....as he pays 'thank you' visit to Ogun monarchs
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday disclosed that he invoked the 'spirit of freedom' to counter the Naira swap policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, earlier in the year, during his electioneering campaign to Ogun State.
The President, who said this during a private visits to the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo in their palaces,
said he remained hopeful and optimistic about achieving victory in the last presidential election, despite the ineffective cashless policy implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The President was accompanied on the visit by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu and the Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategies, Dele Alake.
Tinubu, who came in a Presidential helicopter tagged, 5N FG2, Nigeria Airforce, was received by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Chief Olusegun Osoba and other supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
Speaking at the Palace of Awujale, Oba Adetona, President Tinubu said, he was on a thank-you visit to the royal fathers for their love and support towards his emergence as the President of Nigeria.
He described Oba Adetona as a courageous, steadfast and frank monarch, saying that he owes the monarch, the people of Ijebu, Ogun State and Nigeria, so much to thank them for.
He said he invoked the spirit of Emi Lokan – It’s my turn – from the Oba Adetona.
He said, “I invoked the spirit of Emi Lokan from Baba (The Awujale of Ijebuland) during my electioneering in Ogun State. That’s the spirit of freedom and that’s who we are as a people. You have an uncommon courage and you passed it to us.”
The former Lagos State governor said the hardship that accompanied the Central Bank of Nigeria cash swap policy during the electioneering period forced him to invoke the spirit of freedom in the South West state.
“I invoked the spirit of freedom in Ogun,” the President said while speaking at the palace of Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu Ode.
According to the President, he invoked the spirits of wisdom and determination, symbolised by “Baba Emilokan,” to overcome the obstacles in the election.
“Our monies were confiscated. The cashless policy didn’t work, it was terrible then. I realised that I came to this palace to invoke the spirit of freedom which we are noted for.
“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba Emilokan. That’s Baba. Being blunt, being decisive, that’s him, he will tell you. The second spirit is that money or no money (we will do the election and we will win),” he said.
President Tinubu acknowledged that these spirits had been the driving force behind his service and expressed his gratitude to Oba Adetona, all the Obas, elected officials, particularly his ‘personal friend’, Senator Gbenga Daniel, the Senator representing Ogun East.
He thanked them for their loyalty and commitment during those crucial times in the 2023 election.
The President, who described his visit to Ijebu-Ode as a homecoming, told Kabiyesi:
“The way you have taken me, the way you have responded to me, all I can say is thank you. May you live long and may you witness a prosperous Nigeria.”
He also acknowledged the presence of Chief Mike Adenuga, Nigerian billionaire businessman, and expressed pride in his contributions to the Nigerian economy.
While appreciating President Tinubu for the visit, the Awujale expressed delight at the various policies and programmes already initiated by the president and called for support from all and sundry.
The monarch noted that Tinubu is capable of taking Nigeria to promise land, and prayed for God’s guidance, good health and wisdom.
Oba Adetona, said that God spoke through President Tinubu when he said ’emi lokan’ meaning ‘it’s my turn’ during the electioneering period.
He noted that there is absolutely nothing one can do by himself except if God wants.
He said, “There is nothing one can do by himself except what God wants for that person.
“God spoke through you that it is your turn and may it not lead to death.”
The President left Ijebu-Ode for the Palace of Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, where he enjoined Nigerians not be in a hurry in seeking solutions to the challenges facing the nation, saying he is taking baby steps as the president.
In his words, the President asked Nigerians to go with him through what he called the baby steps of faith.
“Let's go through this baby steps of faith. I am taking baby steps as the President. Let's not be in a hurry. Be ready for this. Maintain an open-door policy. Let the freedom flow. Let the confidence return. This country is the only country we have. I've been a refugee and I know what it means to be a refugee,” he said.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that he is determined to deliver on all campaign promises, calling for prayers after achieving his ‘Emilokan’ prayer point.
“Having achieved the prayer point of 'Emilokan', what I ask for is prayer for this country. I am determined to help this our country, to steer the ship of the nation and to deliver on all promises that were made.
“I am here still making that pledge of the campaign promises. There's no difference between us and any other member of the Nigerian public. I said it in France, that we are children of the same parents, living in the same house, but we are only sleeping in different bedrooms. Just recognize that.
“Let's be united, no distractions. We will arrive at a positive destination in the country. It's all in our hands to make history and I will do that. By the grace of God, we shall reap the fruits of our labour. Nigeria will see positive changes.”
Speaking on the purpose of his visit , Tinubu said, he only wanted to sneak in and sneak out, stating that now he knows what it means to be the President.
He maintained that the hope for a better Nigeria has been recharged and it will not fail.
“I was determined to be here to say thank you to a great leader, Oba Gbadebo and to all of us here present.
“Aremo ( Olusegun Osoba) well done; Dimeji Bankole, well done, (Ibikunle) Amosun, well done. Chairman of our party, I'm grateful, at least, we delivered despite the hardship of no money, no fuel; I credit you.
“This visit, I didn't know that it will be like this. I only wanted to sneak in and sneak out; now I know exactly what it is to be a president. It is awesome.
“The hope is recharged right here. That hope will never fail. That hope will recharge your light.
“Please, we need your prayers, we need your supports, we need your interventions so that the economic prosperity of this nation being opened up will affect everyone of you positively,” the President submitted.
In separate remarks at the palaces of the Paramount ruler of Ijebuland and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State thanked the President for the visit to the State, describing him as a man of uncommon grace and a living testimony of resilience.
Chronicling the President’s antecedents as a visionary politician, the governor said the pronouncement of President Tinubu in the first few weeks in office had defined him as rightly prepared and qualified for office.
Oba Adetona and Oba Gbadebo, in separate remarks in their palaces, commended President Tinubu for his leadership, acknowledging him as an instrument of God chosen to rectify past shortcomings.
They offered prayers for the President’s guidance and good health, urging Nigerians to support his administration.
Also speaking, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Akaraigbo of Remoland, who commended the President for starting his administration exceptionally well, noted that the people need urgent palliatives to mitigate the effects of the current challenges.
He lauded the wise decisions so far taken by the administration, reminding the President of his promise to bring development to Remo.
”I remember when you came to the palace and all we said is our dream is for you to go and win the primaries, and that once you win the primaries, I’m sure that God will take us there. I’m glad that God took us there.
”I want to remind you of what you said when you came to Remo. You said with the proximity of Sagamu to Lagos, you were surprised at the level of development in Remo. This is the time Mr President to walk that talk,” he said.
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