Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has described President Goodluck Jonathan as a listening leader, saying he demonstrated this recently with the reduction of tuition fee at all the federal institutions to a maximum of N15,000.
George said this yesterday, while receiving the Mandela Icon Award bestowed on him by the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS and the fund raising for the flag off of Students and Youth Coalition for Jonathan 2015 in Lagos.

He said: “It is the leadership that listens to the voice of the people that is invariably etched in progressive relevance. It is the leadership that gauges the moral bearing of the people that endures in transformative energy and purposefulness.”

On the award, which he is the first recipient; George said that he is passionately swayed by the Mandela Philosophy of forgiveness and reconciliation, saying it is a healthy, fruitful vision of leadership.

George said the great Mandela sought neither vengeance nor retribution for the forces of evil, saying in the same vein, though he was not detained by the virulent evil of those who sought to destroy him but he is not hindered by the bitterness of the past.

He said: “We must continue to exist in harmony and friendship across cultural and ethnic lines. We must frown upon bitterness and ethnic prejudice. We must continue with the remarkable spirit of accord and reconciliation which was achieved at the recently concluded national conference.

Speaking on the choice of George for the award, the NANS Coordinator for South West, Comrade Adio Kayode Odunjo said like Mandela, George suffered incarceration unjustly.

He also commended George, describing him as a source of inspiration for students and the younger generation.

Co-chairman of the occasion and former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, commended George for his spirit of forgiveness, saying that under his leadership, the PDP will produce the next governor of Lagos State.

He said President Jonathan remain the candidate to beat in next year’s presidential election, saying he has done greatly well.

The occasion which was chaired by Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, also had in attendance former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and the South-West Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Ishola Filani among others.

For fielding Omisore, PhD as your flag bearer in Osun elections? For releasing you from Prison and appointing you as Deputy a Chairman in SW? For reducing tuition abi? Politicians and their local thoughts ....less of superior arguments.

yes he listen to people who that will destroy him.

Toosure70: yes he listen to people who that will destroy him.

If you had listened to him you'd have finished your education....just saying.