dcc7a8b0 099a 11ee 8432 575d324be50f7E28512330753270932327 A member of the Governance Advisory Council in the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) and first Secretary to the State Government in the late Lateef Jakande administration, Chief Reuben Olorunfunmi Basorun, speaks with journalists on the Bola Tinubu presidency and what Nigerians should expect from him. Politicians are fond of making promises, and President Bola Tinubu made him during the campaigns, what should Nigerians expect from him? Tinubu listed a 10-point agenda that he sought to achieve in his administration. He called them ‘Action Plan’. The agenda includes creating sufficient jobs with decent wages; reviving manufacturing industries and placing Nigeria back on the path of industrialisation; generating, transmitting and distributing sufficient, affordable electricity; manufacturing and marketing increased quantities of essential goods and services; exporting more to earn foreign exchange and strengthening the naira; to make affordable healthcare, education and housing accessible to all; to train and give economic opportunities to persons with disabilities; among other laudable things. Many people still doubt his ability to deliver, are you confident he will deliver on his promises? Tinubu has fulfilled a phenomenon Nigeria was yearning for many years back. When Chief (Obafemi) Awolowo was in the scene, he insisted that anyone who wanted to lead this country must possess some qualities. Tinubu seems to have resurrected Awolowo. The qualities Awolowo spoke of are courage, commitment and objectives. Awolowo added that every political leader must possess the mental magnitude to lead. By mental magnitude, he meant that such a leader must possess at least a first degree in a discipline. Then, in addition, some knowledge of economics, if that degree is not in economics, finance, sociology, psychology, law, political history, etc. He then went ahead and put succinctly: ‘Good leadership involves self-conquest; you must conquer yourself first – Tinubu conquered himself. That is the situation Tinubu has found himself in. You seem very convinced. Here is why I know that Tinubu will succeed. In 1983, 12 out of the 19 progressive governors held meetings several times in Lagos at the Lagos House in Marina. At the eighth meeting, among those present were Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano, etc. and they resolved in February 1983 that Nigeria must go progressive, but they could not achieve this. When the elections came, the same thing we saw in the last elections happened: religion, ethnicity, etc. Everybody failed. But see Tinubu, he came in 2013 and said the progressives must come together and everybody came together as if they were obeying the words of Chief Awolowo. Tinubu brought the progressives and conservatives together and he succeeded by putting former President Muhammadu Buhari in government for the first term of four years as the President of Nigeria. As Buhari won a second term, the second part of Awolowo’s prediction came to pass: the conservatives fell out, and the progressives remained. Who else should benefit from this arrangement but Tinubu? Then, the mental magnitude that Chief Awolowo recommended, this fellow (Tinubu) has a first degree in Accounting. He later became a senator in 1992; I was with him. We were calling him ‘Serubawon.’ Then he became governor in 1999. As many people have different opinions about his achievements as governor, I have one: he did what the Israeli people did to the ocean that transverses their area to the Atlantic Ocean. He got the Atlantic pushed to the point that he made its shores a city, which is a reality that people are commending today. I think Tinubu will do better as the leader of Nigeria. What do you think should be the priorities? Among his 10-point programme, the economy and security are the most important. Once the issue of insecurity is dealt with and the economy, which has several branches, is taken care of, every other thing will fall into place. If, for example, Tinubu makes an announcement, ‘Fellow Nigerians, having been sworn in, I now declare that the minimum wage, which is N30,000 per month, is now N60,000; that is a 100 per cent jump. I want to assure you that we shall find the money to pay, and I want to assure the state governments that I will make the funds available to pay.’ 30 per cent of the increase will go to the peasants, and they will not throw it into the Lagoon. It is going to increase the wealth of the nation. As for security, that’s not a matter for the public. I’m sure he’s well-briefed and he will take the steps that maybe the immediate past President was fearful of taking. I said for anyone to face the problems of this nation, he must have courage, he must commit, and he must have objectives. Tinubu has all three. Then, the type of election he won has shown that he is ready to carry the problems of this country. (General Ibrahim) Babangida was commenting, he said Atiku (Abubakar) won ethnicity, Peter Obi won religion, but Tinubu