All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday promised to resolve pressing national challenges, including corruption, insecurity and unemployment, if elected as the President in February 14 presidential election.
He also promised to fight the infrastructure battle in Lagos State as part of moves to restore the glory of the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The former military leader said the state will be given a special attention as the economic hub and commercial nerve centre.
Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who spoke at a mega rally in Lagos, urged Nigerians to vote for the APC for a better Nigeria. They promised to offer a credible, transparent and accountable leadership, which will halt the economic depression and collapse of social infrastructure.
At the carnival-like rally, which lasted for nine hours, the National APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described Buhari as the best candidate to salvage the country during the crisis period, noting that when developed countries were in similar situation, they beckoned on their retired generals for good governance.
He said: “In the last 70 years of nationhood, you have seen series of political crises. But one man has been very consistent, steadfast, brilliant, courageous, resolute, and an advocate of the poor. That is Buhari.”
The Chairman of the APC in Lagos State and the governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, promised to deliver 85 per cent of the votes to Buhari. Assuring that the progressive beat will continue in Lagos, Ajomale said: “Lagos will deliver 85 per cent of the votes to you (Buhari). Jonathan will not get 25 per cent of the votes.”
Lagosians defied the early morning downpour to converge on the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, venue of the mega rally. Brooms, the symbol of the party, filled the air as party leaders from the six geo-political zones stormed the campaign ground, waving to the jubilating crowd, singing and dancing.
The crowd was huge. However, the crowd outside the stadium was more than the crowd inside the main bowl.
On stage to entertain them was ace fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde. There were also artistes, who enjoined the crowd to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them perform their civic responsibility.
Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), led by Alhaji Agbede, and National Road Transport Employment Association, led by Ahmed Musa, endorsed the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.
Buhari, who stormed the stadium around 2.15 pm, was accompanied by his wife, Hajia Aisha; his running mate, Osinbajo, and wife, Dolapo, granddaughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the Chairman of the Campaign Team, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and his Lagos, Osun, Edo and Imo state counterparts, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Chief Rauf Aregbesola, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Owelle Rochas Okorocha; the National Deputy Chairman, Mr. Segun Oni; the National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure; former Ekiti State governors Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi and Senator Bukola Saraki, and former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Oyegun, who presided over the ceremony, presented flags to Buhari and Osinbajo, Ambode and his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, and Lagos Central, East and West senatorial flag bearers-Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Hon. Olamilekan Adeola.
Other chieftains at the rally included Lagos State Deputy Governor Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Tony Adefuye, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Hon. James Faleke, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Comrade Joe Igbokwe who rendered the opening prayer, Hon. Fuad Oki, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Mr. Dele Alake, Chief Chris Ekwilo, Mr. Abiodun Salam, Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo, Hon. Abiodun Mafe and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was the master of ceremonies.
Buhari chided the PDP-led Federal Government for failing the test of leadership, saying that it has failed to resolve insecurity, economic depression, bribery and corruption and unemployment. He said: “Whatever we are going to do will help restore Nigeria back.”
Stressing that the insurgency in the Northeast is unacceptable, Buhari, who promised to turn around all the sectors, said that his administration would provide jobs, defend education, and restore security.
The former military leader added: “After all what we have gone through in the past 15 years of the PDP, the APC has identified three fundamental programmes that have to be taken immediately. One of them is to tackle insecurity. Two, returning the economy back on track, and tackling bribery and corruption.
“But whatever we are going to do, we must secure Nigeria first. Most importantly, is the Northeast where hundreds of school children are still missing. We are confident that our military can perform, but what they need now is leadership.
“We have more than 60 per cent of youths in this country, whether they went to school or not, it is the responsibility of government to provide jobs. Whichever way we look at it, corruption still remains the bane of the country.
“This is equally visible in education; it is not properly catered for in this country. There is no legacy that is better than education. If you are educated, the chance to excel will be there. It is the responsibilities of government to provide good education for the people.
“It is very important that we vote out the PDP from the top to the bottom. This is in the interest of our nation.
