It was a gathering of some of the leading lights of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday in Abuja.
They turned out to honour former acting National Chairman, Chief Adebisi Akande.
The occasion was the public presentation/book launch in honour of the frontline politician.
The book, titled: The Challenges of Good Governance in Nigeria, was authored by Mr. Oluseyi Adetanmi.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, APC National Stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor Umar Gandoje described Akande as a leader of impeccable integrity and consistent practitioner of good governance.
Osinbajo likened the former governor to the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for his ability to document his thoughts.
The Vice-President, who was the special guest of honour, spoke on the value of introspection.
According to him, Akande gave a new definition to progressive governance.
Osinbajo described Akande as a true icon of Nigerian politics, a leader of impeccable integrity and a consistent practitioner and advocate of good governance.
He added: “A tradition of our political tendency is that of introspection or reflection. By our tendency, I refer to that established by Papa Obafemi Awolowo, which, despite its various iterations and versions, we all agree to describe as progressive politics.
“Awo, in his lifetime, reflected extensively on the Nigerian political economy, and all that surrounded it. He did so in several books and speeches. He reflected on federalism, on fiscal policy within a federal state; he took positions on ideology and its place in developmental politics. He wrote and spoke extensively on public finance. He concerned himself with the solutions to the poverty and misery of the majority of the Nigerian people in his days.
“Because he subjected himself to the rigour and discipline of writing down his thoughts and because that had to be logical and well thought through, his views have endured through the decades and we can use his ideas to advantage in contemporary governance.
“Deep reflection is crucial in political leadership and it is the difference between transformational leadership and the banal. So, we are able to understand why Awo thought it fit to spend 41 per cent of the budget of the (defunct) Western Region on education; why he believed that the misery and wretchedness of the human condition is first on account of an undeveloped mind, a mind not formally tutored.
“A tutored mind, Awo believed, would unleash the potential in the mind, body and spirit. So, he understood the process of education as one of unshackling of the three-fold component of the human being. Indeed, as if to underscore the point of the primacy of deep thought, Awo titled a 1973 lecture at the Ake Centenary Hall (in Abeokuta, Ogun State) in the following scriptural words: “as a man thinketh so he is”.
“Anyone who has paid attention to Chief Bisi Akande will notice that he observes that tradition, documenting his thoughts on governance, on the responsibilities of those who govern…
“This tradition of converting the birthdays and celebrations of our leaders to moments of reflections is an important one. I was privileged to speak on the subject of reforming our electoral laws at Chief Bisi Akande’s 70th birthday.
“Every year, since 2008, we devote the March 29 Asiwaju Bola Tinubu birthday to the Bola Tinubu Colloquium where we take as deep a dive as a one day event will allow into one matter of importance in governance or political economy.
“It is the duty of leadership to continue to reflect, to write, to debate the rigour of our thoughts and ideas and the discipline of execution that will lift our people from ignorance and misery to wealth and prosperity.”
Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the challenge of good governance is a compelling one.
He said it was the challenge that brought the APC to power, adding that the road to good governance is rough as lots of obstacles are on the way.
Represented by former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the former Lagos State governor said he considered himself lucky to be among the few mentored by the honouree.
He said the nation remained grateful to Chief Akande for always working for public good.
Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola hailed the elder statesman for his giant strides at the helm in Osun State.
Kano State Governor Gandoje said the country needs more leaders in the mound of Pa Akande.
APC Deputy National Chairman Shuabu Lawal described the honouree as an embodiment of humility, adding that it would be difficult to have many of his kind in the current politics in Nigeria.
Chief Akande said education holds the key for any nation,m especially Nigeria, to attain its full potentials.
He frowned at the current practice where the economy is being driven by what he called “prayers and miracles”.
He called for restructuring of the nation’s school curriculum to reflect modernity.
House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila was represented by Deputy Majority Leader Peter Akpatason; Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege was represented by Senator Olubunmi Adetumobi.
Kano and Osun state governors were represented by their deputies while Lagos State Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.
Other APC chieftains and leaders at the event included former Oyo State Governors Christopher Alao-Akala and Abiola Ajimobi.
The ministers at the event included Otunba Niyi Adebayo (Industry, Trade and Investment), Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Information and Culture) and Paulen Tallen (Women Affairs).
Also, erstwhile Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other APC chieftains attended the event.
