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  • All hail the Man of the Year

    All hail the Man of the Year

    A reception was organised by The Mandate Movement and Oranmiyan Group at Sky Power, Ikeja, last Saturday. It was for the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, who received the “Daily Independent” 2013 Man of the Year Award last Friday at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO and OLATUNDE ODEBIYI report.

    No fewer than 10,000 people converged on the expansive Sky Power, GRA, Ikeja grounds, last Saturday for a grand reception for Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

    Daily Independent, published by Independent Newspapers Limited, honoured Aregbesola with the 2013 Man of the Year Award. He received the award a day earlier at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The reception was organised by socio-political groups – The Mandate Movement (TMM) and Oranmiyan Group.

    Over 100 BRT buses brought men and women decked in white attires and blue headgears and caps to the event. Operators of tricycles had a field day, ferrying passengers to and fro the venue. At a point, there was heavy traffic because of the unusual vehicular movements on routes leading to the venue. Some who could not stand the gridlock trekked.

    For passers-by, commuters and workers on the routes, it was clear that another political gathering was in the offing.

    At Sky Power, various sizes of canopies were mounted; on the right side of the high table was a state-of-the-art stage where a live band welcomed the gathering with songs.

    Many could not wait to alight from the long and small buses that conveyed them to the venue before they began to dance. As more people alighted from their vehicles, some joined those on the dance floor while others made for the seats under the canopies.

    Lace material of various kinds was the order of the day.

    The scorching sun did not deter people from trooping in in thousands.

    A popular Nollywood comedian, Princess Lanko Omoba Dubai, thrilled the large audience. She was handsomely rewarded.

    The Mandate Movement led by a former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Interim National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire, was founded by APC National Leader and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to coordinate his political group.

    The man of the moment, Aregbesola was the founding leader of the movement.

    Like Mandate, Oranmiyan Group was initiated to champion Aregbesola’s political struggle in Osun State.

    According to Banire, Aregbesola deserves to be celebrated for his dedication, pragmatic approach to issues and diligence.

    Aregbesola, he said, is an unusual administrator with a zeal for excellence.

    “I’m not surprised he won the Man of the Year Award; he truly deserves the honour and you can see the mass attendance to this reception by party faithful across the states.

    “This is just a small reception put together within days for a few people in honour of one of us, Ogbeni Aregbesola. But the crowd that gathered here is not only intimidating, overwhelming but encouraging,” Banire said.

    The reception turned to a carnival-like gathering with itinerant drummers competing for attention.

    Various political songs vibrated through the length and breadth of the open field.

    The arrival of Aregbesola electrified the whole place.

    He barely settled down before mounting the stage to address the cheering crowd.

    As he spoke, the party women interjected his speeches with political songs.

    “I’m happy for the love that exist among us,” he said.

    “Since 1998 that we started, one after another, God has continued to bless us. We have captured the whole Southwest and used Edo to replace Ondo and, by God’s grace, Ondo will soon be in our fold,” he said, and the crowd yelled in agreement.

    As he listed other states in APC outside the Southwest, the gathering responded thus: Apo wa lo wa (In our pocket).

    Afterwards, a voice from the crowd sang the late Fatai Rolling Dollars’ hit song, Won kere si number wa, but Aregbesola opted for praise song Ope lo ye o, Baba Olore.

    Afterwards, they also sang: Bi egbe eko ba pe gba, awa la o ma pase (If political parties reach 200, APC will continue to rule).”

    The Osun governor who is also a founding leader of the Mandate Movement thanked them for keeping faith with the APC through its various transformational stages since 1999.

    “I must thank you for standing by us all the way. You have seen that more Nigerians, including serving and past governors, members of the National Assembly and others have been trooping to the APC because PDP has failed and disappointed the nation. What this tells us is that we need to put in more effort to flush out this party that has brought so much pain and anguish to our people. Our coming elections in Ekiti and Osun will surely give them (PDP) a bitter taste of the people’s level of resentment for them,” he said.

    He thanked the organisers of the reception for remaining faithful to the ideals of the founder of the TMM which began as just a political group in Lagos.