“Where is the Nigerian Airways? Where is the Nigerian National Shipping Line? Where are they now? Go and find out how much money they had made from 1999 till now. And where is NEPA?
“After spending about $20 billion on power, what we are getting is still very insignificant. This is because of the incompetence of the PDP from top to bottom. Nigerians have suffered enough and must ensure that PDP is voted out.
“And for Lagos, in particular, they have allowed infrastructure decay to become the lots of Lagos. Infrastructure maintenance ought to be the responsibility of the government, being a former federal capital. I assure you, APC will do that.”
Tinubu said: “We want to thank and pay a special tribute to Buhari for his doggedness and concern for the country. What he earns from what he had worked for is enough for him to go and sit back and relax. But, his patriotic zeal and love for his fatherland would not allow him to do that.
“Today, there is the cry for change. At the federal level, we will change them. We praise Buhari for his courage and love for his fatherland.
“I want to say that, not because Bola Tinubu is not interested in becoming President of the country; he is capable, competent, qualified, youthful and richer. But, there are people who make sacrifice for their nations.
“In the last 70 years of this nation, there have been all sorts of political upheavals, but one man has been a very consistent, steadfast, brilliant, courageous advocate of the poor.
“One man made some remarks about Buhari’s age. I stayed in the corner and prayed that this person will live to a ripe old age. But I pray that Nigeria will get better so that we rejoice.
“We are in a great crisis. We are facing a lot of challenges. Some of them are like those we have in other climes. When South Africa was in great dilemma and about to disintegrate, they called on Nelson Mandela, who was 74 years old, and in his wisdom, he returned South Africa to the right path.
“When America was in economic depression, they called a 72 years old Ronald Reagan to get the economy back because he was prudent and incorruptible.”
Tinubu also recalled that when France was in distress, the people beckoned on Charles de Gauelle to lead the country to recovery.
He said when Britain had challenges, the people requested 73 year-old former Prime Minister Winston Churchill to lead them to progress.
He added: “Let me take you back on political history again. When we started about two or three years ago, they thought everything about ACN and APC was impossible. I told them there was a gathering storm, a positive thought, coming as a movement to change Nigeria.
” When America was faced with civil war and depression, they called a retired General Dwight Eisenhower to rescue the country. America was returned on the full tract of recovery and success.
“When France was in trouble, great turmoil and economic depression, civil war and violence, they called a retired general, Charles de Gulle to rescue them.
“Britain, from whom we earned our independence, our colonial master, they have their own history of trouble and challenges, they called a retired General, Winston Churchill, at the age of 73 to rescue Britain.
“What do you need now? Change. This is the time for General Buhari. Whether qualified or not qualified, we are calling on you to come and rescue Nigeria.”
Fashola, the host governor, urged Lagosians to collect their voter cards ahead of the polls, stressing that they can only change the government by voting wisely.
He flayed President Goodluck Jonathan for his broken promises to the state, especially the non-fulfilment of his promise to construct the road leading to the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja.
The governor also complained that the President frustrated the light rail project linking Lagos with Ogun State by denying Lagos a right-of-way approval.
Fashola also said that Dr. Jonathan has not shown commitment to the proposed sea ports in Lekki and Badagry because the Federal Government has refused to fulfill its financial obligations towards the take-off of the project.
The governor said Buhari will halt the problem encountered by the people of Apapa, where 4,000 tankers lift fuel on a daily basis.
Urging the people to vote for APC, he said: “Let us get our PVCs and go out on February 14 to show love to Buhari and Osinbajo by voting massively for the APC.”
Amaechi observed that the PDP is jittery because change is imminent. He warned against rigging, saying that Nigerians will resist fraud.
The Rivers governor said the election is a referendum on his performance and that of the President, who he said, has no achievement in the Southsouth state.
Urging Nigerians to vote for Buhari, he said Lagosians should vote for Ambode to succeed Fashola.
The Southwest Women leader, Mrs. Nelson, urged women to reject the PDP because President Jonathan has failed to rescue the abducted Chibok girls.
