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2023: Bola Ahmed Tinubu, For The Nigeria Of Our Dreams In Our Time – Teju Ajayi

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For many politicians, leadership is a choice. It is something they choose to do simply because the circumstances are right or the stars have aligned to put them in the path of leadership.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu can in no way be lumped into that category with the many politicians that vie for office today. This is because based on his history, struggles, trajectory, and spirit of persevering service, it has become obvious that he was born to be a leader.

The Nigeria that we have today, whether many will admit it or not, was a Nigeria that many people had fought for. The Nigeria we live in today was won by sweat, blood, and patriotic spirits. Whatever her failings, Nigeria is still our country and the one place we call home.

Any historian worth his or her salt cannot in good faith write the history of Nigeria, especially the southwest, without a mention or two of the man we all know today as Asiwaju.

It bears recalling that Asiwaju returned the eyes of the world to Lagos State as the true pinnacle of Nigerian excellence. As a two-term governor from 1999 to 2007, he probably had the most difficult tenure, piloting the affairs of a special state like Lagos, fresh from the throes of military rule.

During his eight years in office, he made large investments in health, transportation, tourism, and education as the number of out-of-school children reduced tremendously.

The avalanche of roads he built, repaired and remodeled as the case may be helped in no small measure to open up Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial nerve center. Under his watchful eyes, new businesses sprang up and thrived in the newly conducive environment of Lagos.

He won the trust of the people so much that only candidates recommended by him were marketable in the state and the country at large.

His financial dexterity and gift of developing human capital are unparalleled. As of 1999 when he was elected into office, Lagos State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was N600million, but within the first four years, he raised it to N20billion monthly without inflicting additional hardship or a tax burden on the people. That was the bedrock of successive administrations’ achievements.

Beyond his ingenious handling of the affairs of Lagos State in those eight years, Asiwaju has also demonstrated an exceptional ability to spot talents and surround himself with an irrepressible army of intellects who are poised to bring new hope to Nigeria.

These intellectuals from different walks of life have impacted the southwest and Nigeria as a whole. Of a truth, these are the markings of a man of sound mind, one with a discerning spirit, a well-maintained and medically-fit body, an ability to unite the country through selfless decision-making, and provision of right leadership at all levels.

Based on his leading and leanings, Lagos, and the greater part of the southwest, has grown in leaps and bounds to become a metropolitan city that other states like Kano appoint commissioners and special advisers to study and emulate.

On a grander scale, if that method were applied to the greater Nigeria will that not take the country light years away from her current position?
Several detractors have complained that age-wise, Asiwaju Tinubu is not a fit leader. But a look at countries piloted by the older generation is a testimony of the stability and strength of mind that only age can bring.

The United States of America is no baby in the comity of nations, and their incumbent president, Joe Biden is 79 years old. Interestingly, he has declared to run for a second term, meaning that he would be well above 80 by the time he runs for office again. Former President Donald Trump, at 75, is equally older than Asiwaju. For the former and incumbent American presidents, their ages had no impact on their abilities to lead their country.

The wisdom of youths they say are like bright lights that flash across the sky like meteors; they eventually fizzle out. But the wisdom of age is like the fixed stars that shine so unchanged that it is available and dependable for all who need them. I believe that if we are to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams in our time, Asiwaju should be given a chance to replicate the tested and result-oriented strategies he had deployed for the growth of the southwest.

There is an old Biblical saying that the labor of a foolish man wearies all those around him because he does not know how to get to the city. Asiwaju knows the way to the city, knows the layouts, and even built the city, should he not then be given a chance to lead his people to that promised land?

The Nigeria of our dreams is not as far away as we think, but if it is to be achieved in our lifetime, it begins with Asiwaju, a trusted and tested leader and kingmaker who lives for the people.

With the recent confirmation of his intention to run for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023, Nigeria is on the precipice of taking a leap into the future of our dreams; that is if we choose right and follow a man who knows just what he is doing.

As a member of the ruling party, APC, which is focused on the collective growth of Nigeria, this is my call on the first declaration.

Teju Ajayi is a Lagos-based Practicing Architect.

BIG STORY

UPDATE: Bobrisky Finally Departs Nigeria After Two Failed Attempts

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Bobrisky, a social media celebrity crossdresser, has finally travelled out of Nigeria after two failed attempts.

Last Thursday, the crossdresser was re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials while attempting to leave Nigeria. A video shared on Instagram showed airport officials dragging him off the plane.

The commission also confirmed his rearrest. Last Friday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said that Bobrisky was taken into custody to assist in investigating bribery allegations against the agency.

“It is just for him to come and establish the basis and write a statement to that effect and he will be released,” Oyewale had said.

On Monday, the social media celebrity took to his Instagram stories to share videos of herself on a plane.

Though he did not disclose his destination, he boasted about “purchasing first-class tickets three times, totaling over N30 million”.

“See you soon, Nigeria. This girl bought a first-class ticket three times; that’s over 30 million. Raise the bar for this girl,” he wrote.

The crossdresser has been in the eye of the storm since activist VeryDarkMan shared a purported audio conversation wherein she claimed that she paid some EFCC officials N15 million to drop money laundering charges against her.

Bobrisky denied the recording’s authenticity and threatened legal action against VeryDarkMan.

The social media celebrity was also arrested at the Seme border a few weeks ago for allegedly attempting to flee the country.

The crossdresser, the EFCC, and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) are under investigation by a house of representatives committee over bribery allegations.

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) also recently condemned the lifestyle of Bobrisky.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones Dies At 91

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Quincy Jones, a renowned music producer and composer, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, in California. He was 91 years old.

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the news without disclosing the cause of death.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the Jones family said in the statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.” he said in a statement.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: VeryDarkMan Granted N2million Bail

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A magistrate court sitting in Abuja has granted the embattled social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan N2million bail.

VeryDarkMan was arraigned on Friday at Court 1, Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, in the Federal Capital Territory for allegedly impersonating a policeman.

The blogger was granted N2 million bail in the ruling of the court in charge no. CR/510/2024: Commissioner of Police v. Vincent Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan.

Also, the bail conditions include the provision of two sureties in like terms and sureties are to deposit their passports with the court. The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, particularly Abuja municipal.

⁠Sureties are also to provide means of identification and depose to affidavit to provide the defendant during trial at all times.

The court also ruled that the prosecutor should verify the sureties’ addresses while the sureties will also provide their utility bills.

The court also ruled that VeryDarkMan will depose to an affidavit that he will be available at all times during trial.

Recall that VeryDarkMan had earlier apologized to the Nigeria Police Force for wearing the police uniform.

“In response to recent developments, VDM, whose real name is Martins Otse, is set to appear in court today following allegations of impersonation related to the unauthorized use of Nigeria Police Force uniforms in a viral social media video,” the law enforcement agency wrote on X.

“The FCT Police Command is actively handling the case, underscoring the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse. Interested persons are encouraged to follow up on the proceedings as the case unfolds.”

The police had condemned his unauthorized use of the uniform and initiated an investigation.

In the controversial video, VeryDarkMan was seen wearing a police uniform and introduced himself as a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, of the Online Division.

Amid the backlash, the social media critic released a video on Thursday apologizing for using attire resembling the official police uniform.

He also advised Nigerians to seek proper authorization before wearing police attire to avoid misunderstandings or legal repercussions.

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