    In their welcome speeches at the occasion, Banire and another leader of the TMM, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmabku, assured the crowd that APC would “form the next government at the federal level and it will never fail you as the PDP has done.”

    A day earlier at the award ceremony, politicians, traditional rulers, lawmakers, media people, business moguls and many more were present to share in the joy of the governor.

    The entrance of the convention centre was full of life as exotic cars dropped guests one after the other.

    Itinerant drummers from Osun State teamed up with their Lagos counterparts to enliven the atmosphere.

    Banners bearing pictures of Aregbesola were displayed at various points.

    Most of the guests came in traditional outfits. They moved around the venue exchanging pleasantries before the event started.

    Mr Shitu Alamu was the master of the ceremony.

    The arrival of Aregbesola with his wife, Sherifat caused a stir. He came with his entourage. All guests stood to honour him as some ushered him in.

    They shouted Aregbesola, and some sang his praises.

    He greeted dignitaries and other guests in the front row before taking his seat on the stage. His praises continued.

    The event started with an opening prayer followed by the National and Osun anthems.

    Chairman on the occasion who is also the chairman of Independent Newspapers Limited, Alhaji Gambo Lawan, said Aregbesola was being honoured because of his commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of the society.

    The event featured a cultural presentation by a Performing Troupe from Osun State.

    The guest lecturer, a lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay, took to the podium to deliver a paper on Nigeria: 1914 to 2014; Amalgamation and its Aftermath.

    He expressed concern over the struggle for power in the country.

    He said the government should focus on other areas of investment aside oil, such as agriculture, cocoa and textile, to promote efficient development.

    A session of comments followed.

    A member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the National Conference, Tony Uranta, said the duty of the government was to take care of the people, their welfare and security.

    He said Nigerians needed to come together as one to talk about how to move forward.

    “We have to stop sweeping major issues under the carpet in the name of politics, religion or ethnicity,” he said.

    A documentary on Osun Sate followed.

    Then came the presentation of the award.

    Aregbesola, clad in a white agbada with cap, was all joy as he moved to the podium to receive the award.

    Alhaji Lawan presented the award after Aregbesola’s citation was read.

    Smiling, Aregbesola showed the plaque to the gathering which admired it. Sherifat and other dignitaries took photographs with him.

    He described the award as an encouragement for him to do more for the people of Osun State and thanked the newspaper for considering him worthy of the honour.

    Editor of Daily Independent Rotimi Durojaiye delivered the vote of thanks.

    Present were Governors of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi and Ekiti Dr Kayode Fayemi. Governor of Lagos State was represented by his Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba; his Kano and Ogun counteparts by Alhaji Ibrahim Musa and Mr Bimbo Ashiru.

    Others in attendance were Deputy Governors of Lagos and Osun Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; former Governor of Lagos State Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Hon Yinka Ajayi; One-time Lagos Finance Commissioner Mr Wale Edun; Hon Ayo Omidiran; Sehu Musa; National Women Leader, APC, Sharon Okiatan; former SSG Edo state government, Ize Iyamu; Alhaji Demola Omidiran; Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly Hon Najim Salam and his Lagos counterpart, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Osun State Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Prince Gboyega Famodu; Oba of Lagos Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Senator Ganiyu Solomon among others.

    Alhaji Lai Mohammed, its National Publicity Secretary; Dr. Leke Pitan, former Lagos Commissioner for Health were also at the reception.

     

  • All hail the king’s father

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande has been installed the Baba-Oba (the king’s father) of Imoru-Ijebu in Ogun State by the Oru of Imoru, Oba Munirudeen Adeposi Bashorun. The coronation was part of activities marking the monarch’s 70th birthday. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports

    It was no mean event. The high and mighty gathered for the installation of Chief AbdulKareem Adebisi Bamidele Akande, the Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as Baba-Oba (the king’s father) of Imoru-Ijebu in Ogun State. The event drew A-guests from the political, business and social worlds.

    Imoru, a rustic community near Ijebu-Ode came alive last Saturday as Chief Akande’s political associates flocked to the town.

    Itinerant drummers and praise singers lined the roads leading to the town, chanting the cognomen of dignitaries as they arrived.

    Motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, had a field day, making trips to and from the venue.

