The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tinubu

  • Tinubu Congratulates Akeredolu. Urges Party Unity Going Forward.

    Tinubu Congratulates Akeredolu. Urges Party Unity Going Forward.

    Following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with regard to the governorship elections in Ondo State, I extend congratulations to Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN on the outcome of the election and for his perseverance and persistence in seeking that office .
    I must also  congratulate the  people of Ondo State for their generally exemplary conduct on election day and for demonstrating their will to shun the regressive politics of yesterday by  returning to the  progressive brand of politics that has been the trademark of the people of that state.
    I congratulate all party members in the state, particularly the party leadership in the Southwest.
    Finally, I must express  profound congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari, the national leader of the party, whose stature and dignity helped guide the APC to another victory that should advance the progressive aims of the party and the people.
    To all the people and parties in Ondo.  Your election has been had and held. Now is the time that all must  work for the continued development, prosperity and peace of your state and  our beloved country.

    I appeal to all party members including  those who have been disaffected from the primary until today to come together for the good of our   party and it’s progressive ideals.

    -Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    Jagaban Borgu.

  • Tinubu to ex-Vice President: you’re a man of faith

    Tinubu to ex-Vice President: you’re a man of faith

    Former Lagos State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a man of faith, saying faith has kept him going and waxing strong.

    In a letter he signed, Tinubu felicitated with Atiku on attaining the age of 70 and urged him to accept that “there is a tide in the affairs of men”.

    In the letter in which he addressed Atiku as his dear brother, the former Lagos State governor said: ”I write to felicitate with you on the attainment of the proverbial age of three scores and ten, 70.

    “Your life has been a life of service to your people, your country and the causes you believe in. Nigeria has been well-served by your stewardship and leadership.

    “Your steadfastness in walking the democratic path sets you apart as a leader with substance.

    “Your passion for education has seen you invest your time and resources in education, knowing full well that when you educate people, you educate a nation.

    “You are a man of faith. Your faith has kept you going and kept you strong.  I urge you to accept that there is a tide in the affairs of men.  You must continue to serve Nigeria well even as a private citizen and a notable leader.

    “Do not relent because Nigeria needs you and others like you to continue to make life more meaningful.

    “We must continue to explore common grounds towards promoting the common good.

    ‘I pray for a long life and continued good health for Turaki Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar”.

  • Tinubu, Ayoola, others for Bola Ige lecture

    Tinubu, Ayoola, others for Bola Ige lecture

    Two frontline lawyers and Senior Advocates, Lateef Fagbemi and Festus Keyemo, will deliver keynote speeches at the 15th Bola Ige Memorial Symposium that will hold next month at Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja.

    The symposium with the theme: Political Assassinations and Our Criminal Justice System in Nigeria: The Impediments, is being organised by Bola Ige Centre for Justice.

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is the special guest of honour at the event. Osun and Lagos that Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Akinwunmi Ambode are expected to grace the event.

    Former chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (rtd), will chair the occasion. Other guests being expected include Prof Kolawole Ogundowole of the University of Lagos and Mrs Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, among others.

  • Tinubu, Ekweremadu for Igbo carnival

    Tinubu, Ekweremadu for Igbo carnival

    National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, are among dignitaries expected at the general Igbo cultural fiesta scheduled for Saturday at the National Stadium, Lagos.

    The traditional gong has been released and town criers have been mandated to announce to all Igbo’s in Lagos to turn out in their best and embrace the carnival with pomp and celebration.

    According to Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chief Tobechukwu Ezeani, the carnival, tagged ‘Ndigbo Unity Rally’, is propelled by a deep consensus among Igbo’s in Lagos and the Diaspora that “our spectacular cultural diversities must be harnessed as a showpiece of our strength in unity, and speed through oneness”.

    Chief Ezeani, who emphasised that our heritage as a people is among the world finest, said his committee is working in concert with leading business entrepreneurs, the intelligentsia,  town unions and market associations to renew and revive our best today for a bigger tomorrow.

