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Tag: selfless service

  • Adeleke’s passion for selfless service

    If efficiency, effectiveness and uniqueness are the factors, that make a thorough legislator and well-bred politician, Senator Ademola Adeleke, representing Osun West Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber has them in abundance.

    Since his debut in the political arena about one and half years ago, he has given a good account of himself as far as delivery of democratic dividends and passions for service to the electorates are concerned. A cheerful giver and silent philanthropist, Senator Ademola Adeleke has not for once, disappointed the people of Osun West Senatorial District through various empowerment programmes, that has truly touched on the lives of his constituents and beyond. His democratic dividends know no bound. No doubt , he was called upon for higher service, which by God’s grace, he will discharge effectively, when the time ripes.

    To those, who know the core value of the Adeleke family, which centres on service to humanity, Ademola Adeleke exploits in the political sphere came as no surprise. He is living up to the billings of his dynasty. In 2017, the Senator gave a boost to education in Osun West District, with the award of scholarship to indigent students in the district to the tune of N250 million. This was aside, his numerous silent contributions to other students, who needed welfare funds for their happy stay in schools. Senator Ademola Adeleke was building on the enviable legacies of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke of blessed memory.

    At his instance, several transformers and Mikano generating sets were given and installed at various locations in Osun West District in the past one and half years. He ensured, that boreholes were made available to hitherto forgotten hamlets, where they were essentially needed. The electorates in towns and villages, that were beneficiaries of these amenities are forever grateful to Senator Ademola Adeleke, for not departing from the humble philanthropic gestures of his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke of blessed memory. This is not to forget in a hurry, the food security programme he put in place through the distribution of bags of rice to nooks and crannies of Osun West District and beyond without consideration for political affiliations. This is still on-going. The words of the Adeleke family are their bonds.

    Senator Ademola Adeleke, is not leaving any stone unturned, as far as affecting the lives of the people of Osun West District through the various committees he is serving in the SENATE is concerned. It is on record, that his never- say –die spirit in the upper chamber has attracted some federal presence to Osun West District. The populist politician, that Ademola Adeleke is, is not resting on his oars, as efforts are being geared up to ensure, that various communities in the district are opened up for rural transformation, through his business links with local and foreign investors, with a view to stopping rural-urban drift and make our youth less nestive, by embracing agriculture and its linkage programmes, as the era of white collar jobs seems gone in the country.

    For Senator Ademola Adeleke, the electorates should be given value for their lives. This informs his resolve to continue to invest heavily in qualitative education advancement of the young people in Osun West District. In a few days to come, scholarship awards will be rolled out again for indigent students of Osun West District in particular and Osun State in general, as payback time for their unflinching loyalty and full support for his political endeavors over time. The Vice-Chairman of Senate committee on communication, is of the view, that the electorates should continue to embrace peace, love and respect for themselves, no matter their political differences, while also counseling all citizens to have respect for the rule of law and avoid divisive tendencies, while promoting the unity of the country at large.

    For Senator Ademola Adeleke, there is no country better than Nigeria, hence her accelerated development should be paramount at the minds of all citizens and non-citizens. An advocate of politics without bitterness, Senator Ademola Adeleke enjoins his admirers to continue to promote that very tenet, which his late Senator Isiaka Adeleke lived and died for and which he is also championing to make his legacies live forever. He enjoins them to be of great cheers, as there is light at the end of the tunnel. May God grant Late Asiwaju of Ede, Otunba Isiaka Adeleke. Aljanat fridaus. Senator Ademola Adeleke is of the opinion, that the Adeleke University, Ede will continue to be a world class citadel of learning, where employment opportunities will be amply provided for all cadres of people who are so qualified, as the university services and job placements are open to all Nigerians without discrimination.

    Since his election as a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on July 8, 2017, Ademola Adeleke “shock-absorber” has never deflated. He continues to live above board and beyond reproach, despite unjust odds placed on his way. To him, it is the prize to pay for leadership. He holds nobody in malice. Grudge to none. He has made God Almighty, the pillar of his strength, whose unfailing love for him has taken him this far. Ademola Adeleke believes very strongly, that the same faithful God, that has sustained him thus far, will see him through to the Promised Land and serve Nigeria people with total commitment and patriotic zeal.