    Hawkers made brisk business, selling bottled and sachet water, drinks and confectioneries.

    The scorching sun could not deter the crowd. People kept coming yet there was orderliness. Traditional rulers, accompanied by their chiefs and aides, were in long flowing Agbada, beads and horsetails. The dignitaries exchanged banters; others spent time catching up on old times.

    Akande’s coronation was part of the activities marking the 70th birthday of Oru of Imoru Oba Munirudeen Adeposi Bashorun.

    The ceremony turned to a political rally of sorts. Banners, dotted poles and buildings, with various goodwill messages. A message sponsored by ‘The Pepper Boys’, read: Agbajo owo… It had the pictures of APC leader and former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Agba Akin of Imoru); Chief Akande; Oba Bashorun; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (Aremo of Imoru); Hon Bayo Osinowo (Mayegun of Imoru) and Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji (Akogun of Imoru). They were all present at the event.

    Another banner had APC logo and the pictures of Oba Bashorun, Chief Akande and Asiwaju Tinubu, with the message: Eyin Agbagba… Eku Atunse ilu…

    The indigenes turned hailing out in large number in appreciation of Oba Bashorun, whose over four years reign as monarch has attracted development to the town.

    The arrival of Oba Bashorun, Chief Akande, Asiwaju Tinubu, Ogbeni Aregbesola, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his Oyo State counterpart Abiola Ajimobi enlivened the atmosphere.

    Following their arrival, the event began, with prayers from Muslim and Christian clerics.

    Asiwaju Tinubu, who chaired the event, congratulated the celebrators. He wished them long life with good health.

    He hailed Chief Akande for his purposeful leadership of the APC. He boasted that the party would provide Nigerians with good leadership in 2015.

    Tinubu said the struggle to rescue Nigeria had been on for long, beginning from when since he was a lone it.

    “The party would not relent in its struggle to rescue Nigeria from the cruelest and rudderless administration of the Peoples Democratic Party controlled Federal Government,” he said.

    He expressed delight that today no fewer than 16 progressive governors are joining hands with him in the crusade for a better Nigeria.

    “There was a time I was alone, but today we have 16 governors on a rescue boat. We shall rescue Nigeria as a whole. We shall succeed in this crusade to save Nigeria. As Moses crossed the Red Sea; no going back to Pharaoh again,” Tinubu said.

    While hailing APC-controlled states, Tinubu acknowledge the “massive infrastructural development” in Ogun State, describing it as second to none in the history of the state.

    “Ijebu-Ode is already a giant construction site with the dualisation of roads going on, the overhead bridge, thank you Governor Amosun for your dedication and commitment to duty which made the transformation possible,” he said.

    The monarch’s citation, cutting of the birthday cake and goodwill messages followed.

    The highpoint of the ceremony was Chief Akande’s coronation. Clad in purple Agbada, a befitting cap and a pair of shoes, the 74-year old politician was accompanied by his wife, Omowunmi.

    Oba Bashorun decorated him with the coronation cap, leaves, and traditional beads before handing his staff of office over to him.

    He blessed him and wished him well.

    Chief Akande thanked Oba Bashorun for finding him worthy of the honour

    Recollecting the crucial role of the traditional institutions in the country, Chief Akande lamented the bastardisation of the institution by the British.

    According to him, the function of collecting tax eroded the established respect people had for their traditional institution.

    Chief Akande warned traditional rulers, particularly those in the Southwest not to be part of the proposed National Council of Obas.

    According to him, the membership of such a council would comprise people who are not of royal blood who would want to ride on the rulers authorities.

    Oba Bashorun thanked God for the success of the day.

    Asiwaju Tinubu led the celebrators and the three governors to the dance floor.

    King of Fuji music Alhaji Wasiu Anifowoshe (KWAM 1) was again at his best, he was on the dance floor dishing out political songs and some of his hit tracks to the delight of the gathering.

    For a 74-year-old, Chief Akande also displayed good dance steps for over 20 minutes.