    He said Ndigbo are being mobilised for a productive leap to the next level possible through the awakening of shared values of love, unity and accommodation.

    “We are inviting all nationalities, especially our dear host community, to this epic cultural confetti because the bond of humanity is most eloquent in sharing. After all, a masquerade cannot enjoy dancing without spectators,” he said.

  • Tinubu hale, hearty, says Senator Afikuyomi

    Tinubu hale, hearty, says Senator Afikuyomi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hale and hearty, his ally, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi said yesterday.
    Afikuyomi refuted the claim by Plateau State Governor Solomon Lalong that the absence of Asiwaju Tinubu at last Saturday’s Ondo State APC governorship rally was as a result of his ill-health.
    In a statement, the one-time Lagos State commissioner described the claim credited to the Plateau State governor as incorrect.
    Afikuyomi said: “I travelled to the United States of America with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to witness the recent U.S. elections. We traversed a number of cities together where we engaged with a number of Nigerians who are genuinely concerned about the state of affairs in our dear country.
    Jagaban was in a remarkable state of mental and physical wellness. When we ended our trip, I saw him off to the airport in Chicago from where he headed for Europe again. I still met with him in Europe thereafter.
    “It is therefore absolutely incorrect and most embarrassing for anyone to attempt to invent such a laughable reason for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s absence at the rally. The fact that somebody went for medical check-up does not mean he is ill. In the likely event that Asiwaju, like all mortals, was ill at all, I doubt if Mr. Lalong would be the first to know by reason of relationship, proximity and trust.
    “Prominent politicians like Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun have been speaking with Jagaban Tinubu.
    “Governor Amosun particularly communicated with him a day before the Ondo rally and he can never claim not to have spoken with him. I have also remained in constant touch with Asiwaju Tinubu since my arrival in Nigeria. We speak daily as a matter of fact.
    “I have been inundated with calls by friends, associates and other well-meaning Nigerians trying to ascertain the veracity of this ludicrous claim. I hereby ask all friends and lovers of Asiwaju Tinubu to dismiss the claim and know that he is hale and hearty.”
    Asiwaju Tinubu, former APC Interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and three governors from the South-west – Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) – were not at the rally.
    Governor Lalong had in his capacity as the Chairman of the Ondo State Governorship Campaign explained that Tinubu was absent at the rally due to ill health.
    Lalong was quoted to have told State House Correspondents after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari that, “if a leader was not there and he said he was not there because of ill-health, we have prayed that God will heal him.”

  • ‘Leave Tinubu alone’

    ‘Leave Tinubu alone’

    Nigerians have been urged to disregard the mudslinging and political gang-up against the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    Chairman of The Mandate Group Lagos, a component of the APC, Ganiyu Abayomi Badmus, spoke yesterday in Lagos.
    He said Tinubu had done more for the political emancipation of the ruling party than he was getting.
    Badmus said members of The Mandate Group Lagos were solidly behind him.
    “The Mandate Group Lagos has watched with interest the conspiracies and political grandstanding against our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu.
    “We have observed that those Tinubu laboured for and toiled hard to make human beings today are now turning back to bite the fingers that fed them.
    “It is not known to history that anyone that bites the fingers that fed him will survive the storm. As for us in The Mandate Group, we want to state that we are solidly behind Tinubu.
    “Nigerians and indeed Lagosians should open their eyes and not allow anyon to deceive them.
    “No amount of political machinations and propaganda against Tinubu will stand the test of time as he will always outshine his antagonists as he always done in the past,” Badmus said.

  • Dasuki‘ll be remembered for his tolerance, says Tinubu

    Dasuki‘ll be remembered for his tolerance, says Tinubu

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday eulogised the virtues of the late former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki.

    In a statement by his Media Office, the former Lagos State governor described the death of Dasuki as “discomforting”.

