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Tag: Fasanmi

  • Birthdays: President greets Fasanmi, Onabule

    President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly congratulated national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi, who turns 94 today.

    He praised him for consistently projecting the noble and progressive ideas of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also joined family, friends, professional and political associates of the pharmacist who joined politics to serve the nation at a young age in his birthday celebration.

    The President noted that Pa Fasanmi has demonstrated his love for the country by working for the welfare of the poor and underprivileged, and holding leaders to account for their promise of good governance.

    President Buhari recalled that as a legislator, who served in the House of Representatives and Senate, Pa Fasanmi’s focus on people shaped his life philosophy and politics.

    He noted that government can only remain relevant when it caters for the needs of the vulnerable and voiceless.

    President Buhari acknowledged Pa Fasanmi’s courage in standing for democratic governance and fighting for democratic ideals and values.

    He prayed that the Almighty God will grant him longer life, good health and strength to keep serving the nation.

    The President also joined family and friends in celebrating with Chief Duro Onabule, renowned journalist and columnist, who becomes an octogenarian today.

    He congratulated the former editor for his courage and steadfastness in serving the country.

    In statement by Adesina, the President affirmed that Onabule’s consistency in his chosen career had benefitted the country a lot, starting out at the dawn of Independence in 1961 and rising steadily to work with many print media houses, like the Daily Sketch, Daily Express, Daily Times and Concord newspapers.

     

    President Buhari hailed the veteran journalist for upholding the highest standard of professionalism in journalism by investigating and projecting the truth, ensuring balance and accuracy, and confidently pushing for inclusive and responsive government that caters for ordinary Nigerians.

    As he turns 80, the President congratulated Chief Onabule for serving the country with his talent, treasures and time, especially in crucial times that deserved personal sacrifices.

    President Buhari prayed for longer life, good health and prosperity for the octogenarian.

     

  • Fasanmi felicitates with Osoba at 80

    Afenifere leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi has felicitated with the former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

    In a statement in Osogbo, Osun State capital, through his Media Assistant, Mr. Temitope Adebayo, the nonagenarian leader described Osoba as a nationalist who deserved to be celebrated.

    Fasanmi said he had known the celebrant since he was a journalist during the Action Group days, noting that he was a rare breed professional who practised journalism diligently with the fear of God.

    Read Also: Photos: Osinbajo, Fayemi, Abubakar, others celebrate Osoba at 80

    He said in terms of commitment and dedication to journalism, is worthy of emulation.

    Fasanmi recalled that Osoba joined the progressive politics as governor of Ogun he ruled the sophisticated state with the progressive Ideology which engendered tremendous development acrosss the State.

    According to the Afenifere leader, during the NADECO days, the roles played by Osoba could not be overemphasised, adding that the history of this present dispensation would not be complete without mentioning the name of Osoba for the great roles he played.

    He prayed that as the former governor joined the group of octogenarians God would also grant him good health and longer life to join the nonagenarians like him.

  • It’s time to rescue Yoruba -Fasanmi

    The National Leader of Egbe Afenifere, Pa Sen Ayo Fasanmi, has said in as much he is still alive, he would not allow anybody to sell out whatever belongs to Yorubas.

    In a statement through his Media Assistant, Mr. Adebayo Temitope, he said it  was time for the Yoruba to speak in one voice.

    According to him, the only  Afenifere that has the Yoruba interest at heart is the one headed by him.

    He urged people to turn up for the next meeting that would come up on 29th April 2019, at his resident in Osogbo, because the interest of Yoruba and Nigeria at large is going to be discussed.

    He urged all the states chairmen of Afenifere and members to be present.

  • Fasanmi felicitates with Southwest’s elected politicians

    National Leader of the socio-political group, Afenifere Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba, Senator Ayo Fasanmi has congratulated newly elected political office holders in the Southwest on their victory at the just concluded general elections.

    In a statement by his media, Temitope Adebayo, the Second Republic senator said he was happy to felicitate with winners, irrespective of their political parties.

    He advised the politicians to always see election as a game in which one either loses or wins, and therefore asking them not to see election as “war” or a “do or die” affair.

    Fasanmi called on the newly elected political office holders to see their new roles as opportunity to serve the people, who voted for them into office.

     

  • Fasanmi congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo

    The National Leader of Yoruba socio-political organisation, the Afenifere Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has described last Saturday’s presidential election as one of the freest and fairest ever conducted in Nigeria.

    In a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr.  Adebayo Temitope, the Second Republic senator congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemu Osinbajo on their re-election.

    He described their victory as the return of progressive government to power, adding that now “is the time for the nation to make use of the golden opportunity to stabilise itself politically and economically”.

    According to him, the victory is about the confirmation of the people’s acceptance of the performance of the Buhari administration in the last three and a half years in office.

