Vice President Yemi Osinbajo describes governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state as a bridge builder for hosting this year’s Colloquim to honor the 69th Birthday celebration in Kano, that was held at Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, Monday.
He made the commendation when he joined the event virtually from his office, as bad weather in Kano, disallowed him to join physically, as planned earlier. The same bad weather affected many governors and other dignitaries from joining physically, instead joined virtually.
“Governor Ganduje graciously accepted to host this physical aspect of the Colloquim this year. At this juncture, governor Ganduje has helped us to tell two stories. The first is that, this is the first time Colloquim is being hosted outside Lagos or Abuja, Capital City.
This is the City of radicals and progressive ideas and ideologies. The city with breeding political leanings with left or centre. Which is the dominant tendency in our party,” he said.
The second story according to the Vice President is “…this underscores the point that this country and its people are more powerful and stronger, when together than apart. If not we respect each others ideas, we wouldn’t have accepted Governor Ganduje’s acceptance to host the event.”
On the celebrant, Tinubu, the Vice President in an attempt to hint that so far no Nigerian political leader raised leaders more than Asiwaju, he said “…it is very clear that he raised several Vice Presidents, several governors and former governors, commissioners, former commissioners,
Honourable Ministers, former Ministers, local government functionaries, social agitators, top brass journalists, who can all trace their political trajectory to Asiwaju leadership.”
Adding that, “He has a vast array of ideas, deeply rooted in him. He is not afraid of his ideas being scrutinised or even criticised even by his subordinates. This is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for you. The Jagaban.”
Tinubu appreciated that, “With this Colloquim taking place in Kano, it tells you that people are agitating wrongly. We are in Kano to demonstrate to Nigerians at this critical time that, there is a Fulani man, a herder man, who gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to a Yoruba man. So if I can go and spend some days with my brother-in-law and no quarrel between us all this while. Then what are people talking about?
He further explained that, “Ganduje is showing to Nigerians about the unity of Nigeria. Ganduje has been working sleeplessly since from the time I came in. We went round to see project this, project that. All for the development of his state. It was me who even said I have seen enough Mr Governor.”
In his brief remarks, governor Ganduje thanked Tinubu for choosing Kano for the event. “We thank you for choosing Kano to be the main venue for the occasion, ” he acknowledged.
“The choice of this year’s topic of discussion at this colloquium: “OUR COMMON BOND, OUR COMMON WEALTH: THE IMPERATIVE OF NATIONAL COHESION FOR GROWTH AND PROSPERITY” is timely, considering professed agitations for secession by sections of the country at a time when Nigeria is going through most challenging security situation in its history,” he challenged.
Governor Ganduje reiterated that “While we believe in the efforts by the President and Commander-In-Chief to sail the nation through this difficult times, it very imperative for us to realise that we need one another to survive, as no part of Nigeria can do it all alone and still command the kind of influence that Nigeria currently enjoys in the comity of nations.”
While congratulating the celebrant he said, “On this joyous occasion, I join the Jagaban and immediate and political families in celebrating the abundant grace of God on your life as a great leader and formidable political force who has brought changes to the political landscape of Nigeria. Congratulations and Happy Birthday.”
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, joined the event also virtually from the State House, Abuja.
Many dignitaries from around the globe and some governors, who were billed to grace the occasion, joined the event virtually. They include, President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr George Weah former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, among many others.