    “With his demise, the nation has lost a national icon, highly-referred royal father and religious leader. Sultan Dasuki was a friend of the late Islamic scholar Abubakar Gumi and he contributed a lot to the birth of Islamic movement, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNL),” the APC stalwart said.

    The statement added: “Dasuki, the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, was a seasoned technocrat, administrator, diplomat and business titan. Alhaji Dasuki joined the northern regional civil service in 1953, heeding the call of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, for northerners to join the service. He was to serve Ahmadu Bello a year later as private secretary, during which time he understudied the late sage. He was a close associate of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and imbibed his ideals.

    “In business, the late sultan recorded many milestones and served as a beacon for many latter-day businessmen in the country, particularly in the North. From around 1965 until he was crowned sultan, he left the civil service and concentrated fully on business. He was chairman of Northern Nigeria Produce Marketing Board, an organisation involved with marketing the export of groundnut and distribution of seeds and chemicals.

    He was director and later chairman of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

    “He was installed Sultan of Sokoto after the death of Abubakar Siddique, the 17th Sultan of Sokoto, on November 1, 1988.  As sultan, he was a champion of the downtrodden, the talakawas.  When in 1996 he was deposed by the late General Sani Abacha military junta, he took his deposition with philosophical calmness and went on to live for another 20 years after, passing on at the age of 93.

    “I commiserate with his family, the Sultan of Sokoto,  Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultanate Council, the Islamic Ummah and the people of Sokoto State.

    “May Almighty Allah grant him Alijanna Fridaus (Amin).”

  • Tinubu, Saraki, Lamido, others to be honoured in Ibadan

    Tinubu, Saraki, Lamido, others to be honoured in Ibadan

    EMINENT Nigerians will on Saturday converge on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to receive awards of excellence for their contributions to national development.
    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido; wife of former Military Head of State Sani Abacha, Mrs Maryam Abacha and daughter of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, Hajiya Aisha Babangida, are among those to be honoured at the event to be chaired by the Zamfara State Governor, AbdulAziz Yari.
    The Board of Trustees Chairman of the National Progressive Youth Forum of Nigeria (NPYN), Southwest chapter, which is organising the event, Hon Gbolagade Abiodun, told reporters that the deeds of the selected Nigerians were in tandem with the motto of the body, “Helping the masses is our priority.”
    NPYN, one of the youth organisations in the All Progressives Congress (APC), listed a former Governor of Lagos State and National leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the father of the day.

    Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and his wife, Florence, are grand chief host and mother of the day.
    Gbolagade, a former Special Assistant to Governor Ajimobi, said the 2016 edition of the award was in keeping with the vision of the group in honouring and encouraging leaders, who have served the country selflessly and have impacted the lives of future generation.

  • Oil downturn: Nigeria’s firms must rise to challenge, says Tinubu

    Oil downturn: Nigeria’s firms must rise to challenge, says Tinubu

    Oando Plc Group Chief Executive Wale Tinubu has reaffirmed Africa’s position as an exciting prospect for investors, irrespective of the current clime of low oil prices.

    He spoke as a panelist on the topic: ‘Resilience of the Oil and Gas Industry: An African Perspective’ at the recently-concluded Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC).

    Tinubu said: “We expect a soft market will persist for longer than we anticipated, and indigenous companies such as Oando need to now focus on areas multinationals have avoided.”

    Players within the continent have battled severe economic and security challenges, as reduced rig counts, delayed and cancelled projects, vandalism and depreciating export revenues have plagued the industry.

    He explained that with hundreds of million dollars lost due to pipeline shut-ins since Q1 2016, $6 billion lost to crude oil theft and vandalism and 3,000 pipeline points vandalised in under a year, it was imperative that Nigeria and other countries proffer “immediate solutions and turn challenges into opportunities”.

    He added: “At the moment, the Nigerian government is working to drive supply in a more efficient manner. However, we must also work with a long-term view to reduce our heavy dependence on oil by undergoing an energy transformation. But for this to occur, we require a tide of reforms, investments and innovation to drive speedy market recovery.”

