By Tony Ogaga Erhariefe
NATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has stated that a nation cannot achieve progress unless its leaders planned meticulously for it beyond their tenures.
Tinubu spoke at the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards in Lagos on Sunday night, when he received the Extra Ordinary Man of the Year 2015 award.
He dedicated the award to his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“I dedicate this award to my wife who has been very supportive and also to Nigerians,” Tinubu said, afer receiving his award from Silverbvird Group Chairman, Senator Ben Bruce Murray.
Acording to him, no nation can achieve progress except its leaders plan meticulously for it beyond their tenures. “I am committed to this development and that is what my move to Abuja is all about. Our politicans must shun partisan politics and move Nigeria forward.
“We must also be committed to that plan to drive success and development, and that is what we must do together as a nation. As Nigerians, we must persevere endure and bear the pain now in order to have a better tomorrow.
“Let’s turn our challenge of today to prosperity of the future; we can achieve it.”
Others honoured at the event included Opral Benson, King Sunny Ade (KSA), Oba Otudeko, late Tafawa Balewa, Samson Siansia, Victor Uwaife, Eddie Ugboma, Akintola Williams, Lulu Briggs, late Melford Okilo and Balarabe Musa among others.
The award is designed to honour both dead and living Nigerians who have contributed immernsely to nation building.
Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos State, also urged Nigerians to be totally committed to the development of the country.
Jakande said Nigeria was blessed with many resources as well as great men and women to drive development in the country.
“The major challenge we are facing in our country is the problem of developing our resources and making them serve our purpose.
“There is unnecessary suffering going on in our country. Why should we be experiencing scarcity of fuel in a country that has the oil resources which many countries do not have?