won Nigerians. Nigerians voted for him all over. Even in this (Lagos) state where we so much love him, he was defeated, but he went ahead to win all over Nigeria. They said two-thirds of states, he got in 29 states, much more than two-thirds. What other spread or request have Nigerians not answered? They have answered his call to come and rule them. Our prayer now is that God should preserve his life and give him the courage and commitment to implement the objectives he has for the country. Tinubu will succeed, there is no doubt about it. What role will the Governance Advisory Council play in the national government? Some members of the public have a wrong conception of the GAC. The GAC stands like the elders’ committee of the APC in Lagos State. It’s Lagos. They may want to transform it, but if he has to transform it into a national, it has to go through the geo-political zones, but for now, it’s like an elders’ committee, giving him advice at the appropriate time. And it is still there.
So, from my end, I cannot say if there will be a role for the GAC at the national level.
APC and Tinubu’s campaign mantra was ‘Renewed Hope’, if you agree that there is a need to renew people’s hope, is it an admittance that the APC indeed dashed the hopes of Nigerians with the eight-year term of Buhari and that Tinubu is coming to renew the hope?
Well, some people use that slogan, but no hope was lost that we are renewing. There is no hope lost. People complained about hardship during Buhari’s tenure and it seems the hardship has even worsened, do you think Tinubu will be able to ease the pain of Nigerians? Looking at his programme, I believe he will, particularly with the background he has. When you are in charge of your government, you must have your ideas. The man (Buhari) that left now depended on the civil servants; Asiwaju is not going to depend on the civil servants. As one of my leaders told me, if you want to move from Gate A to B, you don’t tell civil servants to tell you how to get to Gate B. ‘Mr. civil servant, I want to Gate B. I want to go by bicycle, go and arrange, I want to be there by 12noon.’ I believe Asiwaju has that quality; he will do that. That’s what we need. Chief Awolowo also said a minimum of 50 per cent idea of what you do should be yours. Buhari was in government for eight years, what he was able to do was a function of his wherewithal, a retired soldier, etc. There is a difference between Buhari and Tinubu. Not only is Tinubu qualified in terms of education, but Tinubu has also been a fighter and a courageous man. I do not believe he will fail us. During the electioneering, there was a high level of ethnic and religious division among Nigerians, how does your party plan to reunite Nigeria? He should choose his cabinet by recognising the diversity of the country. The constitution says to pick at least one minister per state and the Federal Capital Territory. In doing so, I believe the President, who is very conversant with the situation in Nigeria, will do the needful in that area. After doing that, he would have taken care of the issue of division. Even in the National Assembly now, he is already doing that, making sure that after himself and Shettima, the next person should come from Akwa Ibom State. After taking (Tajudeen) Abbas from Kaduna State, he went to another state to take (Benjamin) Kalu. So, he is going to ensure inclusion in picking his cabinet members. Will the GAC play any role in the composition of Tinubu’s cabinet? To the best of my knowledge, the Governance Advisory Council for Lagos APC and the GAC will play a role in Lagos unless it changes tomorrow. So, if he wants a nominee from Lagos and the GAC decides that XYZ should be, be it. What are some of the things Tinubu did in Lagos that you believe he will replicate as the President? There are many. Let me start with the one he started and was stopped. He started private electricity, he was disturbed. He’s going to raise it. He wanted states to create local governments; he created them, but the National Assembly stopped it. I believe he should go back to it. Why restrict the number of local governments? If you ask me, Tinubu will display financial wizardry. When Obasanjo refused to release allocations due to Lagos State for almost four years, the man was managing the state and all the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas until Musa Yar’Adua came and within two months, he lifted the ban. I don’t know whether arrears were paid, but he lifted the ban, and ever since the local governments have been collecting their allocations. Recently, some emissaries of Tinubu visited someone considered to be his strong critic, Chief Bode George, for reconciliation. Were you surprised at this move? I wasn’t surprised, Tinubu has won the election, and he has now been sworn in as the President. The man (Bode George) has not fled the country. Why shouldn’t we talk to him and tell him to play down? So, it was a good move. I wasn’t surprised. So, let them go ahead to plead with him. I agree with him (George), and that