    The oil industry is in its deepest downturn since the 1990s. While prices have recovered marginally a few times over the last year, the industry-wide belief remains that oil prices will not return to $90 or $100 a barrel for another few years.

    Against this backdrop President and CEO, Qatar Petroleum Saad Sherida Al Kaabi said: “Invest heavily in the downturn to ensure you are successful in the long term” and His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy, Abu Dhabi, UAE, said:  “We will use the downturn to improve efficiency”.

    Tinubu reiterated his belief that portfolio optimisation, hedging, mergers and consolidations, a cut in CAPEX and cost management as well as energy diversification are key measures for managing the downturn in the industry. He said: “To better navigate the challenging economic environment, Oando has taken a number of strategic actions, including the successful restructuring of our existing debt obligations through a N108 billion Medium Term Loan, a N70.5 billion recapitalisation of our downstream business and a soon to be completed N52.3 billion partial diversification of our Gas & Power business.  At a time when the economy is experiencing stunted growth, strategic actions of this nature leave us better positioned to optimise our value propositions and asset portfolio.”

    ADIPEC is one of the world’s leading oil and gas conferences hosting over 95,000 attendees, including industry leaders and energy ministers, and is the foremost ground for discussing burning issues in the global energy sector, the future and emerging market opportunities.

    Present at the four-day conference were oil and gas heavyweights, including Bob Dudley, Group Chief Executive, British Petroleum; Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO, Total; Claudio Descalzi, CEO, Eni Agip; Darren W. Woods, President, Exxon Mobil Corporation and His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy, UAE.

  • Youths protest ‘gang-up’ against Tinubu

    Youths protest ‘gang-up’ against Tinubu

    HUNDREDS of youths trooped out in Lagos yesterday protesting what they described as gang-up against the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by the party hierarchy.
    The youths who converged at the frontage of the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, Alausa, Ikeja embarked on “Bola Tinubu Loyalty Walk” that terminated at the APC state secretariat along ACME road also in Ikeja.

    They were received by the APC leaders in the state including party chairman Otunba Henry Ajomale, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Vice chairman; Chief Babatunde Ologunde and Olumuyiwa John, the Deputy Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly.

    The leader of the protesting youth, Akanbi Afonja said we are protesting against the gang up against Tinubu and to express our unflinching support for him as APC national leader.

    Akanbi said:  “Tinubu has done much for the APC to win the presidential election. We know what he deserves; he’s a man of honour; a trail blazer and a builder. We are not happy with what is going on among the leadership of the APC.

    “The gang-up against Tinubu is unfair. We want you (our leaders in the Southwest) to stand firm. Without Asiwaju everything is hollow. He introduced APC and President Muhammadu Buhari to us. Asiwaju fought for him but he is now being paid back in negative form. Our support for him is 100 percent,” Afonja reiterated.

    Responding, Ajomale thanked the youths for rising against the attempt to rubbish Tinubu. He said they have done a lot by showing the vibrancy of younger generation and urged them “not to allow our leader to be rubbished.”

    Ajomale stated that Tinubu was the brain behind the formation and creation of APC, saying nobody can take away the leadership of the party from him.

    He said the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) which Tinubu led to the negotiation table for the formation of APC was a senior partner. We went there with six governors, the highest produced by the parties that merged to form APC.

    “What we want is justice. Whatever you do you must reap the fruits of your labour. Asiwaju started the revolution against changing the PDP government, he should not be rubbished. Asiwaju is not fighting to become President of Nigeria but for the welfare of the common people.

    “Someone is trying to put things right but few are trying to create problems within the party in order to truncate our plan for the country, we won’t allow them,” he said.

    Odunmbaku said nobody can ignore the contribution of Tinubu in the formation of the APC and the role he played towards the victory of the party in the last general elections.