    Also in attedance were former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba; his Ekiti State counterpart Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Osun State Deputy Governor Otunba Titi Laoye-Tomori; her Ogun State counterpart Prince Segen Adesegun; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly Suraj Adekunbi; his Oyo and Osun States counterparts Monsurat Sunmonu and Najeem Salaam; Deputy Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly Tola Banjo; Senator Babajide Omoworare; member, House of Representatives Hon Ayo Omidiran; Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Dr Idiat Adebule; her Osun State counterpart Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Budget and Economic Planning Alhaji ‘Bade Adeshina; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Lateef Ibirogba; Otunba Fatai Olukoga; Hon Abiodun Mafe, among others.

  • Alaafin, others hail Ajimobi on performance

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has hailed the achievements of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration, describing them as “unprecedented”.

    He said the administration had transformed education, health and security as well as built/repaired roads.

    The Alaafin spoke at the weekend when he led some traditional rulers and chiefs on a Sallah visit to the governor in his office in Ibadan, the state capital.

    He said the administration ended violence and brigandage in the state, thus bringing relief to residents, who used to live in fear.

    Oba Adeyemi noted with satisfaction the “rare vigour” with which Ajimobi had been pursuing his administration’s transformation and repositioning agenda, adding that all parts of the state were feeling the administration’s impact.

    Urging the people to cooperate with the Ajimobi administration, he advised members of the opposition to desist from destructive criticisms of “a performing government” in the interest of the state.

    Ajimobi said his administration would continue to execute projects that have direct impacts on the people.

    He said the essence of governance was to make life better for the masses by meeting their needs and aspirations, adding that his administration had continued to vigorously pursue this.

    The governor said his administration would continue to entertain constructive criticisms from the opposition to improve on its performance.

    He hailed the traditional rulers for their support, which he said made his administration’s achievements possible.

    Ajimobi said: “Oyo is one of the most difficult states to govern, but with the help of God, the support of the people and the cooperation of the traditional rulers, we have been able to achieve this feat and improve the state.

    The monarchs prayed for Ajimobi and his administration.

     

  • Progressive governors hail breakaway PDP

    Progressive governors hail breakaway PDP

    The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has hailed the split of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as “a necessary and inevitable result of repressive rule of the PDP”.

    In a statement yesterday, the governors of the All Progressives Party (APC), who are members of the PGF, said they supported the action of the seven PDP governors and other leaders of the ruling party to create a faction.

    The statement said: “Recent events, first with the orchestrated crisis in the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), suspension and expulsion of PDP leaders, including serving governors, without fair hearing and complete demonstration of lack of tolerance and respect for different opinions, are signposts of crisis that should unavoidably result in the split of any organisation.

    “The PGF commends the courage and resilience of the Abubakar Baraje-led PDP and, in particular, congratulates all the serving PDP governors for standing up to be counted among patriotic political leaders of Nigeria. It must no doubt be a conscious decision that must have been borne out of commitment to make all the sacrifices needed to rescue our dear nation from the current reign of terror and bad governance.

    “As serving governors too, we are ready to support, work with our colleagues in partnership and solidarity with the goal of facilitating accelerated human development by embracing policies and programmes to improve quality of life of all Nigerian citizens, eradicate poverty and create jobs in the country. We are under no illusion that our reality as a nation today calls for both intra and inter party networking.

    “We are, therefore, ready to transform our relationship with all serving governors irrespective of our partisan differences, in order to move our dear country, Nigeria, forward.

    “Nigeria has outlived all dictatorships in the past and will definitely outlive any present or latent, manifest or potential dictatorship.”

  • Osun residents hail infrastructure renewal

    Residents of Osun State have expressed their satisfaction with Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s infrastructure upgrade efforts.

    Quite a number of projects are being undertaken by the state government, but clearly, the conversion of the 45-km Osogbo-Ikirun Road to a dual-carriageway is its flagship project.

    Since the state government signed a N17.8 billion contract agreement with SAMMYA Construction Company Limited for the dualisation of the road, the project segmented into three phases- Osogbo-Dagbolu (International Market) to Alamisi Market in Ikirun (9.52 kilometers); Osogbo (Old-garage) to Ikirun junction Road (20.5 kilometers) and Ikirun-Ila Odo- Kwara State Boundary Road (16.55 km), the state government has been receiving a lot of commendation from residents of  the state especially road users.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Mr Oladepo Amuda, an engineer, had assured that the project would be completed within 24 months.