is how to be a good party man. That his party is still in the tribunal, he will not begin to congratulate Bola Tinubu, I don’t think that is too much. If I were in his shoes, I would probably have done the same thing. But that he received them, discussed with them, and he has not fled the country, well, we thank God. The GAC must have been jolted when the Labour Party defeated Tinubu in Lagos. How did you receive that? Well, we were surprised, but thank God we woke up immediately and embarked on making the situation better, and that was reflected in the following (governorship and House of Assembly) elections. In the first election, it was 582,000 against 572,000. Labour had 582,000 votes and APC had 572,000 votes. Just about a 9,000 votes difference. They won, but in the second election, the governor got 762,000 against LP’s 312,000. So, we worked very hard within that short period. That picture also painted a misnomer to an extent, and I want to appeal to our people who don’t come out to vote. How can we register about seven million plus eligible voters and we do not get two million votes, altogether; all the parties? Are you worried that the opposition is coming closer to taking over Lagos from your party? It’s not close, 762,000 to 312,000 is very wide. The first round was just 9,000. There were a lot of factors against us. But we changed it to 762,000 against 312,000. What would you advise Nigerians to do if the Tinubu government fails to deliver on its campaign promises? If he fails? God forbid, he will not fail. Rather, what Tinubu should do is do what Chief Awolowo did in 1955, and what Jakande did in 1979. Tinubu should announce a programme that will get everybody agog. Ah, our messiah has come! Ah, the man to save us has come!! In 1955, Awolowo announced free and compulsory education. Secondly, he doubled the minimum wage. When Jakande won the election in 1979, he went from the inauguration venue to the air and announced that ‘education shall now be free at all levels. Health shall be free at all levels. I’m not saying Tinubu should say so, but he should look for something that when he throws it on the ground, the country will go agog. And once he does that, you know, the multiplier effect of that is that people will support his government. Once he has done something, which is in the interest of the masses, they will believe in him. What would be your advice to Nigerians? Nigerians should support the new government. Give the new government time to perform, not doubting whether he can perform or not. Let them give Tinubu a chance. Let us watch before we begin to complain because we are human beings. Many people lamented that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria worked to make your party lose, but he’s a member of your party and the generality of Nigerians suffered the hardship. What are your thoughts on that season? The CBN governor brought hardship to this country. I worked and retired from the CBN and I know the system. How would he change money and ask us to go and deposit our money? The two must be going side by side for a particular time. In the United Kingdom today, they have changed their money to King Charles. The Queen’s money is going to be there for a long time. Why is our own different? If Emefiele had no hidden objectives, and people were saying he had a mission to accomplish, he would have done the right thing. Unfortunately, some people we did not expect to commend him were commending him, saying that the currency design would prevent vote-buying. Who told you? It did not. People began to transfer money (laughs) to buy votes. If that was what it was to prevent, then he was not doing his job properly. The way I put it, he was inimical to the progress of Nigerians the way he did it. What was your experience of such when you were in the CBN? I took part in several currency changes. The first currency change from the British West African currency board to the British Pound took place on July 1, 1959. I was there in the central bank; I was a cashier. In 1973, when the naira came in to replace the pound, I was in Maiduguri, I was there. I was the currency officer on 1976, July 2. I still have photographs. Nobody knew we were changing money. But somebody just came and decided to ruin the economy. He ruined so many businesses. Up till now, people go from my church to withdraw money, they say they can only withdraw N100,000. So, we have to split the cheque and if one is not careful, you will let people who are corruptible in their minds begin to practise corruption. In big organisations, a lot of corruption will take place. So, the man should go. If I were him, I would resign. He has failed this country as a governor of the central bank. He has disappointed everybody. But those who fight against the masses always pay for it. One (CBN) governor did it, he got blind. If you want me to give you his name, I can give you his name. You don’t fight the masses. He may have made a lot of money from all that he has been doing or satisfied some people, but he will see the end.

