By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Elder statesman and Chairman of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeeen Oluyole Olusi, CON, has called on Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts make the country better and turn the economy around, reports thegazellenews.com
While admitting the current harsh economic situation in the country, Prince Olusi said the pain is temporary noting that without hardship, there would be no comfort.
He urged Nigerians to be “patient and endure. Very soon things will turn around for good for all of us.”
Prince Olusi stated this while speaking at TheGazelleNews 2024 Public Lecture held at Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State on Thursday, 5 November, 2024.
The elder statesman was honoured with the Longtime Achievement in Politics and Governance at the event.
He became the second winner of the prestigious award after the maiden award was won by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, 17 March, 2022.
Prince Olusi thanked organizer of the award for the apt and germane theme of “Poverty Alleviation: Fantasies, Expectations, and Realities of People’s Empowerment” which centres of poverty, its challenges and how to reduce its prevalence in the society.
Olusi, who was represented at the occasion by his son and Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, Prince Adetoyese Olusi, said he was very happy that in his life time democracy has come to stay, just as he also called on all Nigerians to support the current administration of President Bola Tinubu in his efforts to make Nigeria great again.
While praying that God will guide Tinubu to stir the ship of Nigeria to the promise land, the astute politician said “without hardship, there would be no comfort and despite the challenges the country is presently facing, the government of Tinubu will get Nigeria out of the woods. What he needs from us now is our support so that he can take us to the promise land.”
The main lecture was delivered by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadir Obafemi Hamzat whose address was delivered by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso.
His presentation was discussed by the duo of the Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Honourable Rasaq Olusola Ajala; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr OoreOluwa Finnih while the event was moderated by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Professor Basirat Olusola Oladipupo.
Prominent personalities present at the event include: a member of GAC and former Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire who was represented by High Chief Akin Idowu Bashiru; former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obaniko, represented by Sultan Junaid; and the Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni represented by his Chief of Staff and former Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr Hakeem Adeniji.
Others are: top Manager at the Providus Bank, Dr (Mrs) Abosede Yinka-Ogundimu; her husband and former member of the state House of Assembly, Yinka Ogundimu; Rector of YabaTech, Dr Ibraheem Abdul who was also represented; APC Chieftain, Fouad Oki; Lagos Island Chairmanship aspirant, Aru’Lahi Folami; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works, Engineer (Dr) Adekunle Olayinka represented by former Executive Secretary of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Rotimi Adeleye; former member of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Alhaji Musbau Oyefeso; top professionals: Adeleke Adeseri, Larne Alabi and Moshood Isamotu; and prominent members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers: Maureen Chigbo, President; Dotun Oladipo, Semiu Salami, Semiu Okanlawon, Sakibu Olokojobi, Tunde Abatan, Mustapha Ogunshakin, Ayo Olesin, Gabriel Akinadewo, Mojeed Jamiu and Olumide Iyanda.