President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, paid glowing tributes to elder statesman and the first national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, as he marks his 86th birthday.
President Tinubu described Akande as a seasoned administrator, “a truly progressive and committed Awoist who has made tremendous contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, nation-building and development”.
He conveyed his congratulations in a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled, ‘President Tinubu hails Elder Statesman & First APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande’.
The President said selfless service had been Baba Akande’s watchword since he entered politics.
Akande was Secretary to the Government of Old Oyo State and later Deputy Governor.
He then served as Governor of Osun State from 1999 to 2003, Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and now Chairman of the Governing Board of Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan.
Underscoring Akande’s considerable contributions to the APC, the President commended him for his pioneering efforts, pivotal to the party’s victory in the 2015 and subsequent elections.
“The President noted that Chief Akande has been a close ally and partner in establishing progressive good governance in the country.
“He particularly recalled their days in the pro-democracy group NADECO during the struggle to restore democracy in the land, praising Chief Akande for his leadership, direction, integrity and wisdom”, the statement read.
President Tinubu said Baba Akande’s 86th birthday today offered him a veritable opportunity to thank him again for his support and wise counsel in his political journey and rise to the presidency of Nigeria.
He wished the elder statesman more grace and strength as he made invaluable contributions to the country and impacted the younger generation.
Meanwhile Akande, on Thursday, urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu, asserting that in a few years’ time, the results of various initiatives of the President’s administration would yield results and benefit Nigerians.
Akande spoke at the event held in Ila Orangun, Osun State to mark his 86th birthday, attended by dignitaries that include the founding Registrar, National Businesses and Technical Education Board, Prof. Olu Aina; Chairman, MicCom Gof and Resort, Prince Tunde Ponle; ex-Osun Deputy Governor, Titi Laoye-Ponle; former deputy governor, Benedict Alabi; and the Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr Bola Oyebamiji.
The ex-Osun State Governor said he harboured no regrets about the formation of APC, expressing fulfilment about the party’s achievements so far.
He said, “Today, I am happy that our great party is working tirelessly to liberate Nigeria and permanently end bad governance that had plagued the country for years. So, I am fulfilled and I don’t have any regret whatsoever on anything because the All Progressives Congress was formed as a political party to remove the bad governance that Nigerians endured over the years, and the work is ongoing.
“The All Progressives Congress under former President Buhari did eight years and now under President Bola Tinubu is doing it for the second year. The goal is to correct the bad governance that has been established over the years, so Nigeria can get back on track.
“Nigerians should appreciate, though we are not there yet and every individual’s pride should be rooted in honesty. We must strive to be honest with our country, avoid fraud, and do things the right way, so Nigeria can move forward.
“President Bola Tinubu’s policy aims to liberate Nigeria from its current challenges and set the nation on a path to prosperity. In a few years, we’ll see the positive impact of his policies”.
Calling on parents and guardians to prioritise education of their children, Akande said, “Allowing them (children) access to quality education is tantamount to bequeathing a brighter future for them and a safer country for all”.
Delivering a paper at the event, a Psychiatric Mental Health practitioner at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Dr. Adeoye Oyewole, called on Nigerians to prioritise their health.
Oyewole also urged them to desist from frivolities in the quest to survive beyond the economic challenges in the country.
He said, “We need to reflect more about things that are very important, not urgent, our health financing, our family, our children, our wife, our own physical health, education of our children, that is the priority.
“We Nigerians have dwelled largely in that quadrant, and that has pushed us into crises of life. It has eaten into our life. It has affected our health, mental and physical health. We should stop wasting money on unnecessary ceremonies, unnecessary, public shows of affluence, which have no direct correlations to our health”.