11 min read

FUNMI BASORUN: TINUBU WON’T FAIL, NIGERIANS SHOULD SUPPORT HIM ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

3 months ago INN

A member of the Governance Advisory Council in the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) and first Secretary to the...

85a585c0 0a21 11ee 8062 47aceec67ef47E26621502223246539705 Agba Akin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho has lengthened his congratulatory message to Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru and Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson MHR on their inauguration into the National Assembly as returning Legislators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Otunba Elesho, the former Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Sports, completely extolled both Senator Abiru, who's representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, and Rep. Benson, representing Ikorodu federal constituency, dubbing them as pace setters and trailblazers.
In a message to Ikorodu News Network (INN), on the 13th of June 2023, Otunba Elesho writes; HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS! "I am very happy and feel highly elated to through this medium congratulate you our Supersonic Federal Legislators, Senator Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru and Rep Babajimi Adegoke Benson on the occasion of your inauguration into the National Assembly as returning Legislators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria".
"Your record-breaking achievements at both the Senate and House of Representatives respectively were quite obvious for people to see particularly the good people of Ikorodu Division, which in turn culminated into the massive votes you both recorded during the last National Assembly Elections".
"I have no doubt whatsoever in my mind that, you our amiable Legislators are going in there for another landmark achievement".
"I, therefore, pray for successful tenure of office for both of you and shall be blessed with abundant Blessings from the throne of heaven and excellent Health always" Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho asserted.

1 min read

Recognition

OTUNBA AYODELE ELESHO CONGRATULATES SENATOR ABIRU, REP. BENSON ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INAUGURATION ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

4 months ago INN

Agba Akin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho has lengthened his congratulatory message to Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru and...

storage emulated 0 pictures comica cartoon16850362192062674458711682701520 With a mission to restore good governance, accountability and dignity in Lagos state politics, Hon. Balogun Rotimi, known popularly as BRO is indeed a man with a goal. If there’s anyone who merits to be given a vast opportunity to serve the good people of ikorodu and Lagos state in terms of having good vision and excellent mission to be accomplished, someone who can deliver with his heart of gold, someone who feels other peoples pain and has not allowed his stance to blindfold his promising judgment in the way of reasoning on how to impact positively in people’s lives at every point in time most especially the less favoured is no other person but the amiable and indefatigable Dr Balogun Rotimi Olatunbosun . The accomplished Estate Development and Manager is the man. Hon Balogun Rotimi Olatunbosun whose aspiration in Politics is for the Restoration of Good – Governance, Accountability and Dignity in the area of governance in Lagos State gaze to become one of the honourable Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, through the unflinching will of the good people of Ikorodu, because they deserve better, a pledge he wishes to keep with the people of Ikorodu Constituency 1. Albeit, the mission mandate is more compelling because of the ‘bounty lies’, mismanagement, shoddiness, extravagant and cabals in the polity that have characterized governance in the state these past years. THE TAKE-OFF: FOR BALOGUN As for the PDP, the Light of Freedom and the Restoration of the lost Glory of IKORODU CONSTITUENCY 1, is a solemn task that must and will be achieved. HIS BACKGROUND Balogun presses for Godly strength, his astute family and educational background, Philanthropic Activities, Quality Leadership and Advocacy for good governance. His career and Professional life as a builder and estate developer, and his deep grassroots political involvement over the years have taught him how to build constructively also in human life and now, he is embarking on this mission to salvage people. He is indeed A man of the people, groomed, well-known, and nurtured Lagosian, the illustrious son of an illustrious parentage, whose record of service to the nation, community and state remains a beacon to him to impel his own public life BRO is privileged to receive the best education the state and country can offer. Throughout his days in the Military Schools – Lagos and Jos, BRO was a leading light who blazed the trail for others to follow at Command Secondary School. He made friends easily and endeared himself to teachers and fellow students as a role model, a fine sports- enthusiast, a public analyst, and an engaging personality, who combined military discipline, and scholastic with Sterling Leadership qualities, Statewide Community Achievements. In seeking to become the Ikorodu Constituency 1, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, BRO – will bring with him a sound and impeccable, robust, rich and diverse vein of experience which is more required and relevant, deeper and much more substantive in the Constituency, according to him. ALOGUN: As A Private/Public Servant Rising through thick and thin as one the high demand entrepreneur in the Built environment has exposed him to the Developmental problems of Ikorodu, about which he has spent several years on reflective thinking and for which he has designed solutions to implement on becoming a LAHA Member.
He understands the first hand-pressing Developmental needs of the people of Ikorodu and he knows where they have placed their priorities, to be counted.

