectual grounding as well as public service managerial experience, rising from the lower rungs to the upper echelon of the Lagos State Public Service between 1978 and 1999.

    “With a Bachelor’s (B.A) and Master’s (M.A) degrees in Political Science from the prestigious Howard University, Washington, D.C., USA, he joined the Lagos State Public Service in June 1978 after a teaching stint at the Department of Political Science of the then University of Ife between 1974 and 1978.

    Read Also: Tinubu predicts victory for APC in Kogi, Bayelsa

    “Before his appointment as my administration’s first Head of Service (HOS) in 1999, Alhaji Rafiu Tinubu had served with dedication and distinction in various administrative positions both in the State Civil Service and Local Government Service over a period of two decades.

    “His experience and dexterity in the complex politics of the public service was of tremendous value to my administration and helped to gradually build and sustain a cordial working relationship between the political class and the bureaucratic machinery of the public service.

    “I recall that at the inception of my administration, there was a protracted labour crisis between the government and the public service as a result of the new minimum wage of N7, 500.00, which the state was unable to pay at the time due to the near insolvent state of its finances.

    “Alhaji Tinubu’s experience and wise counsel played a crucial role in enabling us go through that difficult period and forge a relationship of mutual trust, confidence and respect by both parties especially as the capacity of our administration to meet our welfare obligations to workers systematically grew as a result of our far-reaching reforms. His advice helped us greatly in appointing a team of highly capable, experienced and dedicated Permanent Secretaries who played indelible roles in our administration’s success in laying a solid foundation for the continuing transformation of Lagos.

    “At the same time, we commenced during his tenure as HOS, the reorganization, reequipping and transformation of the Lagos State Public Service to the pride of place it occupies in Nigeria’s public administration today.

    “Alhaji Rafiu Tinubu was particularly passionate about recruiting new, talented hands into the Service, which commenced with the employment of 5000 fresh graduates into the civil service in Y2000 popularly known as the millennium staff. It is gratifying that these have today risen to critical managerial positions in the Service.

    “The late Rafiu Tinubu came, saw and gave his very best to the development of the Lagos State Civil Service, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. I condole with his wives, his children, the extended Tinubu family, all his loved ones as well as the government and people of Lagos State on this sad loss,” he said.

    He prayed that the  soul the “eminent member of our highly-respected family, Alhaji Rafiu Babatunde Tinubu, son of Dr. Abdul Hameed Saka Tinubu,” might find perfect peace with his creator.

     

  • Tinubu achievement revisited as Lagos PS bows out

    The progress achieved under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government was revisited on Monday as Lagos State rolled out the drums to celebrate its Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Folarin Adeyemi, who was bowing out from active service.

    Commending Tinubu for revamping the state economy through proactive reforms, they praised Adeyemi’s efforts at adding value through the Public Affairs Office and Ministry of Information and Strategy under his watch.

    The event, which doubled as his birthday, drew dignitaries from all walks of life, especially from key officers of past and present administrations and different ministries in the state.

    The proactive reforms that took place in the Public Affairs Office and Ministry of Information and Strategy under his watch were revisited as guests praised Adeyemi for his dedication to duty and forthrightness.

    Read Also: Why Lagos is magnet point for investors, by Tinubu

    They noted that his efforts added to the success of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government.

    According to Editorial Board member, The Nation and former Special Adviser/Permanent Secretary Information and Strategy, Segun Ayobolu, Adeyemi had a high sense of self-esteem and attached appropriate value both to his person and his profession as a government policy commentator.

    “The Ministry of Information and Strategy no doubt played a central and critical role in the eventual gradual and ultimately successful turnaround of the image of the Tinubu administration from that of a perceived non-performing, fault-finding government at its take-off phase to one with stellar and still undiminished record of exemplary accomplishments.

    “It was perhaps fortuitous that the celebrator of today happened to be representing the Ministry as Public relations (PRO) in the key ministries that helped transform the image of the administration positively through indelible achievements that were effectively communicated to the public.

    “The Public Relation Unit, under Mr Adeyemi innovative leadership came up with a unique strategy of exhaustively publicising infrastructural construction works before, during and after the commissioning of such,” Ayobolu said, who was the delivered the lecture titled the dynamics of public information management.

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Dele Alake, also praise Adeyemi intellect and sense of duty.

     

  • Buhari hails Benin Chief Edebiri at 90

    A BENIN high chief, David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom on Saturday marked his 90th birthday, which according to him was the first time he was marking his birthday.

    The event was attended by National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, Speaker Francis Okiye amongst others.

    President Muhammadu Buhari in his goodwill message to the Esogban by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, joined members of Edebiri family, friends and well-wishes in celebrating an important and respected son of Bini Kingdom’s rich culture and heritage.

    The President affirmed that many generations of Nigerians have a deep appreciation of Chief Edebiri’s devotion to Nigeria’s unity and prosperity over the years, beginning from his days of activism in the pre-independence period till now that he conscientiously aligns with the vision of this administration to take Nigeria to the Next Level.

    According to Shehu, “President Buhari values the goodwill and fatherly advice of the nonagenarian to this government even as he prays almighty God to grant the Esogban of Benin longer life in health and happiness.”

    Tinubu stated that they know what Chief Edebiri means to them as a political family, adding that one does not retire from politics because it is in the blood and DNA.