    The amiable Senator continues to enjoy the grace of God, which is all, that is needed to excel in life. He has not lost a night steep, despite whatever innuendoes on his path. Ademola Adeleke unknown to some people is a workaholic, who spends better parts of the time, researching into avenues to make the society a better place to live in. His prayer has always been: “May God forgive those, who choose to be his traducers, for they know not what they are doing”. Ademola Adeleke continues to soar and reaching for the enviable height, where God has destined him to be.

    He has a marshal plan, to extend charities to the homes of the less-priviledged people in Osun State, come the Christmas festivities, Senator Ademola Adeleke, will visit orphanages, the School for the deaf and dumb; Osogbo, the Parceli School for the blind, the Juvenile Home Iwo; the aged peoples’ homes at various towns in Osun State and hospitals to donate generously to patients and celebrate the festivities with them.

     

    OLUMIDE LAWAL

    Lives in Ede, Osun State.

     

     

     

  • Ugwuanyi’s show of strength in selfless service

    The Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as usual featured prominently in the news in the last three weeks. During the period under review, Gov. Ugwuanyi was named the “2018 Sun Governor of the Year” for good governance; rapid rural development; regular payment of workers’ salaries and retirees’ pensions even without the receipt of federal allocation; nurturing peace and harmony among the political class and critical support for security agencies, among others.

    Prior to this well-deserved feat, the National President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade (Dr.) Bobboi Bala Kaigama, while in Enugu for the ground breaking of 100 Housing Units for Nigerian workers, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his sterling performance in office and outstanding commitment to the welfare of the state’s civil servants.

    Comrade Kaigama added that his leadership was proud of Gov. Ugwuanyi for paying workers’ salaries regularly and ensuring that they “have decent working environment”, saying, “If there is any governor that Nigerian workers can come up and work for his success particularly for his second term, we are proud to say that our members will work for you”.

    The housing project under reference is being developed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in collaboration with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Nigeria Employer’s Consultative Association (NECA) and the Enugu State Government. The Gov. Ugwuanyi administration in fulfillment of one of its contributions to the speedy actualization of the project, which is so dear to the workers, recently awarded contract for the construction of access roads to the site.

    Also within the weeks under review, the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu staged one of the greatest soccer comebacks to win the 2018 NFF/ AITEO cup after 35 years of the club’s last victory in the competition. It would be recalled that Enugu Rangers FC, under Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, exhibited similar historic feat when it won the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) cup – breaking the jinx of being unable to win a trophy after 32 years.

    Also, the World Bank Group rated Enugu State as the second most advanced state in Nigeria towards the frontier of global good practices with regards to Ease of Doing Business.

    The objective rating, which was contained in the recently released World Bank Doing Business in Nigeria 2018 report, by implication, proves that Enugu State, under the visionary leadership of Gov. Ugwuanyi has institutionalized far-reaching socio-economic reforms and provided critical infrastructure and security that have engendered a robust climate of Ease of Doing Business, creating an increased inflow of local and foreign direct investments in the state. It has also gone a long way to showcase the ingenuity of the present administration in advancing the cause of business engagements in the state through innovations, accountability, fiscal discipline and efficient public expenditure management for the overall wellbeing of the masses.

    Prior to the recent World Bank rating, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration had received an avalanche of similar verdicts and commendations from well-respected bodies. These include the Senate on the judicious utilization of the bailout funds; the BudgIT report, which listed Enugu, Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers; the recent Economic Confidential magazine verdict that listed Enugu among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over-30 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities.

    Others include, the fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, according to the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria; the third most debt sustainable State in Nigeria; the first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State/Final Account for three consecutive years; first in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against Federal Allocation; one of the twelve states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations, among others.

    The climax of the weeks’ event in favour of Gov. Ugwuanyi was the Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s validation of the gale of endorsements for the governor’s re-election by various groups across the state and beyond. The Enugu State chapter of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, which made the stance during its rich and colouful Iri-Ji (New Yam) Festival held at the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, stated that the validation was “an ultimate Seal of Authority in Igbo Land”.

    The highly revered body added that it was also “the most bankable promissory note that beckons on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a Certificate of Return to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi as the governor-elect in Enugu State come 2019”.