    SAMMYA  Construction Company Limited took that directive seriously.

    A development financial institution, the Infrastructure Bank Plc (TIB) which is the transaction advisor and financier of the project, is also working in conjunction with the construction company and other stakeholders to fund the project.

    The Chairman, SAMMYA Construction Company Limited, Mr Sammy Adigun assured that a lot of hands were employed to ensure the deadline was not missed.

    He also revealed that the company signed a local content undertaking, such that the labour and materials would be sourced locally up to 60 per cent, stressing that the actual target was 90 per cent to provide jobs for the people of the state.

    Adigun added that for executing the project, the administration of Aregbesola has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to fully implementing its aggressive road development plan for the state, which, he said would facilitate the rapid development of the state.

    Several months down the line since work commenced on the multi-billion naira project, opinions of people of the state about the performance of the contractor on the job habe been nearly the same.

    People are praising the rare technical know-how at work on the project.

    A trader at Igbona Market in Osogbo,  Alhaja Sarafatu Aina, said the contractor SAMMAYA has proved that it is capable of handling the job with the deployment of brand new machines for road construction, adding that the workers handling the project have also been clearly dedicated to the project.

    A shop owner at Ayeitoro area of Osogbo, the state capital, James Obiora  noted that despite the increasing rain, the uncompromising spirit of SAMMYA has ensured work progressed steadily on the project.

    Similarly, answering questions on how the construction work has improved youth empowerment, a driver recruited by SAMMYA, Yunus Adegboyega said: “I got a hint that SAMMYA was employing drivers and I approached its office. That was how I got the job. The salary is very attractive and there was training for all the workers. Besides empowering us financially, SAMMYA is also exposing us to skills in our various areas that are very new to many of us. The number of youths from Osun State that have been employed in various departments and sections of the company since the work began on the road is well over 500.”

    He said further that the state government has demonstrated its readiness to place the state in the league of developed states, while the governor has demonstrated his desire to permanently etch his name in the minds of people in terms of infrastructural development.

    A traditional ruler, Oba Rauf Adedeji, the Akinrun of Ikirun, one of the towns through which the road passes, commended both  the state government and SAMMYA Construction Limited for making the project a good reference point in the country.

    For the monarch, the dream to transform the state’s infrastructural facilities as conceived by the governor is actually being given a life by the contractor handling the project.

    The royal father urged everyone involved in the project to ensure that the drive and determination shown when the work statrted would be sustained throughout the duration of the project.

    The founder of Sword of Spirit Ministry, Eweta, Pastor Israel Wemimo said the major gain the state is recording through the ongoing Osogbo-Kwara Boundary project is in the area of empowerment.

    He declared that youths in Ikirun and adjoining communities, who could not be absorbed by the contracting firm handling the work at the moment, eagerly await when the contractor will shift full attention to the part of the project that traverses the community.

    Chief Tadese Esuleke of Oloba Compound, Osogbo, held similar views.

    He said: “Many youths in the state who could not get opportunity in OYES are beginning to turn their attention to SAMMYA, the contractor working on Osogbo-Kwara Boundary Road. Honestly, this work is assisting in mopping our streets of these hitherto idle young men. You can call it an indirect way by government and its partner, the contractor, to empower young ones”.

    Speaking on behalf of students’ movement in the state, a former Osun State chairman of Joint Campus Committee (JCC) of National Association Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Bosede Safety said: “People are saying the youths empowerment is one of the gains recorded by the state through the project of Osogbo-Kwara Boundary road but beyond that fact, I think the preservation of lives and properties of the people that will use that road. The rate of accident on that road before this construction work is relatively high. Lives and properties have been lost and that will have to stop now with the expansion and

    reconstruction work going on.

    “I want to express the gratitude of the people of Osun state, most especially the youths, who apart  from benefitting as road users, also have gainful employment opportunity through SAMMYA . With this kind of infrastructure, automobiles being used in the state will have longer life span, thereby reducing spending on vehicle maintenance which further relaxes the strain on peoples’ income”.

