Tinubu @ 73: the uncommon leader, with uncommon destiny, by Kola Amzat
Bola Tinubu berths on the surface of the earth is likened to the Biblical Moses, who was born in Egypt and even, as a newborn baby found himself at the palace of King Pharaoh in a very mysterious circumstance orchestrated by heaven, with a divine assignment to ultimately rescue the Israelites, a most blessed race very close to God’s heart, from captivity of slavery.
This writer has been making diverse contributions on the mysterious Bola Tinubu in the last 8 years and will continue to do so, as long as the divine & unmistakable anointing on him continues to flow.
If his foes, particularly, his sworn political opponents are conscious of his divine assignments on the earth, may be, they won’t be dissipating energy pursuing devilish ventures, which they’re obviously bound to hit the brick wall!
Is anyone still doubting how the ex-Lagos state governor have been a mystery and tremendous success in all the enterprises he’s chosen to lay his hand on, since he hits the national limelight in 1993 when he triumphed in Lagos Central Senatorial Districts election, and even, before then, particularly his glorious accounting career as Treasurer of Mobil Oil Producing?
Everything he has engaged in, since 1993 have had the fingerprint of Almighty God. The way and manner he ascended to the topmost office in Lagos state in 1999 was most confounding.
It was reported that, he had his heart firmly settled to go to Upper chamber at national assembly for the second time, but, nature had a different agenda.
Some power brokers within Lagos political sphere were of deep conviction that, it’s less compensatory and even ridiculous for a man who shouldered, both home and abroad, the moral and financial sponsorship of NADECO, a pro-democracy group that battled the dark-goggled General Sani Abacha to standstill and eventual submission, to go for senatorial seat when the office of governorship was at his beckon.
The rest remains history, as Bola Tinubu seamlessly emerged then as Lagos state governor.
He didn’t disappoint, as he during his reign was the best governor across the federation for eight years the state was under his control.
For the records, he was the architect of modern Lagos. He developed the Blueprint of developments in all gamut, which successive governors of the state are implementing till date, a development that has catapulted the state economy to the best 3rd economy in Sub Saharan Africa.
For emphasis, one of his developmental initiatives, carving out 37 LCDAs from the then existing 20 LGCs is what has produced several cities within the Lagos mega city.
Without any iota of doubt, Ikorodu, Surulere, Epe, Badagry, Alimosho/Iyana Ipaja, Mile/Festac, Okota/Isolo/Ejigbo, Akowonjo, Agege, Ketu. Maryland etc are all big cities within Lagos metropolis.
Lagos state under Tinubu watch had monthly Internally Generated Revenue exponentially moved up from ₦600 million to about ₦8 billion.
Before then and across the country, such fiscal feat had never happened!
Before vacating Lagos state governorship office, the indomitable and fearless politician ensured that he reclaimed all South West states that Olusegun Obasanjo’s PDP led federal government fraudulently commandeered into their fold during the 2003 general elections.
After glorious and remarkable 8 years tenure in Lagos, Jagaban majestically marched into the main stream of national politics, emerging as the rallying point for progressives across the country on account of his remarkable achievements in Lagos.
Of course, he was the architect of APC mega party that emerged in year 2014 from the merger of progressives’ parties across the federation-ACN, APGA, ANPP etc.
He was also the brain behind of emergence of retired general, Muhammud Buhari, as the presidential candidate of APC, rallying supports of all and sundry for the Daura born ex-military president in an historic and unprecedented presidential that lasted for about three (3) days before providence used him as an instrument to sway victory on the path of Muhammud Buhari.
The APC army thereafter moved like men on rescue mission with unanimity of purpose to sweep away corrupt-ridden regime of Goodluck Jonathan led PDP, with Buhari holding forth for 8 years, with Tinubu standing by him like Rock of Gibraltar.
After the former Executive Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund completed his 8 years tenure, he had no choice than to repay Tinubu in his own coins for the remarkable supports he had given to him before ascending, as well as throughout his reign as civilian president.