Oshiomhole said: “The challenge for Nigeria today is about creating jobs. They will not be created through token policies. We need a government that will put in place a coherent industrial policy that will bring back Michelin and Dunlop back to Nigeria and resuscitate other industrial estates in Ikeja and Ogba.
“You cannot create jobs by giving money to thugs. After 16 years, it is clear that PDP has no idea. For 16 years, no power supply. Instead of reforming power, they are deforming it. Enough of prejudice.
“It is time to bring a trusted and trusted leader. Gen. Buhari has no money, yet he was governor, minister of petroleum and Head of State. You need a man who will not steal to curb corruption.”
Okorocha, who decried the politics of ethnicity and religion being promoted by the PDP, said Buhari’s victory has been signed, sealed and delivered.
Aregbesola said: “The issue involved in this election is the sustenance of poverty and abolition of poverty. If you are interested in poverty, misery and hardship, vote for the PDP. If you believe there must be an end to poverty, misery and hardship, vote for the APC.”
The Osun State governor lamented that some parts of Nigeria, which was a united country, have been taken over by insurgents.
Odigie-Oyegun thanked the crowd for its resilience, stressing that only those who are foolish can ignore the momentum for change.
He said: “I have seen people’s sweat for change. The youths want change.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu said: “Today, we are witnessing the beginning of the restoration of Nigeria.”
She urged her constituents to renew her mandate for a second term in the Upper Chamber.
Ashafa promised that Lagos senators will assist in the making of laws that will move Nigeria forward under Buhari.
Adeola, a member of the House of Representatives, said corruption has engulfed Nigeria, leading to economic hardship. He assured that there will be a clean break from the past, if Buhari is elected.
Ambode predicted that President Jonathan will lose the election, advising Nigerians to brace up for change at the centre.
Urging Lagosians to vote for continuity in the Centre of Excellence, he promised to build on the legacies of Tinubu and Fashola administrations. Ambode, who echoed Ajomale’s remarks that Lagos will deliver 85 per cent of the votes to Buhari, said the people will resist rigging.
Mrs. Aishat Buhari urged women to vote for the APC because they have the numerical strength to effect change through voting.
Osinbajo said: “It is time for God to rescue Nigeria from corruption, poverty, joblessness and insecurity. Our time of deliverance has come. The train of freedom has arrived. On February 14, with your PVC, you will cause a change, a fundamental change in this country. That change is what we have been waiting for since 1960. It shall arrive February 14 when you vote General Muhammadu Buhari as the President of Nigeria.
“Some people are afraid. The only reason why they are afraid is that they fear that corruption will end. If corruption does not end, poverty cannot end. If corruption does not end, job cannot appear from anywhere. If corruption does not end, education cannot survive.
“With corruption, you cannot build hospitals when some people are keeping all the money in their pockets. Don’t let them deceive you. Some people are saying there is an Islamization agenda. Tell them it is not true. Tell them the only truth is that we all know General Buhari is an honest man, he is a straightforward man. He will fight corruption. He wants this country to be better and, by the grace of the Almighty God, on May 29, he will be the President of Nigeria.”
Sowabomate Ibiene Emmanuelle Agiobu-Kemmer, (Feb 1962-Jan. 2000) Remembering “The Beautiful Teacup”
“A Beautiful Daffodil The Sunshine of Spring,
Was the Blossom of my Garden
Until an Angel came
At nightfall
To pluck
My beautiful Daffodil,
The Sunshine of Spring
Away into the skies
To light the world of memories…”
“God knows what He is doing for all of us. He is the porter and we are His clay. He will mould us and make us so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfil His Good, Pleasing and Perfect Will”
This was the last message sent by Miss Sowabomate Agiobu-Kemmer, one of the victims on board the ill-fated Kenyan Airways, which crashed on January 31, 2000 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, killing about 169 out of 179 passengers and crew on board.
This message, found in an e-mail she sent to some friends whom she regularly shared the gospel with, had its focus on God’s purpose for creating every individual: and as a finished product of His creation, each individual was the exact picture of what God wanted him or her to be, right from inception. She illustrated her message with a story of a couple who had been married for 25 years and whose love for antiques, especially pottery was profound. They had gone antique shopping one day in England, in a beautiful antique shop, which had a rare tea cup. The couple could not but express their admiration for the beauty of the cup.
