OSUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the House of Assembly under the leadership of its Speaker, Najeem Salam, yesterday described All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as one rare breed of a pathfinder.
Aregbesola and the assembly, in different statements, saluted Tinubu on the occasion of his 65th birthday.
The governor specifically said history has already recorded Tinubu “as having found ways, where there were none and created opportunities for humanity, where many did not see any”.
The Osun State governor’s message signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, recognised Tinubu’s immense contributions to the political and economic growth of Nigeria and Africa.
It said Lagos began to emerge as a truly habitable state after what he described as “Tinubu’s mega-development vision”, adding that “the success story of Lagos has rubbed off on the Southwest, Nigeria and Africa”.
Aregbesola said Tinubu’s capacity for talent hunt and leadership recruitment were unparalleled.
According to him, the APC stalwart’s ability to spot the best hands for crucial assignments have elevated him to that pedestal of rare leader of men.
“Today, we are celebrating a giant pathfinder; one whose contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic growth have provided development scholars serious models for academic studies.
“This is one Nigerian politician, whose politics is known to have impacted heavily on humanity. From Lagos, where God used him for the emergence of a new state, to Nigeria as a whole and indeed, the continent of Africa, where his influence continues to be felt, Tinubu manifests in our lives in all ramifications,” the statement said.
The governor prayed for longer life for Tinubu just as he expressed the wish that his visions of a greater Nigeria and the Black race would continue to blossom.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the assembly described Tinubu as a quintessential, larger than life politician, with passion for democratic ideals and commitment to national development.
It noted that the former governor is a man of many parts, a bridge-builder, philanthropist, master strategist and patriot, who in many ways, has raised the standard of civilisation and human dignity.
The Assembly said Nigeria owes Tinubu a huge gratitude for his determination, consistency, doggedness, vision and fearless disposition in the strengthening and enthronement of good governance.
The parliament noted that Tinubu, “who is acknowledged by friends and foe, far and near, as a rounded politician, pathfinder, investor, generous and people person, through his extraordinarily large heart and unusual magnanimity of character, raised countless men from miry clay, produced several remarkable politicians and business leaders”.
The statement noted that Tinubu’s warm disposition, visionary leadership and cares for the oppressed and the under-privileged had endeared him to all and sundry.
The Assembly advised the celebrator to remain focus in the days and years ahead at ensuring that democracy, which he fought for, “is not left to drift or suffer any form of setback”.
Wishing him many more years in good health, the assembly added that Tinubu’s many legacies and contributions to nation-building, party politics and wealth creation were eloquent testimonies of his great personality as a distinguished Nigerian and pan-Africanist.
