.mourns Ghali Naaba, Akeredolu’s death
.as Sanwo-Olu hosts president in Marina, seeks support for administrations
.Ikorodu Monarch demands special status for Lagos, recognition of 37 LCDAs, monarchs’ role

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians that despite the current harsh economic realities his administration was determined to take Nigeria through the tunnel, the tunnel of hope, stability and successful economic prosperity in the nearest future.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Wednesday, at a grand reception held in his honour by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Lagos House Marina.

Other dignitaries in attendance include Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Tayo Ayinde, members of the state Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, the state Head of Service, Bode Agoro, traditional rulers, All Progressives Congress, APC, Chieftains, among others.

According to Tinubu, “It’s a great homecoming and I am happy, if you are having problems seeing me, the job is monumental

“Is not a one-man job, it’s a collective team, and you have to be able to listen, decipher tolerate and sometimes what you don’t expect will happen.

“As I was getting ready this morning, then Akeredolu and Ghali Naaba’s matter came up.

“Power is transient, only Almighty Allah gives power and it is the only one who will take it.

“And we see the value of life, we see goodness in what we do, result of goodness is a multiplier of all good things that must be cherished, not for us but for our children and grandchildren.

“Nigeria is challenged, which has always been, but we will go through it. We are already seeing the blossoms of our plans.

“A lot of changes that will transform this economy, financial re-engineering of our country is ongoing.

“It cannot just be pushed out in a way that you can command and conquer a situation, but we are determined to take Nigeria through the tunnel, the tunnel of hope, stability and successful economic prosperity.

“We are doing that. Nigeria is in good hands. The team is working, Wale Edun is structurally reliable, brilliant and committed to financial re-engineering.

“You have a team like Atiku Bagudu, you have Cardoso in CBN, and many other members of the financial team.

“We have to take the baby steps so that you don’t break your bones we are working hard and I am sure the results will manifest for the goodness of our country.

“We recognize the hardship that people are going through, yes, there are mothers here.

“It’s a very good example of a labour pain. When mothers are in labour they go through very excruciating pains and when they hear the noise of the baby and the baby is born, that relief is achieved, they forget the agony of pain, and they cherish the smile and the voice of the baby. That is what Nigeria will be, I assure you.

“We will work hard to give you the best of economy and opportunities you can imagine.

“Let me say to the Governor, I listened carefully to you. I thank you and the deputy governor and the speaker for holding forth strongly and committing yourself to the value that you cherish together.

“The result-oriented approach in a team.To turn the ship around from cascading onto turbulent and make it steady

“Lagos was not easy for many of you, but you went through it and today, Lagos State is the most viable state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We went through the abuse for the initial, what are they doing, they cannot even clear refuse, when we came in, but Lagos has survived and will continue on the path of Glory.

“The constitutional requirements we have to hang it on the national assembly.

“But, I assure you, we will not abandon our culture and traditions to give value to your kingdoms and to your areas and Local government and LCDA, I have heard you bottom up, so, we are in it together, but we have to run an inclusive government.

“There are some areas of our country that are suffering from devastation of hunger and lack of education which is the proper tool to fight poverty.

I want you to join the campaign, to start the enrollment of our children in the school, giving food to our children in school regardless, we have to grow more at the local and state levels.

“I cannot go on reeling out programs here, but school feeding is an attraction for enrolment for the poor pupils in the classroom

“And to get them in the classroom is to reduce the propensity of poverty and terrorism we need to fight it together.”

Tinubu speaks

Earlier, the host, Sanwo-Olu, enumerated the great and laudable work President Tinubu had done in Lagos that has put it on the path of steady progress.

The governor stated,” You, as a governor of a state remodeled, rebuilt and recreated the entire edifice that is hosting you today. You have come here once again as a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This place is honoured to have you here, this afternoon, we want to thank you for your leadership for the origin of modern Lagos that you created and started for us.

“But more importantly, that you accepted to go represent Lagos at the federal seat, because you have continued to make the state proud as a son of the state and we are indeed happy.

“Your core constituencies are here, to thank you and to wish you very best of the season. This is your very first yuletide season as President of our great country.

“They have asked and you have graciously accepted that they come here to receive you.

“We have our traditional rulers, members of the National Assembly and the state assembly, and Lagos Cabinet members, these are your very best.

“We know that we are going through a tough time and we have said so that it’s not peculiar to our country, there have been global challenges and shakeups everywhere and problems in different parts of the world.

“You came and from the very first day and hit the ground running and have not looked back, you have shown the audacity of hope, the audacity of the belief of your resolve to take Nigeria to another level.

“And you said so that Nigeria will be best analyzed as somebody that is entering an aircraft and when the aircraft is taking off, and there are times you will see turbulence with the weather the pilot will come to stabilise the situation.

“We have seen the storm and you have assured us that after the storm, you will land us very well

“This your class are convinced that you’re the right man for the job and we are convinced that you will land this country very well.

“So we are solidly behind you, we are proud of the reforms you have started and we are proud the things that you are doing in this country and your engagement at the international arena.”

Ikorodu Monarch speaks

In his address, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi, appealed to President Tinubu to commence the process for the recognition of 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs and role of traditional rulers.

According to the monarch, “We also come apart from felicitating with you but also to express our unflinching loyalty.

“We have absolute confidence in your capacity and commitment to make Nigeria a better nation.

“A nation with abundant opportunities for our young people and a nation of peace, progress and development.

“Under your leadership we expect Nigeria to attain an enviable startup amongst emerging economies.

“Under your leadership, we hope the 20 local governments and 37 LCDAs will be enlisted in the constitution. Under your leadership, we expect the role of traditional rulers will be recognized in the position with statutory function.

“We have engineers among us. We have lawyers, we have accountants, we have engineers. We can play an advisory role.

“We are not competing with the politicians but we never compete with them. We know our limitation. At the end of your eight years, we pray and expect that a new trajectory of resilient growth and development will have been laid in our nation.

“Lagos deserves special status. We demand and we are asking that we need it. We deserve it. May God help you to let us achieve this. Mr. President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year in advance.”