The R-WIN-WIN Movement, one of the groups drumming support for the 2023 presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday told Nigerians, particularly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), not to be distracted in their search for President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.
The group spoke in Kano simultaneously as a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ondo State, Mr. Akin Akingbesote, declared that he and many others joined the Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) to ensure that the presidential ambition of Tinubu becomes a reality.
“The national leader of the party (APC) should show us the way and fly the ticket. A leader is one who knows the way, and one who knows the way should lead,” key note speaker Engr. Rabi’u Suleman Bichi, who is the Executive Chairman, Policy Strategy, Implementation and Evaluation Directorate, Government House, Kano, said at the R-WIN-WIN interactive discourse on Tinubu 2023.
Bichi, a former Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), added: “We as Nigerians and people of Kano are here today to discuss about Buhari’s successor and how our R-Win-WIN will help renew Nigeria, the person that will become president in 2023 and how what we want will be possible in terms of job creation, healthcare and youth employment, among others.
“That person is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The former Lagos governor will rescue Nigeria because he thinks ahead. He brought this government to power in 2015; a change Buhari tried for 12 years without success until Tinubu formed an alliance with him.
“He is the only one who will build on Buhari’s laudable projects and policies. We need people with good qualities who can carry the people along.
“A leader sees ahead and tells his people. He leads the way, does not come to steal public funds, has good character, knows and teaches his people how to do it.
“If you check very well, Tinubu doesn’t rely on public funds. His mother, who is called Alhaja, invested all her money on Tinubu.
“Tinubu worked in foreign oil company. They born him with money and he grew up with money, so he cannot steal public funds.
“Lagos used to be unsecured. We would see corpses by the roadsides. But all that stopped when Tinubu became governor up till now.”
Explaining further why Tinubu is the right person to succeed Buhari come 2023, he said the APC national leader made unprecedented achievements in Lagos between 1999 and 2007, of which his greatest performance was in Lekki.
He said: “Bola Tinubu came in when Lagos was generating only N500 million as revenue in a month. But by the time he handed over to Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos was generating N25 billion.
“Presently, Lagos is generating about N50 billion or more, having handed over to Fashola who handed over to Ambode and now Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
Guest Speaker at the discourse, Ambassador Aliyu Lawal Saulawa, told the audience that upon his election as governor in 1999, Tinubu sat down with his team to draw up a 25-year development plan for Lagos.
Saulawa said: “With this plan on ground, he discovered it would be a mirage should the financial base of the state remain at an abysmally low level as he met it. He, therefore, kick-started a review of the financial status of the state and how to shore up its revenue.
“With his professional background as accountant and auditor, he addressed the issue of revenue with every determination required. The administration also reformed the tax administration process.
“This measure was accompanied by the continuous renovation and upgrading of the state’s tax offices with modern facilities to aid electronic tax collection and reporting. This brought 1GR from N600 million to N25 billion by the time he was leaving office.
“One radical measure taken in regard to the application of information and communications technology was the introduction of the Lagos State Government Electronic Banking System of Revenue Cycle Management (LASG EBS-RCM) project.
“Partnering with the private sector, Lagos State used high-level technology to ensure more effective monitoring of collected revenue.
“With funds at his disposal, he was able to carry out iconic people-friendly projects and built so many roads among which were the construction of Adeola-Odeku Road, dualisation of lkorodu-ltokin-EpenLink Road, dualisation of Ejigbo-Ajao Estate/Airport Road, dualisation of Mende/Opebi Link Road, expansion of Badagry Expressway and many more.
“As at the time he took over governance in Lagos, the state was considered the dirtiest state in Africa with heaps of filth everywhere. He decided to sensitise the citizenry on the need for a cleaner Lagos; a decision that led to a massive attitudinal change by people.
“During his tenure as Lagos State governor, he established the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). He also established additional five general hospitals in the state. He provided free healthcare services including free ante-natal care for women, free eye treatments and free glasses popularly called JIGIBOLA.
“He upgraded facilities at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUT) while he also pioneered the Bus Rapid Transit System and LAGBUS to ease commuter stress.
“An advocate of fiscal federalism, Asiwaju battled and won 13 landmark cases related to the principle of federalism at the Supreme Court and created 37 local council development areas.
“Tinubu instituted a reform plan that greatly improved the welfare of judicial officers including magistrates. He revamped the civil and criminal procedure rule as well as creation of the Citizens Mediation Centre, a well-staffed and independent Office of the Public Defender offering legal services for the poor.
“During the eight-year period of his being in office, he made large investments in education in the state and also increased the number of schools in the state by returning many schools to the already settled former owners.
“The Tinubu administration was the first to approach the capital market to source long term funds to pursue major projects.
“In 2003, the Lagos State Government created the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), signaling its intention to reorient the way in which transport services were managed and implemented.
“Asiwau Bola Ahmed Tinubu implemented an independent power project in 1999, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
“Above all, he is a first class human capital developer and empowerment engine for the people.”
Hajiya Mariam Ibrahim Hali said Tinubu is detribalised and is not a religious bigot but one who believes in credibility.
She told the audience how Tinubu invests in humanity, which is why he appointed his cabinet members from different states who are today serving in different capacities.
“Tinubu is also gender sensitive, as he cares for women, particularly widows and children,” she said.
(The Nation)