    Speaking on behalf of the excited members of the organization’s state chapter, its President, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, further explained that they were amazed at the list of numerous groups in the state that have endorsed the governor for a second term in office, which included – “The traditional rulers council and the members of their cabinets; Association of former elected Local Government Chairmen; Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).

    Others, according to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, include, “NULGE/ LG Pensioners; NURTW; National Assembly members; Enugu State Resident Doctors Association; Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT); Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC); Association of Former Members of Enugu State House of Assembly; Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), etc”.

    It is also remarkable to note that the ex-councilors in the state, between 1999-2015, have thrown their weight behind the governor’s second term bid in 2019 and more groups have continued to endorse him, accordingly, based on his outstanding performance and uncommon leadership style.

    Speaking further, the chapter’s President applauded Gov.  Ugwuanyi’s “steady trajectory of massive infrastructural developments” stressing that it has “turned Enugu State into a huge and seamless construction site with all the tiers of government, namely the federal, state and the local at work in project implementation synergy”.

    According to him, “the above observations by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State Chapter, are reinforced by the clamour for endorsements of Governor Ugwuanyi for his re-election as the governor of Enugu State in the 2019 general election,” revealing that “well over 100 groups have endorsed Governor Ugwuanyi to run for a second term” and “the list of such groups above is a tip of the iceberg”.

     

    • Amoke, writes from Enugu State  

     

     

    In his remark, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who witnessed the historic cultural festival with Gov. Ugwuanyi and other dignitaries, noted that the validation by the Enugu State chapter of the organization was an outward demonstration of solidarity for the governor, saying that “you (Ugwuanyi) are such a humble man that I don’t know how low you can get again in order to show more humility”.

    His words: “Well I cannot say anything rather than that I have noted with great satisfaction what the people of Enugu State have said today. And when I summon the next meeting of Ime-Obi Ohanaeze, which is the highest decision making organ in Igboland, we will take into consideration what was said today because Ohanaeze must look at all our governors and their respective states and say our opinions as to who has been doing well.  On this note, I say congratulations to you, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as we invite you to come and appreciate what we are doing today”.

    During the recent workers’ 100 housing units’ ground breaking ceremony, the TUC National President recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration had provided similar 100 units of one-bedroom apartments for the state’s civil servants between grade levels 01-10, who became proud landlords, after the state government paid 54 percent Equity Contribution.

    Appreciating him further, Comrade Kaigama declared that “Gov. Ugwuanyi is second to none in the provision of workers’ welfare in the South East geo-political zone”, and “a performer and humble leader” who listens when it comes to challenges confronting the workers and the entire people of the state. He stated that the governor has set the pace for other states to emulate, stressing that “Enugu State is working under your leadership and that is not only because you are a performer, but you exhibit the sense of performance with humility”.

    According to him, “we would say it anywhere because you have done it and you are still doing it. We assure that the working class not only in Enugu State but also in the entire nation is supporting you on your efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy”.

    From the foregoing, it is being reaffirmed that Gov. Ugwuanyi has continued to make a positive mark in the governance of Enugu State, through his selfless service, vision, strength of leadership, sheer dexterity, and passion for the wellbeing of the people of the state – the true heroes of democracy. It is therefore, expected of the people to continue to reciprocate this gesture through their solidarity, goodwill and support.

    *Amoke, writes from Enugu State

     

  • The art of selfless service

    The year was 2005. At that time he had absolutely no inkling he would be seeking elective office in future. Writing in the maiden edition of Fegocowosa, the official magazine of his Alma Mata’s alumni association, he rallied old students of the school to give back to the institution that had given them so much. In his words, “We must see to it that the Fegocowosa journal is adequately supported as an effective communication link that will not only bond us together but will become a useful tool in communicating the need to revisit the ideals of Unity Schools by the relevant authorities as well as serve as an inspiration to members to address the compelling subject of leadership challenges in the country”.

    In year 2006, he had no notion that he would one day be at the very centre of partisan politics. In his column in that year’s edition of the journal, he wrote passionately: “Nigeria is in dire need of people who will appreciate its very abundant human and natural resources; people who will appreciate its strength in diversity, people to whom places of birth (a coincidence of which none of us actually had a choice) should be inconsequential in making national decisions; people, who as brothers and sisters, would naturally elect to aid weaker siblings to greater heights without any feelings or cries of being drawn back…Nigeria at this moment more than any other time needs leaders who love the country and whose utmost desire is to share this love among the children of Nigeria”.

