Osoba, Yunusa, Mojekwu Unveiled I Stand For A United Nigeria at Trek Africa Awards 2017
When the prestigious Trek Africa Awards finally held on the 29th of October, it proved to be worth the wait. The event was a delight to the crowd which consisted primarily of African elites and past eminent statesmen who expressed their views, concerns and opinions on core issues affecting the continent.
Organizers of the event also commemorated the event with the Official Unveiling of the “I STAND FOR A UNITED NIGERIA” Project. The unveiling was coordinated by the former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba who was also the Chairman of the Occasion. In his closing remarks, He admonished the crowd to pledge their allegiance to continue to live and work as a United Nigeria irrespective of ethnicity. Notable personalities that assisted in making the Unveiling session successful includes the National Chairman of National Conscience Party NCP, Dr. Tanko Yunusu and representatives of Senator Shehu Sani and other dignitaries like Alhaja Afusat Amosa Yusuf, Mrs Funke Kehinde, Ozzybee the wonderkid and the Chairman of Iru Local Council, Hon Princess Adu Abiodun.
The organizers also made good on the promise of a National Discourse. Dr. Tanko Yunusu gave the Keynote Speech on “Patriotism, Catalyst for National Development”.
He said “Nigeria is evidently and unarguably a land of great potential. This view stems from her enormous natural resources, talents, diversity of culture, population strength and citizens resourcefulness, Great nations in history enjoy only one thing in common; deliberate effort of citizens to build a secured and prosperous fatherland”.
His speech was obviously motivated by the streaks of chaos that has been hitting the country. Evidently Nigeria is going through bleak times and while the country is struggling to come out of a crippling recession, the citizens are being bombarded by powerful figures which bode us no good. Vices are on the rise, violent crime and political intolerance seem to be darkening the horizon, the picture is not flattering. Challenges facing us are monumental and they can only be overcome by patriotic zeal. In fact, at no other period in Nigeria’s history has the need for unity and common sense of purpose being more imperative than the current times.
In the Chairman Speech, former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, urged ‘old politicians’ to give the younger ones chance as the 2019 election approaches.
Osoba sided with the younger generation while citing that they are in the best position to interpret the digital age and compete favourably with the rest of the world.He said: “The younger people should not just sit back. The older ones in politics should give them room. It is the younger ones who can accurately interpret the 21st century which is digital.”
According to him, in the banking world, Nigeria is considered to be the most efficient and organised in the world, adding: “I don’t see why they can’t make it good in government.”
Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker, The Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and National Chairman of NCP, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, who delivered the keynote address also pushed for collective responsibility adding that no country could advance without the active involvement of the youths. “Nigeria needs a rebirth and it has to come with a paradigm shift from the old to a new set of people. They speak the language that the advanced nations understand. In the era of the 21st century, we need new leaders who can propel the country to greater heights, irrespective of where they are from,” he said.
Some of the Awardees for the evening were, Senator Shehu Sani, Gov Okowa Ifeanyi of Delta state, Chief Osoba, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, Hon Princess Adu Rasheedat Abiodun, Ghanaian celebrity TV host, Dzifa Gray, TVC Senior Presenter, Ayodele Ozugbakun, Mrs Buchi Madiebo Solomon, Ogun state Speaker, Rt. Hon Suraj Adekunbi, Hon Godsown Obieze, Alhaja Afusat A. Yusuf, Awesco 9Ja Fashion World, others are, Mr. Victor Etuk Inyang, Mr. Fola Akinnola, former Chief of Staff of Cross River state, Chief Alex Egbonna, Mr. Kola Silva-Ope, Mr Sam Olugola, MD of NIRSAL, Mr Aliyu A. Abdulhameed, CEO of Cellulant, Mr Akinboro Bolaji and Ogechi Ezeadi
