Today we rejoice in the unfolding of a new dawn as Nigeria is on her way to becoming the choicest jewel of Africa; crown of stars would soon sit on her head, stars twinkling in our eyes, a big smile is gradually forming on parted lips.
This nation is fast rising triumphantly into the waiting arms of the world; Nigerian is destined to rule Africa again. But, we must not forget the man who has selflessly offered his un-defeating guiding hands to marshal the plans for the most successful political merger in our national history, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man totally committed to the development of the Nigeria, and keeping alive the aspirations of the nation’s founding fathers. Bola
Tinubu, a shining example, who ignited the dying passion in Nigerian politics when the best among us had totally given up out of frustration, abandoning the affairs of the nation into the hands of President Goodluck Jonathan surrounded by human rats in power. Bola Tinubu refused to be an observer or a spectator, but an active player. He deserves a special honours among the architects of modern Nigeria. He laboured so that the season of tyranny, despotism and oppression in our land should cease.
Place in history
Bola Tinubu, no doubt, has walked the walk of the mightiest. In our reflections, when we gather all heroes ever known in the liberation struggle and actualisation of the Africa dream, he fits perfectly into the mold of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Mantha Gandhi. Because of these me, Africa is gradually becoming a breeding ground for visionary and dynamic democrats,who are concerned about making Africa work. His politics is serious with unparallel passion.
Thus, giving us a new definition of a modern purposeful politics. He has the hand of a surgeon and accuracy of an architect to gather the relics of our broken destiny and fix it back. He is one of the political wonders, long awaited for in Africa: militant in spirit, yet he had succeeded in leading a bloodless revolution in our own generation, his dream had steered the troubled ship of our destiny as a nation out of the explosive waters of crises, now Nigeria is found beside the calm waters of advancement unfolding before our very own eyes.
Bola Tinubu toiled tirelessly for our democracy to flourish to an enviable height we see today; he believes that any cause that would push Nigeria forward is worth waiting for, worth fight for and defending.
Even when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, OBJ, transformed into a despot in Agbada, Bola Tinubu radiated the beauty of resistance to OBJ’s undue domineering posture and attitude. Bola Tinubu is not in league of vipers and scorpions who call themselves politicians. He has no time roaming like a vulture in the political circle, his time is too precious to him. The first time I and my twin brother, Taiwo, met Bola Tinubu, at a special reception organised for PANAFEST in his house with some ambassadors and his political associates in attendance, he shook our hands, his palms were too soft and tender to cork a gun, yet he had fought without throwing a grenade and he won. He spoke about two things great men in history always talk about; his father and time. He is a man of moderation,simple and impressive,a genius per excellence,he has a sharp and striking voice, something about him is legendary.
Coming from the corporate world as an accountant with Mobil oil, he ventured into the muddy waters of Nigerian politics; Bola is good in accounting, but extra good in politics. His principle of governance stood Lagos State out, when other AD states lost to the central government of the People Democratic Party, PDP, a party crowded by politicians with terrible spots of a leopard skin.
Bola Tinubu never sits leisurely in an armchair, but restless and busy pursuing causes he believes in. He saw the misery of an entire nation,it gnawed at his heart and fueled his resolve to fight.
He detests inequality in a federation like Nigeria, so, he campaigns for justice where there is an injustice. No barricades unjustly fashioned to silence our judicial system has ever dampened his spirit, he believes the people’s verdict should be upheld at all cost. He has defended the cause of justice at the expense of his own life; colliding with powers that be on such occasion, never afraid of Abacha’s murder squad that was on his trail like the fastest hyenas of the Luwero Triangle of Uganda.
The NADECO days
The NADECO’s days was the chapter of lamentations for Nigeria. A period when patriots like Balarabe Musa, Ebitu Ukiwe, Late Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, Late Beko Ransome Kuti, Ayo Opadokun etc kept vigil in the wilderness of patience and perseverance; people like Bola Tinubu were made fugitives for no reason in distant lands, because of faceless killers roaming the land.
To liberate Nigeria, Bola and others holed up in one West Coast African nation before fleeing abroad, because the silent footsteps of the adversary kept coming behind him, gunshots back at home fired at innocent Nigerians kept ringing in his two ears. With broken hearts, Bola and others crossed borders determined to find the missing link in the destiny of this beautiful land, called Nigeria. The courage derived from Bola and others in exile in those days encouraged those at home to remain steadfast.
Bred of a warrior mum
Bola must have been a child of liberation, child of revolution, afterall, he was breed of a warrior-like woman, Madam Abibat Magaji. He must have been shaped when the winds of 1929 Aba women riot was blowing, children born by such women are usually bold and fearless. Circumstance never deters or weary Bola, he is a fighter in the mould of Chaka the Zulu, a respected figure of rich cultural heritage and lineage of the courageous Tinubus as symbolised by Madam Tinubu of Lagos. It doesn’t matter people’s opinion of him; to some, Asiwaju knows too much, but Bola is not an island unto himself.
People from all walks of life like artistes, seasoned boardroom gurus, sound economic planners, international businessmen, activists, intellectuals, ambassadors, women and political leaders, youths and media practitioners all flock around him. He engages in war of conquest and conquers hearts of people. It is incorrect when some assume Asiwaju is a wasteful person, no he is not, he invests wisely where it counts, Asiwaju is a good businessman, he is always patient with his investment on business and people; no doubt he pampers men who are vision driven, a man full of life, a good dancer at that, even the winds become hilarious at his give-away jokes.
It was at the special event organised for the former American Ambassador to Nigeria; Dr. Omobowale Walter Carrington at the City Hall in Lagos in 2010, when Bola on the high table excused himself to visit the rest room, trust Lagosians, some hailed Tinubu, while others followed him into the gents. Bola turned back, politely he said to them; “its not proper for you to follow me to the gents, please excuse me, I will see you later”. As Tinubu came out, he met Chief Bisi Akande, he told him what had happened, Chief Akande was shocked, then his own reply too got Bola laughing uncontrollably :“ah, ah don’t you know you are a gold fish, no hiding place for you o”.
Jarganban of Bourdillon
Another interesting aspect of this great man called Jarganban is 26, Bourdillon st. Ikoyi, his residence. Asiwaju Tinubu, is not one of the superich hooked up behind barbed wired mansions, he puts to shame so many big men who hordes their wealth. 26, Bourdillon road could have been a quiet and unnoticed place with nature in deep slumber around it, but none of these, as the peace of this place is constantly under siege by men and women who are bent on seeing Bola for one thing or the other.
As mighty as the structure is, the weak flock and lean on it, knowing the overwhelming humanitarian gesture that blows out of this place, will certainly get to them too. Asiwaju opens his hands to the poor, devotes his time to commoners, a man with a lion’s heart,no wonder he is called the lion of Bourdillon. It is interesting to know that there is a Bola Tinubu School of Advanced Studies nurtured within Asiwaju’s Bourdillon residence.
It’s an academic forest where men hunt for brilliant ideas and principles that guide his political empire. Here discussions are always heated, fired inspirations on issues pertinent to the development of Africa nay Nigeria. It takes great minds to recognise and appreciate the library of a great man. The day we stumbled on Bola’s library will remain unforgettable. This is where Bola Tinubu studies far into in the wee hours of the night,when only the sound of the night bird is heard. At this time, Asiwaju is silent and deep in thought, devouring books developing his mind and ideas on statesmanship,nation building.
A friend to world leaders and presidents,Bola Tinubu has now become a global personality in African and the Diaspora. Indeed, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a pride to Africa and the black race.
Taiwo and Kehinde Oluwafunso, Panafest Representatives, Lagos.
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