PRESIDENT BUHARI, NIGERIA’S TOP ECHELON OF POWER EXTOLS THE JAGABAN OF AFRICA AT 69
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Congratulations have started pouring in and will yet pour in from all over the world for the Jagaban of Borgu and All Progressives Congress (APC)’s bigwig, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he celebrates his 69th birthday today.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari in his congratulatory message which reads: ‘The President rejoices with the “patriot and statesman” on the 12th colloquium, an intellectual gathering to commemorate his birthday, that had over the years turned into a veritable opportunity for discussing topical national issues, and harnessing ideas that will move the nation forward.
Looking at the theme of the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, “Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth: Imperative of National Cohesion for Growth and Prosperity’’, President Buhari believes the choice of further highlighting loyalty to the country and the shared vision that will bring harmony and well-being to everyone is most timely, clearly reflecting Sen. Tinubu’s patriotism and benevolence. The President affirms that the former Lagos State Governor has inspired many leaders and continues to nurture talents for the benefit of the country, while acknowledging his role in the stability of the APC, and advocating good governance.’
On his part, President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan shared: ‘I felicitate with His Excellency, Asiwaju Tinubu on this joyous occasion. A leader of leaders, political strategists and astute administrator, Asiwaju Tinubu has in three decades of active roles in the politics of Nigeria impacted many lives and greatly contributed to improving the polity. His achievements and the development foundations he laid in Lagos as the first elected governor of the state in the Fourth Republic have secured his place in the history of the state. That is the reason he has continued to loom large on the political stage 14 years after he last held a political office. The Jagaban Borgu is also a founding father of our great party, the APC, and has been consistent alongside our other leaders in guiding the ruling party along a progressive path for the growth of our democracy and the development of our nation.
Asiwaju Tinubu has been unwavering in his commitment to the unity of Nigeria and in his belief in its destiny as a great nation with a happy and prosperous people, despite the current challenges of nation-building’.
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege established about Asiwaju Bola Tinubu: ‘Without question, you have written your name in gold. You have devoted your life to public service with extraordinary courage, resilience and tenacity of purpose. We appreciate your patriotic commitment to nation building. You are the architect of modern Lagos and the story of the state would be incomplete without you. On behalf of the people of Delta Central Senatorial District, I send my congratulations and best wishes and thank you for your selfless service to humanity and the nation as you mark your 69th birthday.’
The no. 4 man at the helms in Nigeria and Speaker of Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila commended: ‘This is a great day once again in the life of a great man and an exemplary leader, the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose 69th birthday should be celebrated by all. The Jagaban of Borgu kingdom means many positive things to different people. To some, he is an emancipator; to others, he is a great philanthropist. Yet, to some people, Asiwaju is a rallying point, a unifying pillar…Despite his achievements in life, the great Asiwaju does not blow his trumpet and remains unassuming, which is his hallmark. For those of us that come from his “school”, we know that he stands for justice and fairness for all. His presence in our political space is more than a blessing to us all’.
The Governor of Ekiti state and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, John Kayode Fayemi described the National leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) as a selfless leader whose penchant and knack for identify and nurture political leaders to stardom remains legendary. The governor said Tinubu’s uncommon political sagacity and generosity of spirit made him stand out as one of the leading lights of progressive politics in the country. He described the former Lagos Governor as a distinguished Nigerian and a leader who is courageous, reliable, dependable and passionate.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo states added: ‘Asiwaju Tinubu’s ability to identify, nurture and engage talents is unequalled. His life has been a testimony of human capital development in an unrelenting struggle for a better life for the people. He is not only an accomplished politician, he is a statesman par excellence, a dogged fighter and a strong voice in the fight against military dictatorship and enthronement of democratic rule in the country. We can only wish him many more useful and productive years in service to humanity.’
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state stated: ‘On behalf of my family, the Government and the good people of Ogun State, I felicitate the National Leader of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and statesman, H.E. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 69th birthday. Your towering accomplishments, from the corporate world to being Senator of the Federal Republic, representing Lagos West to being elected twice as Governor and as the only governor standing during the 2003 Tsunami are testimonies of a political icon.’
The royal fathers also congratulated the elder statesman. The Emir of Kano, Emir Ado Bayero said about Asiwaju Tinubu, ‘With you, NIGERIA will be united the more. We are with you’. Also, the Emir of Borgu, Niger state, HRH Alh. Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III remarked: ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been known to risk his life and the lives of his dear ones in defense of the truth’.
The Special Adviser for Drainage and Water Resources in Lagos, Joe Igbokwe said: ‘No leader in the history of this country living or dead has built the kind of leaders ASIWAJU BAT has built in last 21 years. Asiwaju BAT has been busy building bridges across Nigeria while others have been busy burning bridges across Nigeria. The pay day cometh! I follow ASIWAJU because he knows where he is going. I follow ASIWAJU because he cares. I follow ASIWAJU because he is dependable. I follow ASIWAJU because he can be trusted. I follow ASIWAJU because he stands for something’.