  • Southwest governors hail Odu’a Investment

    Southwest governors have hailed the investment drive of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited.

    They gave the conglomerate a pass mark for the newly- built Heritage Mall and the Cocoa Mall, which they said have given life to several new multinationals, including Shoprite, Mr. Price, Cash ‘N’Carry and the Filmhouse Limited.

    The governors of Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Ekiti, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, gave the commendation after a walk-assessment tour of the Heritage Mall and the Cocoa Mall, situated at the Cocoa House complex, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The governors lauded the management team of Odu’a, headed by Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, for giving Cocoa House and the Central Business District area in Dugbe a facelift.

    They said the new malls have increased the number of people coming for shopping, thereby making the area a rich economic hub.

    Governor Aregbesola, speaking on behalf of the governors, said the Odu’a Investment Company Limited has revived the face of Ibadan, especially with the establishment of modern malls at the business district.

    He noted that the presence of brands, such as Shoprite, Mr. Price, Cash ‘N’ Carry, Lifemate and The Filmhouse to mention a few, has made Ibadan to be more lively.

    The Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company, Mr. Jimoh, who led the governors on a walk, expressed delight about the two malls.

    According to him, the Heritage Mall, which occupies the old Sketch Press Limited premises, was financed by the Odu’a Investment Company Limited and the Cocoa Mall, which is an extension of Cocoa House, was established in conjunction with a private developer, Top Service Limited.

    He said the premises of the defunct Sketch Press Limited, which had become derelict for over 12 years, was converted to build the Heritage Mall and the Cocoa Mall is located at the former office of Odu’a Investment Company Limited upon relocation of its head office to Cocoa House, 15 years after the fire that gutted the building.

  • Jonathan, Lagos ACN hail Fashola at 50

    President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola as he celebrates his 50th birthday today.

    In a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president felicitated with Fashola and prayed God to grant him more years of commendable service to the people.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Nigeria, I express warm felicitations to you on the landmark occasion of your 50th birthday.

    “As you deservedly celebrate this glorious day, it is my prayer that God, who has richly prospered you and ordered your steps in the past half century, will continue to bless you with good health and fulfillment in the many more years of worthy service ahead of you.”

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State also congratulated the governor. It said Fashola’s 50 years have been well spent in the service of his fatherland.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, ACN said: “We salute Fashola as he marches on with the template of good governance and redefines the sphere and scope of good governance in a badly governed country.

    “We salute his courage, dexterity, sense of purpose and discipline in governing a complex, heavily populated and sophisticated state like Lagos, with its potentials and challenges.

    “We salute the vision with which he creates a state that will not only serve the present but deal with the challenges of the future. We salute his competence in working out an effective state that handles the problems and anxieties of the bulk of Nigeria’s youths and employable, yet unemployed population.

    “We hail Fashola’s proactive role in equipping a mega city with a capacity to absolve over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s productive sector and fend for their dependents in other parts of Nigeria.

    “At 50, we believe he is still at an early stage of his service to Nigeria. We see him as a rare gift, acknowledged by Nigerians across party lines and we believe men like him hold the key to the country’s progress.”

  • Shema, Sunny Ade, Yar’Adua family hail Mogaji

    Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema has said the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji’s life was rewarding and exemplary.

    In a condolence message sent to the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shema said: “It is evident that the late Alhaja Mogaji, during her life, was an embodiment of hard work, honesty and a source of inspiration to all and sundry.”

    The governor said the people of Katsina State share in the pains of the former Lagos State governor.

    He said they believed that God would grant Alhaja Mogaji eternal rest.

    “While sharing with you the anguish naturally elicited by the loss of one’s dear mother, I join the multitude of well-wishers to pray to Allah to forgive the deceased and grant her eternal rest in Aljannah-firdausi,” Governor Shema said.

    Lt.-Col. Abdulazeez Yar’Adua, who visited the ACN National Leader on behalf of the Yar’Adua family, described the late Alhaja Mogaji as a gift to mankind. He said her death has robbed the Yar’Adua family of a dependable mother figure whose kindness would be missed.

