Dignitaries celebrate APC chair Akande at 75

It was a glorious day for the Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande as party chieftains across the country converged on Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday to celebrate his 75th birthday.

The ceremony, presided over by APC leader and former military Head of State Gen Muhammadu Buhari, was attended by governors, deputy governors, members of States and National Assembly, commissioners and traditional rulers.

Decked in an immaculate white dress with a cap to match–his wife, Omowunmi, sitting by his side–Akande was beaming and waiving to acknowledge cheers from the guests.

Gen. Buhari described Akande as a man of unquestionable integrity “which is very rare in Nigerian politics”. According to him the rare qualities of the celebrant became noticeable when he was governor of Osun State between 1999 and 2003. He said most of the projects Akande executed were better and cost effective compared to other states’.

He said the leadership qualities in Akande are those that Nigerian leaders require, particularly judicious use of national resources for overall development of the country.

In his welcome address, Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) described the APC Chairman as very courageous, resourceful, responsible and hardworking.

In the address, which was presented by his deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the governor said “we have come to celebrate this astute politician who was blessed by God with everything.”

Fashola recalled that when Akande was governor of Osun State he proved his worth by leaving behind a good record and land mark achievements.

“He is a man of worthy emulation, one we should all aspire to be like because in the years that Ihave Known him, I can honestly say that Chief Akande is a man of integrity.

“We need more people to show the kind of dedication and selflessness that Chief Akande displays, so that this country can achieve its potential”, he added.

Two intellectuals, Prof Akin Oyebode of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos and Prof Olu Obafemi of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) presented papers on “Developing a new Leadership: An Imperative for National Development”.

Oyebode said the situation in the country is caused by under-development. He said at nearly every facet, our society is enduring under-achievement arising from poor leadership. “Whether we are talking of infant mortality or maternal morbidity, Nigeria has one of the highest rates in the entire world.”

He said: “The major issue in Nigeria today is how to extricate the country from the labyrinths of under development and only those who are endowed with the requisite insight can read the situation correctly and be able to galvanise the social forces towards ameliorating the niggardly circumstances of the vast majority of the people.

“We are already over 50 years late but it is better late than never. It is now time to have our own true leaders who can join the ranks of George Washington, V.i. Lenin , Fidel Castro, Mandela and Awolowo instead of continuing with pretenders lacking in knowledge and true appreciation of what the problems are and what is to be done in order to resolve them,” Oyebode said.

Obafemi gave an insight into the type of leadership Nigeria requires when he said the nation needs a new leadership not a sectional leaser.

Nigeria, according to him, requires a leader who can identify our national challenges and be able to tackle them.

He said the leader must be courageous, capable of charting a new course, rise above uncertainties and take decisive steps in confronting challenges.

Dignitaries at the occasion are former House of Representatives Speaker Alhaji Bello Masari, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, his Ekiti State counterpart Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Governors Rocha Okorocha (Imo), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Tanko Al-Makura (Nassarawa), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and representatives of Sokoto and Niger governors Hon Lawal Zayana and Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi.

They also include Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Deputy Governor of Osun Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori and Mrs Orelope-Adefulire of Lagos.

Others are former Edo State Governor Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Chris Ngige, Interim National Publicity Secretary, APC Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Mallam Nazir El-Rufai, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, Chief Michael Koleoso, Senator Annie Okonkwo, Justice Oyebola Ojo, Gen Alani Akinrinade, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, Dr Muiz Banire, Prof Wale Omole, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Senator Biyi Durojaiye, Dr Adewale Omirin, Mrs Iyabo Anisulowo, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Chief Akin Oke, Mrs Ganiat Fawehinmi and her son, Mohammed.

Traditional rulers include Oba Rauf Olayiwola (Ikirun), Oba Abioye Oyebode (Okuku), Oba Oltoyan (Ire), Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, Oba Samuel Idowu and Oba Hafiz Badeji’. The Alaafin of Oyo was represented by Chief Akinade Ayoola.

Akande said he was overwhelmed by the large turn- out and asked the gathering to continue to pray for him to lead the party successfully.