TRIBUTE TO ASIWAJU BOLA HAMED TINUBU AT 70

In today’s Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a subject. Many great word-works have been done to eulogise the personality of the man who rose to the peak of his calling on self-belief, sagacity, decorum, vision and divinely mobilised force beyond human comprehension.

No more beautiful words can be used to paint a man that has been described as “a kingmaker, courageous and fearless political General, patriot, motivator, strategic thinker, risk taker, grand master of grassroots politicking, humanist, visionary leader, crowd puller, crusader for change and enthronement of the rule of law, electoral reforms, justice, good governance and development; and a great apostle of power, which, in his view, is never served a la carte.”

Asiwaju is always exuding charisma, carriage, dignity and honour, an indomitable opposition leader, a man endowed with sheer organisational ability, mobilisation prowess, uncommon acumen, masterful logic, foresight, and above all, he is the most colourful politician in the post-Awolowo era.

John Quincy Adams said leadership is practised in attitude and action rather than words.

Asiwaju, beyond reasonable doubt, has been reckoned with by our history. One of the greatest characteristics of prophets and leaders is prediction concerning them long before their arrival. About three decades ago, the late Sage and indomitable political icon, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, predicted that progressive forces would float a formidable opposition platform that would win federal power in Nigeria. The former Premier of the defunct Western Region and identified leader of Yoruba race foretold the emergence of a man that would achieve what the oppositions in the country attempted in 1959/60, 1964, 1979, 1983, 2003, 2007 and 2011 but could not achieve despite their intellectual capacity, ideological inclination and vision of a better society.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, against all the odds, shown that baba Awolowo’s prediction then was meant for him.

After the demise of Obafemi Awolowo, Tinubu is the outstanding Yoruba Leader to have profoundly shaped and dictated the pendulum of Nigerian Politics from a regional route. Tinubu brought to a close the search for a successor or a clone that can best fit in to the legacies of Awo. Having several resemblances with Obafemi Awolowo, Tinubu takes a step further in his leadership style that demolished the barrier wall and built access and smooth relationship between him and those who follow him on one hand and between him and the common man on the other hand.

Described as the King of Bourdillon, no individual of whatever class is barred from accessing Tinubu’s political empire.

Hence, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, I rejoice with our own Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu. I wish him more of sound health, prosperity and above all, God’s wisdom to keep leading us in the right path.

Igba odun, odun kan ni.