    Read Also: Buhari won’t give up on Leah Sharibu, says Presidency

    He observed, “Few minutes ago, we were told you are no longer in politics. I said no it is impossible. Politics must be in the blood. It is in the DNA. Chief Edebiri is still the leader of many of us.

    “We thank God for your meritorious life and service to humanity. You are a man who is honest and dependable. You have nothing to do with deceit, lies and misadventure. When you say go ahead and we look back, you are always there. You are a leader with integrity and you have carried yourself with honour.”

    Tinubu said Oshiomhole brought transformation to the state.

    Oshiomhole in his speech praised Edebiri for adopting him as a son and supporting his emergence as governor.

    The former Edo Governor said he would use any available opportunity to empower people from Benin Kingdom.

    He recalled how Chief Edebiri helped solved problems within the APC.

    Also, Yakassai said Chief Edebiri was among the few statesmen alive who fought for Nigeria’s independence.

    He said the next struggle after gaining political independence is to get economic independence. Yakassai said Nigeria has the largest market in Africa and the struggle is to make the market benefit Nigerians.

    He said they would continue to fight for the unity of the country, “We should struggle to make sure the market serve the interests only of our people. We will continue until victory is achieved.”

    In his response to the torrents of tributes, Chief Edebiri said it was the first time he was celebrating birthday since he was born.

    He said Oshiomhole did not disappoint him as a governor.

    Chief Edebiri released 90 pigeons to mark the birthday.

  • KAB Olowu gave his all to Nigeria, says Tinubu

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) National Stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has described Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola ‘KAB’ Olowu who died on Wednesday in Lagos as a foremost athlete and Nigeria’s nationalist who gave his all to the country.

    He said the late Olowu represented Nigeria in many international sporting tournaments, winning important laurels including being a ”Nigerian sprinter and long jumper who was part of Nigeria’s first delegation to the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand (now Commonwealth Games).”

    In a tribute yesterday to the late Oloriebi (patriarch) of the Tinubu family that he personally signed, Tinubu also said the late KAB Olowu’s life exemplified the goodness in the Tinubu family name.

    “Many of us in the family grew up under his watch and mentoring for which we remain eternally grateful. I particularly drank from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom,” Tinubu said.

    The emotional tribute titled ”Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola ‘KAB’ Olowu (OON) Foremost Athlete, Philanthropist and Nigeria’s Nationalist,” reads: “Alhaji Karim Ayinla Babalola (KAB) Olowu (OON) gave his all to Lagos, to Nigeria and to humanity. He was a foremost athlete who represented the country in many international sporting competitions and came back home with many important laurels. On Wednesday August 14 when he passed on to eternal glory, he was one of Africa’s oldest, if not the oldest Olympians.

    “Baba KAB was a philanthropist, committed nationalist and devout Muslim. He worshipped Allah with all his heart. From what he had, he pleasurably gave to mankind. He was the (Oloriebi) patriarch of the Tinubu family, taking over from his parents B.M.S. Olowu and R.A. Olowu (nee Tinubu). He was the first grandson of Madam Tinubu and Saka Tinubu. As the Oloriebe of the family, Alhaji KAB’s life exemplified the goodness in the Tinubu family name. He appreciably lived that name. Many of us in the family grew up under his watch and mentoring for which we remain eternally grateful. I particularly drank from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom.

    “KAB made immense contributions to Lagos. He served as the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Council. He was also the Chief Starter at the 1973 All-Africa Games held in Lagos, Nigeria. Papa served the country through athletics and in many other capacities. His sporting career began at St Paul’s Primary School, Breadfruit, Lagos where in 1936 he represented the school at the Empire Day Athletics in commemoration of the British Empire Day celebrated in Britain and her colonies before Nigeria’s independence in 1960. At CMS Grammar School in Lagos, he was the Sports Prefect during his time.

    Read Also: Tinubu greets Williams at 100

    “After his athletics career, he worked in the Nigerian Prisons Service. But he never left his love for sports. He was already working as a civil servant before he won a Federal Government scholarship to study Physical Education in Loughborough College Leicestershire, England in 1952 from where he graduated in 1955. To give back to society, he set up the sports complex at the Nigerian Prison in Kirikiri, Lagos where he worked for some years. He also set up the then Prisons Athletics club, which produced many athletes for Nigeria. He was for several years a prominent member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

    “He believed in Nigeria and was irrevocably committed to her greatness. Even in his old age, he spoke and dreamt of Nigeria’s enduring greatness. The many laurels he won for the country and the honours he brought to Nigeria from many international tournaments are apt testimony to this immutable commitment to Nigeria.

    “Papa’s laudable contributions in sports are worth recalling.  He was that Nigerian sprinter and long jumper who was part of Nigeria’s first delegation to the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand (now Commonwealth Games). He was among the first group of Nigerians to participate in the Olympic Games and was particularly at the 1952 Summer Olympics Games. At the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Canada, he won silver medals in long jump and the 4 x 110 yards relay, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win two medals at the Commonwealth Games.

    “It was no surprise that as a result of these international sporting accomplishments, he became the first Nigerian to officiate at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica. He was Nigerian team manager to the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada. Later in 1992 at the Barcelona Olympics, he emerged the first Nigerian Olympic torch-bearer.

    “Baba KAB would be sorely missed by family, friends, associates and all those who encountered him. My prayer is that Almighty Allah accept his soul and grant him Aljanna Fridaus. May He also imbue all of us in the Tinubu and Olowu families and indeed all those he left behind the strength to continue in his absence.”