From Clement Adeyi, Osogbo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has said the series of messages on unity being preached by Nigerians, especially the leaders, across the country, can only make sense if the preachers live by the principles of the message.

He stated this yesterday during the burial of Mrs Omowumi Akande, the wife of erstwhile governor of Osun State and Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande.

Osinbajo, who paid glowing tributes to the Akande’s matriarch, made reference to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who he described as a detribalised leader.

“We can talk about Nigerian’s unity only when we act what we preach. Our strength as a nation lies in our diversity and size. Many states of Nigeria are far bigger than many nations of Africa and some parts of the world. The economy of Lagos State, for instance, is six times of Rwanda’s. We must learn to stand together and work together. This is the great message of Mr. President,” the acting vice president said.

Osinbajo, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to support the ideals of peace and unity which, he said, many great leaders stand for.

Emphasising on the unity legacy set by Tinubu, Osinbajo went down memory lane: “Our great leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, is a visionary. When he was governor of Lagos State, he assembled all of us as commissioners without any consideration to where you have come from. While I am from Ogun State, Dele Alake and Bamidele Oyeyemi are from Ekiti State. Rauf Aregbesola is from Osun State, Lai Mohammed is from Kwara State.”

He disclosed that he was with President Muhammadu Buhari in London when he received the news of the death of Mrs Akande.

Osinbajo said the president was touched by the news and quoted him as saying: “How will Baba (Chief Akande) feel now?”

Osinbajo also disclosed that Buhari had called Akande to commiserate with him. The acting president stressed that the late Mrs Akande is being celebrated after her death because she was a virtuous woman.

He enthused that the deceased and her husband were like twins.

“Mama’s loyalty to Baba was unequalled. She and Baba raised their children well. We are happy to see the children she left behind doing well. Mama, no doubt, has left a good legacy behind. She had lived a life we are happy to remember with joy. We are celebrating the life of this great woman,” Osinbajo said.

“Baba has displayed courage many times, especially when it was rough politically. But while we are wondering how he will cope this time round, he has shown a tremendous courage again. Baba will always remain a beacon of light to us. Thank you for being a light to the leadership of our party, the APC, and not just politics,” he said. The 73-year-old matriarch was buried amid tributes by eminent Nigerians at her husband’s Ila-Orangun country home yesterday.

Dignitaries across Nigeria were in attendance at the Islamic prayer and short sermon session held in honour of the deceased on a sprawling open field opposite Akande’s residence.

In attendance were the acting president, Osinbajo, the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, his counterparts from Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Rotimi Akeredolu and Senator Isiaka Ajimobi, respectively.

Also in attendance were the former Ekiti State governor and deputy national chairman the APC, Segun Oni, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, the Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, former Ondo State Governor, Bamidele Omomilua and chairman of the Nigeria Export Commission Council, Segun Awolowo, among others.

The Islamic cleric, Mohammed Jamiu, in his sermon, admonished political leaders to use their positions to help the poor.

He said the politicians should always remember that God gives power to whoever he chooses, adding that when they fail to bring succour to the less privileged, God’s mercies will elude them.