3 min read

DR BALOGUN ROTIMI OLATUNBOSUN (BRO), AN ACCOMPLISHED REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, A MAN OF GOOD VISION AND EXCELLENT MISSION ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

4 months ago INN

With a mission to restore good governance, accountability and dignity in Lagos state politics, Hon. Balogun Rotimi, known popularly as...

fb img 16826702367027162383552318111190 President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, met with the All Progressives Congress governors who paid him a courtesy visit and urged them to work with the party leadership and lawmakers on the election of principal officers of the National Assembly.
"We thank God Almighty for our electoral victory. It was tough and turbulent. "The challenge before us is working in unison with the party leadership and the National Assembly over the election of their principal officers. And I charge you to unite in spirit and faith and work in line with the party," he said.
The President-elect told the governors and former governorship candidates of the party that "whether you return or not, this is our government.
"Once we know what we are doing and communicating as elected leaders and loyal party men, we will conquer the challenge."
He reiterated his earlier admonitions that, as leaders, they were elected to serve the people and humanity with fairness and justice.
Sounding emotional, he expressed gratitude to God that he, "the first Muslim minority from the South-West got the blessing of Allah to be elected president."
Dismissing speculations about his health, the President-elect said "All speculation has perished and their purveyors brought to shame."
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors who is also the governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, led his colleagues to Tinubu's residence. Among those in attendance were Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima and Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Hope Uzodinnma (Imo), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Babajide Sanwo-olu (Lagos), Ben Ayade (CrossRivers), Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (Kwara), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).
There were also the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe and the APC governorship candidate in Kano State, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
Governor Bagudu said the visit was to congratulate Asiwaju Tinubu on the election, extend goodwill to him over the end of the Ramadan Fast and welcome him back from his recent travel and celebrate with him. He also said, however, that the governors were ready for any assignment the President-elect may give them.
On the task concerning the election of presiding officers of the National Assembly, he pledged that the governor would continue to discuss and work with the party and the lawmakers to arrive at the best decision in the interest of the country.

2 min read

Surgery

5 months ago INN

President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, met with the All Progressives Congress governors who paid him a courtesy...

3939j3n4nn4nn7E28148665161303284920. The National Chairman of the Association Of Local Government Vice-Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGOVC), and Executive Vice-Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Aarebirin honourable (Dr) Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba has joined many well-wishers in felicitating with the Lagos East Senator, Adetokunbo Mukahil Abiru, on his 59th birthday.
Princess Folashade-Oba, Global Director General of the Asiwaju Distinguished Ambassadors Movement (ADAM), in her short message to Ikorodu News Network (INN) on the 25th of March 2023, extolled the Federal Lawmaker, dubbing him a one-of-a-kind and incredible personality.
According to Folashade-Oba, Senator Abiru has achieved a lot and modified the lives of many even in his short entry into the political expanse, representing the Lagos East Senatorial district.
She continued, "His outstanding performance gave him the vast votes from his total constituents, which reelected him back to the green chamber on the 25th of February 2023".
"It is with profound joy and happiness that I wish our dearly beloved distinguished Senator Adetokunbo Mukahil Abiru a happy 59th birthday".
"Today, I celebrate a quintessential leader, whose brilliance and top-notch connoisseur have transformed the lives of uncountable individuals across the Lagos East".
"Sorrows have been converted to hope because of Abiru Bam Bam, and just like his slogan, he has never stopped Doing-Good and putting smiles on the faces of his whole constituents". "I call him the best Senator in the broad Federal Republic of Nigeria because he's a man that knows his onion, setting the pace for many others to pursue".
"On this day, as you mark your 59th birthday, I want to wish you a wonderful and prosperous birthday celebration Sir!, and I pray that God in his infinite wisdom will continue to strengthen and bestow you with more landmark feats" Folashade-Oba asserted.

2 min read

6 months ago INN

The National Chairman of the Association Of Local Government Vice-Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGOVC), and Executive Vice-Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government,...

FUNMI BASORUN: TINUBU WON’T FAIL, NIGERIANS SHOULD SUPPORT HIM ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

OTUNBA AYODELE ELESHO CONGRATULATES SENATOR ABIRU, REP. BENSON ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INAUGURATION ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

DR BALOGUN ROTIMI OLATUNBOSUN (BRO), AN ACCOMPLISHED REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER, A MAN OF GOOD VISION AND EXCELLENT MISSION ®™√ INN Nigeria ©

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