President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Lagos revealed why he retained the just retired Inspector-General Police, Solomon Arase when he assumed office not because of his strategy and tactics as a policeman, but because of his intellect and capacity as an operations person.
This came as different speakers took turns to commend Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, at the public presentation of a book launch, “Cascade of Change: A decade of liberal thoughts,” written by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.The book centred on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s first year in office.
President Buhari presenting a gift to Outgoing Inspector General of Police IGP Solomon Arase shortly after receiving in Break of Fast audience Service Chiefs and Hosts in dinner Outgoing Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase in Statehouse on 20th June 2016 in Statehouse on 20th June 2016 The President, who was the Special Guest of Honour, while speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted Arase as saying that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner when he finished his tenure.
Adesina, who spoke about the reaction of Arase to a farewell dinner organised in his honour by Buhari, said Arase had expected that he would be sacked before the end of his tenure. His words:”While he (Arase) was speaking at the dinner in Abuja, he told the president that it was very strange for him to have been invited for a farewell dinner, as what we know in Nigeria is the incumbent getting sacked when a new government comes in.
According to Adeshina, “Mr. President appreciates sound mind and intellect and that shows the goodwill he has for Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the author of the book we are launching today (yesterday).”
He commended Ayorinde’s initiative in writing the book, and urged Nigerians to emulate him by contributing to knowledge. Governor Ambode in his remarks said his administration has succeeded in laying a strong foundation that would propel the state to emerge as a globally competitive city-state.
He said the state has the privilege of housing the largest collection of media houses in Nigeria, saying it was an indicator of the fact that every journalist, editor, columnist and blogger has a role to play in the development of the state. He said Ayorinde’s contributions and participation as the arrowhead of the media and strategy team in his governorship campaign was instructive to what the State Government could achieve if members of the team are on the same page.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba said in the last one year, Governor Ambode has silently embarked on massive transformation of the state. Osoba, who alluded to the clearing of Falomo Roundabout in Ikoyi, the ongoing dualization of Epe-Ijebu Road and many other infrastructural projects in Lagos, said he was indeed happy that the Ambode administration has continued in the tradition of excellence the state had always been known for.
He also commended the swiftness with which the Governor attends to issue of infrastructural renewal, saying many testimonies abound that Governor Ambode is a silent achiever, adding that such was what governance should be all about. In her goodwill message, former Managing Director of Concord Newspapers, Dr. Doyin Abiola said she was proud that Lagos has always been a centre of excellence producing people of excellence.
(Vanguard)
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