Here we are! The illustrious Bola Tinubu continues his divine assignment on the earth surface, now as the President, Commander-in-Chief, of Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
What a man of history and his destiny!
Since his inauguration as president, he has changed the face of governance.
He has brought urgency, resourcefulness, purposefulness and courage, as well as patriotism, zeal, professionalism and ethical standards into governance.
He has since implemented symbolic reforms in oil & gas sector, foreign exchange market, civil service, tax administration & management, security architecture etc.
In one fell swoop, the inimitable Tinubu removed the oil subsidy, as well as floated the domestic currency to begin a new era of finding its level in the forex market.
Even though, the reforms engender very tough times for the populace, they’ve since begin to yield results, and Nigerians suddenly realized that the country could only continue with the way the two key economic drivers have been in the past, only at her peril.
The two hydra-headed challenges had hitherto constituted a noose around the economic jugular of our nation and impeded our economic development and progress.
More importantly, the reforms has signaled positive economic outlook for 2025, with the strengthening of Naira, coupled with consecutive quarters of foreign trade surpluses, as well as decreasing in fuel prices.
The stock market recently hits an incredible ₦67 trillion market capitalization mark, an unprecedented record in the nation annals, an indication of creating trillions in wealth, and a surge in foreign investments eloquently demonstrating renewed trust and confidence in Nigerian economy by the international community.
The aggregate government revenue is more than doubled, increasing by over ₦9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024 when compared to the same period in year 2023.
Under Tinubu watch, there seems restoration of the spirit of unity and togetherness that has eluded the nation over 4 decades.
With Tinubu, there is zero tolerance for hoodlums, bandits, insurgency and bands of criminals tossing around with nation territorial integrity.
Gigantic infrastructural projects are presently on-going all across the country. These include roads and bridges construction, huge investments in railways, power generation, as well as oil and gas developments.
The audacious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, as well as Sokoto-Badagry Highway projects signpost government intentional efforts in this direction.
Oil production has significantly improved to about 1.81 million barrels/day, with unassailable security architecture in place within Niger Delta deep ocean axis.
Another milestone achievement of the present administration is reduction in REVENUE to DEBT SERVICE RATIO from 97% to 68% in the last 15 months.
The government has begun the implementation of ₦70,000 minimum wage, a significant development that has improved the well-being of Nigerians workers across the land.
There are plenty of incentives for farmers aimed at increasing food production. There is also huge investments on mechanized farming such as tractors and planters, for the same purpose.
Just within 2 years of this administration, about 240,000 jobs through Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises funding have been created.
Consumer Credit Corporation has been established with over ₦200 billion take of grant to empower Nigerians to acquire essential products without the need for immediate cash payments, making life easier for millions of households around the country.
Students in tertiary institution are not left behind in government programs and plans, with the approval of over ₦95.6 billion to access in order to fund their individual educational aspirations.
Another milestone achievement of Tinubu presidency is the Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, an awesome initiative launched to power the transportation sector essentially to reduce costs. The president affirmed that this initiative has capacity to save over ₦2 trillion a month, being used to import PMS and AGO.
The audacious 2025 Appropriation Bill of ₦54.99 Trillion is also projected to reduce inflation from 34.6 to 15%, by significantly increasing food production, as well as promoting the local manufacturing of essential drugs and medical supplies.
Above and many more, are all accomplishments of the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Instructively, the remarkable feats are all within just two (2) of his presidency!
What more can we say about 73 years old president who has a date with history!
For years, his, have been the moves of grace. Everything he has touch have been the touch of grace.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Akanbi TINUBU, GCFR has never left anyone in doubt, as to his mission on the surface of earth.
To come, see and conquer! To registers his footprints at the sands of time! And, to bestrides the political world like colossus!
As this indomitable, iconic and very illustrious Nigerian and African clocks 73, we could only wish him more of those awesome accomplishments, as well as long live, with sound health, mental alertness and physical state.
Congratulations to Your Excellency, the quintessential president of Nigeria, the giant of Africa, on your 73rd Birthday Anniversary Celebration and many happy returns.
Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)
Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,
09077509348.