    Pa Fasanmi hailed residents of the Southwest for supporting Mr. President and their faith in Afenifere Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba, by standing firmly for progressive legacy handed over by the great sage, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Fasanmi assured Nigerians that the second coming of President Muhammadu and his vice, Prof. Osinbajo will further ensure the end of “corrupt politicians, who have decided to turn the country into Federal Republic of Corruption.”

    He maintained that “Buhari is a man of his word who will fulfil all the promises he has made to the people of Nigeria.

    Fasanmi urged Nigerians to be patient and prayerful to God so make the next four years bring the best for the nation.

  • Fasanmi to Southwest: vote APC

    NATIONAL Leader of the Yoruba political group Afenifere Egbe Igbimo Yoruba, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has advised the six South West states to cast their votes for Muhammadu Buhari/ Yemi Osinbajo ticket in the Saturday’s presidential poll.

    In a statement, the elder statement said casting their votes for  Buhari and his deputy, Osinbajo, would guarantee a secured and better future for  Nigerians.

    Fasanmi, who said the developmental strides of the Buhari administration was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria, noted that no administration could be compared with Buhari’s since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

    The Second Republic senator said Buhari’s achievements  in many sectors of the economy, including the reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan Express way, which is now nearing completion, are morale booster.

    He said: “There is no doubting the fact that before now, the Lagos – Ibadan Express way was  in a deplorable state and was a death trap for commuters. The light rail line that is to link Lagos to Ibadan has now reached Abeokuta and will get to Ibadan before the end of the year. This is a major achievement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government and will reduce the traffic gridlock on our highway and boost the economy.”

    According to him, no fewer than 200,000 youths of the old Western Region have been empowered and a large number of our market women have profited from the programme of the Buhari administration.

    “Be reminded that our national assets belong not to the living Nigerians alone, but also to the generation unborn.

    “Let the Yoruba nation remind ourselves that tried as we did in the Awolowo time, we were not allowed to grab political power at the centre. This generation must therefore commend what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his other Yoruba nationalist have done to push the Southwest into the mainstream of our national politics,” Pa Fasanmi said.

  • Fasanmi greets Durojaiye at 86

    The Afenifere leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has congratulated the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, on his 86th birthday, describing him as a committed and dedicated politician who devotes his life time to the service of humanity.

    Fasanmi said that Durojaiye has never for once deviated from the ideals of progressive politics.

    He said that the NCC chairman has remained consistent even when others elected on the same platform as him found it convenient to defect.

    “He is a man of integrity and his life style is a good example for all young politicians to emulate,” Fasanmi said.

  • Political jobbers endorsed Atiku, says Fasanmi

    NONAGENARIAN Afenifere leader Pa Ayo Fasanmi broke his silence yesterday on the reported endorsement of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar by some groups, including a faction of the pan-Yoruba organisation led by Chief Reuben Fasoranti.

    The Second Republic Senator spoke at the 12,000-capacity Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a rally for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole dismissed the Fasoranti-led group as “fake”, recalling how Yoruba leaders stood their ground against former military Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Oshiomhole said: “Pa Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who conquered the Ota farmer in 2003 and 2007 political battle, are the authentic Afenifere who have been elected by the people of Yoruba land.

    “As we speak today, we are proud that those who can speak as representatives, not self-proclaimed or self-appointed of the Yoruba nation are the governors who are all seated.

    “They were elected by the people of Yoruba race to guide the present to the future on behalf of the Yoruba people.”

    Senator Fasanmi described the Reuben Fasoranti-led faction of the group, which endorsed Atiku, as political jobbers, who shouldn’t be ignored.

    He was echoed by former Osun State governor and former APC interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande.

    Pa Fasanmi said: “All Yoruba race across Southwest are solidly supporting the President Buhari candidature, except a group of dollar and naira called fake Afenifere who endorsed Atiku Abubakar.

    “They are people with no electoral value and credence in their respective polling units not to talk of the Yoruba land.

    “By the grace of God, come March 6 when we would be celebrating 110 years post-humous birthday of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, we would also be celebrating the victory of President Buhari and other APC candidates at the national and state levels.”

     

  • Shagari’s death national loss, say Obi, Fasanmi, Clark, Yakassai

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate Peter Obi, Afenifere leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Southsouth leader Chief Edwin Clark and elder statesman Tanko Yakassai, have described the death of former President Shehu Shagari as a national loss.

     

    Obi: he showed leadership

    Obi spoke yesterday when he accompanied former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to Sokoto to commiserate with the Shagari family, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

    His words: “Besides the lesson in patriotism and hard work, Shagari showed us that humility, care and love should be essential part of leadership, which is the hallmark of Atiku’s philosophy of leadership.”

    Obi, who described Shagari as “an urbane, compassionate, tolerant, polished politician and a leader worthy of emulation”, said some of the programmes he embarked on while leading the country, such as his “Green Revolution”, were conceived in good faith.

