BY OLUFISOYE ADENITAN
The former Secretary General of the Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, said President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated enough courage to lead Nigeria to greatness.
Arogbofa, who was the Chairman of the 2023 Democracy day in Ondo State, stated this on Monday in Akure.
He said expressed optimism that the president will bring positive changes to Nigeria, saying the new President has demonstrated significant courage to develop Nigeria.
Arogbofa , solicited for the support of Nigerians for Tinubu in his task to build a better Nigeria.
“Tinubu needs our cooperation. He has demonstrated enough courage. He has promised renewed hope and has demonstrated that he means business.
“He has the strength of character to do it. Let us rally round him and by the grace of God he will succeed and turn the country around,” he said.
In his address, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, said the success recorded in the just concluded presidential, National Assembly and State Assembly Elections were a good testimony that nothing could be better than democratic governance.
Akeredolu who was represented by his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, noted thatthe occasion of 30th anniversary of June 12,1993, was an opportunity to assess the country’s democratic journey since 1999.
“Nigerians greeted the return to democratic rule with widespread jubilation and optimism as they looked forward to a new era of stability, peace and prosperity.
” However, several years after, the question remains whether or not the aspirations of Nigerians vis-a-vis the promise of democratic governance has been fulfilled.
” The truth is that a preponderance of Nigerians spread across the land is still anxious to see the fulfillment of the promise of “democracy” and “development,” he said.
In her comment, the Secretary to the State Government, Oladunni Odu urged Nigerians to protect democracy, saying it could not be coated to military rule.
“We pray that the military will not have it’s incursion into governance again in this country,” he said.
The Guest Lecturer, Senior Special Assistant to Akeredolu on Special Duties, Dr Doyin Odebowale, said there was disconnect between the governed and political leaders.
In his lecture titled “Democracy, Development and Political Stability in Nigeria” noted that it would be difficult for a country as diverse as Nigeria to achieve progress with a unitary system of government in a democracy.
He said real development requires popular ownership and participation, adding that the idea of development must not be reduced to the issue of only brick and mortar.
“Real development requires popular ownership and participation. The idea of development must not be reduced to the issue of only brick and mortar.
“The National and State Assemblies must enact laws which make Development Plan alterable only by legislation. They must criminalise the incidence of abandoned projects.
“Education should not be centralized as it is at present. The federating units reserve the right to also design their curricula of education at all levels.
“The regulatory role given to the Federal Government should not be an excuse for over-centralisation of the management of the sector.
“There should be cooperation among States in the same geo-political zone for socio-economic progress.Any State considered not viable should be willing to merge with others for advantage,” he said.