The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Monday lauded the sterling contributions of the former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Adebisi Akande, to national development.
He described him as one of the pillars that uphold the nation and the progressives in the country.
Aregbesola made the statement while addressing the participants at a special prayer session marking the 78th birthday of Chief Akande, in Ila-Orangun.
He commended the celebrant for being part of the leaders that enthroned progressives in power in 2015, saying Akande would continue to be remembered on the good side of political history in Nigeria.
Aregbesola attributed some of the successes recorded by his administration to legacies laid by Chief Akande while serving as Governor of the state.
He said Akande has always been the brain behind the success of progressives and APC in Nigeria having served tremendously in various capacities to place the party to mainstream of political circle in Nigeria.
According to him, the tremendous impacts of Chief Adebisi Akande towards the transition of Alliance for Democracy, AD, to Action Congress, AC, to Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and finally to All Progressives Congress of Nigeria, APC can never be quantified.
“His sterling quality and exemplary leadership have been the insights through which young politicians are bred.
“Chief Akande’s political school of thought has been the guides for whoever heeds to it to succeed in politics.
“Baba had played a crucial role in the sustainability of our democracy, as well as the enthronement of APC to centrestage of national politics.
“As we all know that Baba’s immense contributions towards the attainment of progressive government in Nigeria led us to where we are today.
“He laboured. He fought and he conquered. That is why we will continue to celebrate your charismatic leadership in the annals of democracy in Nigeria”, Aregbesola added.
The Governor called on other political leaders in the country to emulate Akande’s simplicity and rear commitment to good governance, saying “through these, the sky would be the staging point to success.”
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“It is not an overstatement to call Baba a seasoned politician and an accomplished achiever whose ideology has redefined and turned around the lives of teeming beings.
“I am proud of your diligence and high sense of determination to good governance as you have played your own roles diligently to the advancement of our nation most importantly in making the country a better place to be for all and sundry.
“You have printed your footprints in the sounds of time as your profound contributions to the upliftment of our dear state of Osun, Nigeria and beyond would be forever celebrated.
“As much as I rejoice with you for being a contemporary game changer, performer and transformer in Nigerian politics, I equally implored you not to relent in rendering your advice to the needy for the progress of Osun and Nigeria at large.
He therefore prayed God to continue to uphold the celebrant as he forges on in building a virile society being aspired by all.
Earlier, the celebrant and former Governor of Osun, Chief Adebisi Akande, who expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God for adding another year in good health and robust knowledge, promised to continue to do his best on impacting in the lives of the people.
He thanked God for using him to effect positivity and progress in the lives of the people, saying “I am grateful for ageing graciously”.
Chief Akande used the occasion to implore Nigerians on the need to embrace farming and shift attention from crude oil.
He attributed the challenges confronting the nation to over-dependence on crude oil, saying it is high time for every Nigerian to go back to farm.
Akande said that no effort must be spared by the rulers and the ruled at resuscitating the decadence in agriculture sector, arguing that agriculture remains the only sustainable sector that can rescue the nation from her present complications.
“I am saying this because we have all seen the result of our over-reliance on crude oil. Oil is fading and this has informed us to work hard and device other means of economic sustenance.
“While doing this, we must not forget that agriculture remains answer towards the accomplishment of our yearnings and aspirations.
“All Nigerians, most significantly, the youths must key into this advice of diversifying the means of general incomes,” Akande implored.