All Progressives Congress (APC)
National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Monday urged Nigerians to recognise the
value of diversity and use it for the prosperity of the country.
Tinubu made the call at a public
presentation of a book entitled: ‘Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and
Politics’, a memoir of Chief Olusegun Osoba.
The book is a 341-page
autobiography of Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State, with records of his
life as a journalist and a politician. It was launched to mark his 80th
birthday in Lagos.
Tinubu said that the APC
recognised the place of unity in diversity, which informed the ‘broom’ symbol
of the party.
“When we proposed our symbol of
APC as a broom, what we meant is our unity in diversity.
“Different heights in a broom.
You cannot see a single broom tied together of the same height, unless you cut
it.
“Our problem in this country is
that instead of using our diversity for prosperity, we continue to use our
diversity for division, either religion or tribe.
“It is a lesson that we are to
take away from here today. Let’s stop it. The broom is very strong when it is
tied together,” he said.
Tinubu described Osoba as an open
book, a very honest and straight personality.
He thanked Osoba for the many
revelations in the book, which talked about the history, present and future of
the country.
“He was one of the main
contributors to our constitution, which we depend on today, ” Tinubu said.
Also speaking, Senate President
Ahmed Lawan urged Nigerians to embrace unity and eschew all forms of mistrust
and suspicion.
“Nigeria is a country that is
rich in diversity. This diversity is our strength as a nation. No country can
develop when there is no unity.
“As political leaders, we must
demonstrate clear sense of leadership to make Nigeria work for all of us, ”
Lawan said.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
State said it was important to document the life of senior important
personalities for posterity.
“In the book, Chief Osoba wrote
some things that will motivate and serve as a guide to politicians and
Nigerians to build a better country.
“Chief Osoba’s life is a clear
reflection that you must have a good job to become a good politician.
“He was a journalist of note, and
that made him a successful and outstanding politician. This should be the
direction of our country, “he said.
Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, described Osoba as an exemplar in
the annals of governors.
” Chief Osoba is a timeless and
very senior member of the club of governors. He has every counsel and advice
for every generation of governors. I am a beneficiary.
“There are stories told in his
book that will be essential for our country, for the future of our democracy
and for the good of our people ,” he said.
In his goodwill message, former
military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, described Osoba as a detribalised
and accomplished journalist.
”Osoba knows how to cultivate
friendship with people, irrespective of tribe or religion. He was like a bridge
between us (military) and the people, and he has the ability to speak truth to
power for the good of mankind, ” he said
In his speech, Osoba thanked
dignitaries who turned up at the event, saying he was highly honoured by their
presence.
He said that he wrote the book
with his wife to document his experiences as a politician and a journalist.
According to him, there were so
many things that might not be known and he needed to write the book to reveal
all.
In his remarks, the publisher of
the book, Mr Lanre Idowu, said it was conceptualised in 2016 and centred on
Nigerian journalism and politics.
Some of the dignitaries at the
launch were former Ogun State governor, Mr Gbenga Daniel; former governor of
Oyo State, Sen Abiola Ajimobi; Gov. Olurotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Chief
Odigie Oyegun, former APC National Chairman; former governor of Akwa-Ibom, Sen.
Godswill Akpabio; Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; and Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje
of Kano State.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former
Minister, Information, Culture and Tourism; Pastor Tunde Bakare, popular Lagos
cleric; Chief Bisi Akande, APC chieftain; former governor of Cross River State,
Mr Donald Duke; Political Economist, Prof. Pat Utomi; and former Minister of
Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi were also present.
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