    Lt.-Col. Yar’Adua said: “I am here on behalf of the Yar’Adua family to condole with Asiwaju Tinubu on the death of our mother, grandmother and a great nationalist, Hajia Mogaji. I pray that Allah should grant her peace.”

    He noted that the greatest treasure the late Alhaja Mogaji gave to Nigeria is Asiwaju Tinubu, “who everybody knows today to be in the forefront of ensuring that our great nation does not fall into abyss.

    “We pray that Allah gives him the courage to continue with what he has started, ensuring that this nation gets what it deserves.”

    Juju music king, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye aka King Sunny Ade (KSA), said the music industry has lost a supportive arm.

    Said he “Mama was there for all of us. No matter her tight schedule, she would attend the event we invited her to.”

     

  • Urban renewal: Yuguda, monarch hail Ajimobi

    Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda and the Olugbo of Igbo, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, have lauded the urban renewal programme of the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration.

    They said it has transformed the state.

    Yuguda spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, when he visited Ajimobi to condole with him on the demise of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, publisher of the Nigerian Tribune.

    Yuguda said he noticed significant improvements in the environmental sanitation, infrastructural development, renovation and beautification of buildings, including the Governor’s Office and other ministries at the State Secretariat.

    He said: “Seeing is believing. Everybody is conscious of the new environment. I congratulate you on the physical changes in Ibadan. We can compare Ibadan favourably with Lagos in terms of cleanliness. We can see the orderliness and the infrastructure under construction. Residents are happy with the massive infrastructural development.

    “This office has witnessed a transformation. I was here in 2003, when I was in the Ministry of Transport as Minister of State, and in 2005 as Minister of Aviation, and I know what I saw here.

    “This morning, when we went to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo to sympathise with him on the fire that gutted a part of his palace, we enjoyed the peace reigning in the state.

    Commiserating with the people of Oyo and Ogun states, as well as the Awolowo family, on Oluwole’s death, he said: “We have lost one of the greatest sons of Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace.”

    Ajimobi lauded Yuguda’s leadership quality, describing him as a rare administrator.

    He said: “If you can have more governors like Yuguda in Nigeria, this country will definitely improve. Yuguda is one of the most intellectual governors I have ever met. He has the ability to keep relationships. He lubricates the human cord that ties you together. He is constantly nurturing and tendering his relationship with you. He remains the only governor from across the Niger, who came to commiserate with us during the 2011 floods and he made a substantial donation. He is very humble and unassuming.”

    Oba Akinruntan spoke at the inauguration of a book in honour of the Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, at the D’Rovans Hotel, Ibadan.

    Oba Akinruntan said: “With your leadership quality, you have transformed Oyo into another London. I associate with you and urge you to keep it up. If there is anything I can do to return you for a second term, I will do it. I urge the people to support Ajimobi.”

  • Sharks’ fans hail appointment of Gbenga Ogunbote

    Sharks’ fans hail appointment of Gbenga Ogunbote

    Football fans in Port Harcourt said on Wednesday that the appointment of Gbenga Ogunbote as the new Technical Adviser of Sharks FC, would move the club forward.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogunbote had worked in an assistant’s capacity with Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt in the 2003/2004 Nigeria Premier League season. He was also a former Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure.

    Peter Abaje, Sharks’ Media Officer, told NAN that the arrival of the new coach would help the club to prosecute its matches in the 2012/2013 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season successfully.

    “The coach has been presented to the media at half-time during a local derby between Sharks and Dolphins FC in a Week Five fixture at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt. We are confident that he will do well; we may not have started well this season, but I have the hope that we are going to finish well,” Abaje said.

    One of the fans, Martin Okoye, who is a student, told NAN that Ogunbote had the potential to breed new players and take them to stardom.

    According to Okoye, the coach is the key to the success of any sport and I believe that new coach has the quality to deliver the best. “The coach is an old soldier in football. He has promised to take the club to a higher pedestal; may he have the strength to carry out the task,” he said.

    Bernard Emeka, a businessman, expressed optimism that with the new coach, the club would get the best in the 2013 NPFL.

    Ogunbote said that though Sharks position in the league was not too good, he had the potential to salvage the situation. Sharks have four points from five matches it has played so far, placing 19th of the 20 teams on the league table.