    On the challenges posed by Shagari’s death, Obi said the generation of Shagari is gradually passing out in obedience to the law of birth and death and that such development was a challenge to the youth to brace for leadership positions.

     

    Fasanmi mourns

    Pa Fasanmi, in a statement, described the death of the Second Republic President as a big loss to the country. He noted that “Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 while I was in the Senate.

    “He was a gentle man; he tried his best as a former President of Nigeria. His elderly counsel will be missed. This is the time that his experience will be needed by the young politicians.”

    The Afenifere chieftain noted that “during Shagari’s time, corruption wasn’t rampant as it’s now. His dedication for the selfless service is what young men should emulate. We should learn from his words – One Nation, One Destiny.”

     

    Clark: he was honourable

    Chief Edwin Clark described the late President as an honorable man of integrity.

    He noted that Shagari was committed to his duties as a former President, attending Council of State meetings as much as he could and made meaningful contributions.

    The Ijaw leader, therefore, said the late former president would be greatly missed.

    The former National Commissioner said the news came to him as a surprise.

    He said his relationship with the late former president dated back to 1968, when they both serve as national commissioners and later as members of the same political party, National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1978.

    He noted that the sterling qualities of the late former president made him to be love and accepted by all.

    “I pray and plead with the politicians of today to imbibe and emulate the sterling qualities of this great politician,” Clark said.

     

    ‘A complete gentleman’

    Yakassai yesterday in Kano paid glowing tribute to Shagari, describing his death as a great loss to members of his family, the people of his Sokoto state and the nation.

    In a statement, Yakassai said Shagari was a complete gentleman and respected elder statesman, who was the most experienced politician in Nigeria’s recent history.

    According to the statement, Shagari served as minister in seven different Federal ministries at various times during the First Republic and the military government of General Yakubu Gowon.

    He noted that Shagari capped it all by being the first democratically elected executive President and Commander-in-Chief.

    Yakassai said: “A truly detribalised national leader, who regarded all Nigerians, as equal, without discrimination whatsoever. President Shagari was the only Nigerian leader, who enjoyed almost equal nationwide support of most Nigerians, both from the North and Southern parts of the country alike…

    ”May the Almighty Allah repose his gentle soul in eternal rest and give his family courage and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

  • Jonathan, SGF, Fasanmi, others greet Buhari at 76

    FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Afenifere leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi and Voice of Nigeria (VON) Director-General Osita Okechukwu have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 76th birthday anniversary.

    They spoke yesterday in their different goodwill messages.

    Jonathan, in a personally signed message, thanked God for blessing Buhari with the grace of a long life.

    He noted that the President has contributed so much to Nigeria’s growth, having served the nation in different capacities, and always giving his best whenever he is called upon to serve.

    The ex-president said: “Yours has been a life of great service to our dear nation, having served as a brave soldier, governor, Minister of Petroleum, Head of State and now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”Jonathan, who also highlighted Buhari’s patriotism and deep commitment to Nigeria’s growth, prayed to God to grant the President good health and more productive years.”

    He added:  “I join you, your family, well-wishers and fellow Nigerians to give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of a long life.

    “I wish you good health and more productive years, as you continue to lend your skills and energy to the task of building a Nigeria of our dreams.” he said

    Mustapha, in his message, said: “Consistency. This is the hallmark of a great leader. You say what you ‘ll do. And you do exactly as you’ve said.

    “You have matched your consistency with good vision. You have said that Nigeria, under your watch, will be great. Like the great leader you’ve always been, you are leading the charge from the front in spite of grave distractions and gang-ups. We, your followers, are proud to join you to build a united and prosperous Nigeria.

    “As you attain the 76th year landmark, we pray that your strength be renewed. When the job is done, posterity will know that President Buhari did his best for Nigeria the way only a true patriot could have.

    “Happy birthday, Mr. President.”

    Fasanmi prayed God to grant the President good health and wisdom in his strive to take Nigeria to the next level.

    The statement reads: “As our great leader Awo taught us, tough time do not last, but tough people do. You have come, you have seen and by the grace of God you will conquer. As we look forward for your re-election in February, 2019, God will grant you the strength and wisdom to lead Nigeria to the promise land. I wish you many happy returns.”

    Okechukwu saluted former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida for vindicating Buhari’s disciples on his laudable achievements since assumption of office in May 2015.

    Okechukwu, while reacting to IBB’s birthday statement to Buhari on his 76th birthday, said he and others were in the same league with IBB that Buhari’s administration has achieved tremendous success in war against corruption, terrorism and other forms of insurgency, as well as bringing the country out of economic recession.

    The VON boss, who is an ardent supporter of Buhari, also noted that Buhari has embarked on massive growth of critical infrastructure and revolution in agriculture sector towards self-sufficiency in food production.