    His column in the 2007 edition of the magazine was even more soul stirring, patriotic and impassioned. His essay in that edition was titled ‘The Future Is Now’.  In his words, “It seems to me that we are on the threshold of another independence; this time not from a colonial master, but from a culture of decadence, corruption, mediocrity, dishonesty and tribalism. We are the new founding fathers of a nation of new hope; a Nigeria of honesty and unity; a Nigeria of brotherhood and progress. A Nigeria that is ready to make sacrifices to ensure that all those who previously bent their heads in shame can hold their heads up high, hand on heart and proclaim, “Yes, I am Nigerian and proud to be! I invite you to be part of the great and positive future, the time is now!”

    In the 2008 edition of the journal, the subject under consideration posed several questions bothering his mind in his column.  In his words “why do we have such hopelessness on our streets? Why do we see such unpatriotic behaviour, such naked sabotage permeating every strata of society? Why have we let go of optimism? Why have we traded faith for greed? Why have we dropped the ball? Why have we jettisoned service for self service?…when we find ourselves in or  with less than perfect circumstances, what we are meant to do is to make the best of a bad job. Easier said than done but thank God for the storms of life, thank God for the floods, for the traffic, for the lack, all these things are designed for us to come into our own; to serve, to help our brothers and sisters get up, to rise, to step up to the plate and be counted”.

    When he expressed these thoughts, Mr AkinwunmiAmbode, the leading candidate for next week’s governorship election in Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was not seeking for votes. He had no idea he would one day be running for the governorship of the most important state in Nigeria. We can thus see that long before his foray into the turbulent terrain of politics, Mr Ambode had imbibed and was a fervent advocate of such values as patriotism, love, commitment, loyalty, compassion and, above all, selfless service. He did not just wake up to propound these values in an opportunistic manner to achieve his electoral ambition.

    By the way, the acronym Fegocowosa stands for Federal Government College Warri, where Ambode obtained his Ordinary and Advanced level certificates. Under Ambode’s leadership and guidance, the old students Association of FGC, Warri, has expanded to encompass alumni of other Unity Colleges both within and outside the country, including the U.K. and U.S. chapters. His efforts led to the incorporation in 2006 of the Unity Schools old Students Association (USOSA) made up of Alumni of 100 Unity Schools in Nigeria. Their main purpose is to revitalize and nourish back to health the concept of Unity Schools which had been allowed to fall to the lowest nadir along with the decay of the entire society.

    To the best of my knowledge, Ambode is the first, or one of the very few aspirants in this dispensation who have taken time to methodically and meticulously document in book form, the story of his life from childhood to the present. His biography, ‘The Art of Selfless Service’ is the source of this column’s title today. I am unaware that Mr Akin Ambode’s main opponent, Mr Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has a comparable document apart from what can be gleaned from his website. OtherwiseI would have been duty bound to compare and contrast the two documents just like I did with their respective CVs a few weeks ago.

    Next Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State will no doubt be the most important in the country after the presidential election. This is because of the position of Lagos as the economic, commercial and industrial hub of the nation. I have heard the argument that just as there has been change at the centre, there should be change in Lagos where the progressives have held sway since 1999. This kind of argument delinks the concepts of change and continuity from concrete existential realities. The necessity for change at the centre was predicated, not on the long duration of the PDP in power but its utter mediocrity, impunity and degeneracy that has set the country backward particularly in the Jonathan years. In contradistinction, Lagos has made visible and undeniable progress in virtually all sectors under the progressives making continuity imperative in the state for continued progress.

    Now, what was responsible for the close margin of votes between the APC and PDP in the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Lagos State and what will be the implications for next week’s election? First, was the humongous amounts of money (dollars) poured into the state by the centre in the weeks preceding the election. The second reason was the active instigation of non-indigenes in Lagos against indigenes by the divisive Jonathan Presidency. Third, was the complacency of the APC, which took it for granted that massive victory was already in its hands given its popularity in the state and the appalling non-performance of the Jonathan administration.