But as they were admiring it, the cup spoke to them about its transformation and the accompanying pains from an ordinary clay to a beautiful tea cup, which was not its original form, despite its protest.
The cup took the couple through its various stages of transformation, which were painful and excruciating. These included from clay to the spinning stage, rolling to molding and baking, to painting, glazing and baking again. These processes the cup admitted, were painful and tedious, but at the end, they brought out the beauty in it.
Miss Agiobu-Kemmer, “Boma” (which means God’s Blessing) as she was fondly called by all, illustrated in her message that the tea cup was later told by its Maker after viewing itself and appreciating its own beauty in the mirror, that if it had not gone through the various excruciating stages of transformation, the beauty that came out of it would not have emerged.
“I want you to remember that I know it hurts to be rolled and beaten, but if I had left you alone, you would have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked. I knew the fumes were bad, when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you would never have hardened, you would not have had any color in your life. And if I hadn’t put you back in the second oven, you wouldn’t survive for very long, because the hardness wouldn’t have held. Now you are a perfect finished product. You were what I had in mind when I first began with you.”
According to ‘Boma’, there cannot be any further alteration in human life, save for that, which he was created to suit. Man was created by the Lord in line with whatever divine plan and purpose He had in mind before His creation. Perhaps, ‘Boma’ Agiobu-Kemmer was subtly telling the story of her life and her transformation before she became born again to her friends, using the story of the beautiful teacup.
‘Boma’ as she was fondly called before her sudden death was a very active member of the Deeper life Bible Church and Ministries, Rivers State District. Because of her standing in church, she was on the missionary team to East Africa and was home-bound, after as successful evangelical trip to the French-speaking Island of Madagascar and on board the ill fated flight KQ430 when it crashed in Abidjan shortly after take-off.
Well known for her generosity, gentle nature and philanthropy. Boma’s death was a terrible and irreparable loss, both to her family and community which she gave selfless and tireless service, while showing so much love for all humanity.
Born into a family which was not only blue-blooded, but distinguished in both public and international life, her late father, Reverend R.S.G Agiobu-Kemmer was a renowned educationist, a diplomat, minister and a traditional chief. Her mother, Mrs. Margaret Agiobu-Kemmer was a distinguished member of the nursing profession retiring as matron of the Lagos General Hospital, after many years of meritorious service. She was an active church and community leader.
Miss Sowabomate Agiobu-Kemmer was the Senior Human Resources Adviser, Recruitment and Training, Shell Petroleum Development Company, until her death. She was described by Mr. Subair, head of Human Resources Department as “an invaluable asset, a highly intelligent, hardworking and amiable staff.” The pastor and founder of the Deeper Life Bible Church and Ministries, Pastor William F. Kumuyi described Miss Sowabomate Agiobu-Kemmer as “a very devoted member and worker in the Church, whose death is even a greater blow to the Church of God.” He prayed for the family to take solace in the scriptures as he quoted the Psalmist who says “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
As the fourth of five children of the late Chief and Mrs R.S.G. Agiobu-Kemmer, Boma was educated in Nigeria, Britain and France.
She received her secondary education both from Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, Surrey in England, before she proceeded to the University of Bordeaux, France, where she obtained both her First and Masters degree in French, other European languages and linguistics.
She was also a certified professional in Personnel Management. She was a professional wine-brewer and ‘nose’ (those licensed to taste and certify wines) a pastime which she gave up after becoming born again.
Her other passion, she never gave up was cookery.
She was also a cordon-bleu cook, a first class cook, who spoilt everyone with her mouth watering and delectable fare. She loved art.
She had her wedding plans, which she hoped to start as soon as she returned from her trip. Alas, it was not to be, she never made it.
However, as if she knew, she had left for everyone, a message of consolation in her last e-mail, “The Story of the Beautiful Tea-Cup” Life may be brief, but Memories never fade.
“We pass this way but once, only that which is done for Christ will remain.” Selah!
