*Mr President
appreciates him for helping to unseat PDP
It was a day
of encomiums and serious talks on Tuesday in Lagos. Statesmen, eminent
politicians, top government officials, military chiefs, captains of industry,
traditional rulers joined APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his 65th
birthday in Lagos.
At the
ceremony, witnessed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, his wife, 12 governors,
President Muhammadu Buhari extolled Tinubu’s virtues, describing him as an
“outstanding” politician and “a man of foresight”, who helped to unseat the Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan administration.
To President
Buhari, Tinubu is “a great mobiliser, a man of action and an effective
formulator of sound policies”. He recalled that Tinubu dedicated himself to the
transformation of Lagos.
President
Buhari said:
“Chief Bola
Tinubu is an outstanding Yoruba politician of his generation.”
The Eko Hotel
Hall, the venue of the Ninth Bola Tinubu Colloquium, was filled to the brim.
Its theme was: “Make it in Nigeria: Use what we make; make what we use”.
As from 7.30
am, the venue was aglow with festivities. Itinerant Yoruba drummers and singers
welcomed guests with talking drums and cultural songs. Political differences
temporarily disappeared as APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains
converged to honour the celebrator.
Speakers at
the colloquium included the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
who spoke on efforts by the Air force to produce aircraft softwares locally,
instead of relying on imports at exorbitant cost, Minister of Industry, Trade
and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah shed light on the Federal Government’s
effort to provide an enabling environment for investors. His Finance counterpart,
Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, announced plans by the government to embark on an aggressive
tax drive targeted at rich Nigerians and business organisations fond of tax
evasion.
There was a
documentary on the Tinubu political ascendancy. Another was on the growth of
indigenous entrepreneurship and testimonies of successful business development
by promising entrepreneurs. They included the Leader of SOCART Team, Federal
University of Technology, Minna, Mr. Abraham Issac, the Chairman of IVM Innoson
Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Executive Officer of CDS, Chinwe
Ohajuruka, Tempo Housing managing Partner David Aderounmu, Founder of Wilson’s
Juice Company Limited Seun Abolaji, Chief Executive Officer of Bathkandy Mrs.
Blondie Okpuzor, Co-founder of AACE Foods Ndidi Nwuneli, Chief Executive
Officer of Chocolate City Jude Abaga and Chief Executive Officer of Biola Alabi
Media Mrs Biola Alabi.
Tinubu
strolled into the venue around 10.30am. Hale and hearty, he was accompanied by
his wife, Senator Oluremi, the host governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos
State, his wife, Bolanle, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule and former
Deputy Governor, Chief Olufemi Pedro.
Noting the
contributions of Tinubu towards the transformation of Lagos, President Buhari,
who was represented by Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzu, said his
associates, including Osinbajo and Ambode, had worked for the state’s economic
and social regeneration.
The President
also pointed out that Lagos has now become one of the cleanest states in the
country, owing to the renewal programmes of the state government.
He saluted
Tinubu’s intellectual capacity, hard work, attention to details and ability to
picking the right person for the right job.
On his part,
Tinubu advised the Federal Government to bring back the giant manufacturing
firms that had left the country through novel incentives and creation of a
conducive climate.
He said young
entrepreneurs should be nurtured, encouraged and assisted to succeed in a bid
to harvest their talents for national productivity.
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