    The result of last week’s election will, no doubt, energise Jimi Agbaje’s fledgling and stuttering campaign that never really got off the ground. His performance this time around is a far cry from the creative, vigorous and vibrant campaign he ran in 2007. The outcome of the presidential election should now demonstrate to the good pharmacist that the PDP, on which he seems to have pinned all his hopes is a giant with feet of clay. On the other hand, the APC will most likely be jolted out of its complacency and fully mobilise its cadres to come out massively in the next election and demonstrate which party actually controls the electoral space in Lagos. It will be an interesting election. I wish the contestants best of luck.

  • Tinubu stresses selfless service as Omojola turns 75

    Former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has proposed the establishment of a foundation to be called ‘Baba Omojola Foundation’.

    He said it was to inculcate, preserve and expand the ideas and values of selfless service, which Comrade Oluwide Omojola, a progressive and activist, stands for.

    Tinubu, who was represented by Prof. Adebajo Williams, made the proposal at the 75th birthday celebration of the activist in Lagos at the weekend.

    Urging well meaning Nigerians to donate selflessly to the cause, he described Omojola as a rare gem, who has spent 60 of his 75 years on earth fighting for the good of all Nigerians without asking for any form of compensation.

    Comrade Frank Kokori, who chaired the event, hailed Omojola for standing tall, despite the hassles he went through fighting for the emancipation of the Nigerianstate from the colonial masters and later from the military and corrupt politicians.

    Kokori said it was common these days in Nigeria to find people organising frivolous birthday parties for people who have done nothing for the country, but who, through dubious means, found themselves in one political office or another.

    He said it was a waste of public funds and part of the corruption besetting our nation, when people in their 40s or 50s in public offices, who have not contributed anything to the country, waste so much funds on birthdays.

    Kokori said Omojola is a hero of democracy and is worth celebrating at 75 because he facilitated changes in many aspects of our nation’s life, “having dedicated the best part of his years to working for Nigeria’s economic and political growth”.

    The Secretary-General of the Coalition of Odua Self-determination Group, an umbrella body of the six self-determination groups in Yoruba land, Comrade Rasaq Olookoba, said since he met Omojola in 1989, he has had no cause to regret knowing him.

    He described the septuagenarian as an inspiration to everybody who comes in contact with him.

    Olookoba said: “Baba’s life is an inspiration to some of us, who have devoted our lives to making the world an egalitarian society. His life style is recommended for everybody who means well for the society. If his life style is followed, the society will be better for it.”

    He said though Omojola was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he took to a hard life to help the down trodden in the society, adding that he has never regarded himself as an influential person.

    Olookoba said: “He has dedicated his scholarship, wealth and energy to the struggle to make Nigeria a better place for all of us and for our country’s liberation. Someone like Omojola, who has been to so many fronts fighting for Nigeria and Africa, is worth celebrating. He did not pursue wealth or position, even though he had many opportunities to dump the struggle and go for those things as others did.”

    In a lecture titled: “An overview of the progressive movement in Africa”, Dr. Nkem Onyeke of the Department of History and International Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), said for one to be called a progressive, he must have the political consciousness and ideology aimed at changing the status-quo for the benefit of the majority.

    Nkem said while conservatives work for the benefit of a few, progressives ensure that the resources are used for the good of the greater number in the society.

    He said the progressive movements in Nigeria are mainly concerned with how to capture political power.

    Nkem advocated the devolution of more resources to other tiers of government, stressing that this would ensure rapid development as opposed to the present concentration of resources at the centre, coupled with corruption.

    He urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reach out to people with progressive minds in other parties to form a national government to work for the majority.

    Another member of the lecture panel, Prof. Idowu Awopetan, said the current progressive politics in Nigeria refers to those who are out of power and are looking for a way to get back. He said what is lacking is proper coordination of youths to participate actively in politics.

    Awopetan said: “We need to create politics and ideology on the way our economy should run for the people and not the way it is now.”

    Convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER) Ayo Opadakun said if the Nation fails to reward Omojola’s contributions to national growth, God would reward him.

    Omojola told The Nation that he was exposed very early in life to activism to liberate Nigeria from the colonialists.

    He regretted that over 50 years after independence, Nigeria is yet to be economic independent and is still propagating the economic ideas of its former colonial masters in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Omojola said the country needs home—grown policies to develop. He advocated the convocation of a national conference where Nigerians will decide “if we are to stay together and how”.