Former Enugu state governor, Sen Chimaroke Nnamani has disclosed that the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu’s reforms and mentorship as governor of Lagos State from 1999- 2007 transformed the state.

He described Tinubu as a great mentor who has guided numerous mentees from various states, from political boyhood to political adulthood in his capacity as a political mentor.

The former governor, in a statement in Abuja said that Tinubu has repeatedly proven himself to be a professional politician and the greatest political leader and mentor; who built the necessary bridges, paid his dues, and nurtured political heavyweights.

The statement reads: “Before I talk about the leadership and mentoring philosophies of the governors from the class of 1999, I want to first shed some important insight on what political leadership and mentoring is all about, as opposed to godfatherism, which has been the norm for teeming youths. We must understand that effective leadership requires a variety of abilities.

“A successful leader, according to Thomas Paine, is one who understands when to take the initiative, follow others and step aside. Successful strategic plans for the present and future are created by competent leaders who build a shared vision for the future, they discuss how to get what is required while also taking into account what is desired.

“A competent leader develops support for their plans in order to involve people and groups in the decision-making and policy-enactment processes.

“Similar to how different organizations require different kinds of leaders tailored to their needs, local, state, and federal governments require political leaders who can translate divergent viewpoints and conflicting interests into laws and practices that to advance equality and opportunity for all.

“People are believed to follow a leader who will take them where they want to go, but a competent leader will also take them to where they should go.

“I can’t help but feel that when Tinubu and his Transition Working Group began what will be remembered as Nigeria’s largest political reform, which elevated Lagos State to one of the biggest economic centers in Africa, the majority of residents of Lagos State did not envision the city as it is today after living through three decades of military rule, during which they witnessed first hand a crumbling health system, collapsing school buildings, poor social services, and the rest.

“The city-boy substantially enhanced the lives of individuals who reside in Lagos State with his visionary reforms in the health, school, justice, works, and infrastructure sectors, which we have reviewed in the past weeks.

“Tinubu has guided numerous mentees from various states from political boyhood to political adulthood in his capacity as a political mentor. A trait transformational leaders like Tinubu and the class of 1999 governors have. Tinubu mentees have gone on to hold various leadership positions in Nigeria.

“But we cannot discuss some of his mentees who he has been nurtured from political boyhood to adulthood without mentioning our very own Anambra Son, Ben Akabueze, whom Tinubu influenced his appointment as the commissioner for economic planning and budget in Lagos state after seeing his achievements as the CEO of NAL Bank Plc, (now Sterling Bank Plc).

“Ben Akabueze, a well-known chartered accountant through Tinubu rose through the ranks to become the Director General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Budget Office.

“Currently serving as Nigeria’s Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare of Oyo State served as Tinubu’s special adviser on media.

“After eight years as governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, who also served as Lagos State commissioner for works under Tinubu, is currently Nigeria’s Minister of Interior.The philosopher king and consummate intellectual former Governor of Ekiti state Kayode Fayemi will always come to mind.

“Similarly, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, who was Tinubu’s chief of staff, before serving as Lagos State governor, is currently the Minister for Works and Housing, while the current governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, served as Tinubu’s commissioner for commerce. Tinubu’s first Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Lagos state then, Alhaji Lai Mohammed from Kwara state is currently serving as Minister for Information and Culture.

“While The Right Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila, Current Speaker of the House of Representatives, was first elected to the House in 2003 courtesy of Tinubu.

“Don’t forget, our own Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, served as Lagos State attorney general and commissioner for justice during Tinubu’s tenure.

“While leaders in comfortable conditions offer an even easier life whether they can provide it or not, revolutionary situations like the fight for Nigeria’s democracy prior to 1999 forged exceptional leaders like Tinubu and many others who demand great work ethics, confidence and ‘can do spirit’.

“Because of Tinubu’s mentoring philosophy and motivation to finding the best brains from wherever to complete the required job, Lagos State is what it is today.

“In today’s political sphere, our inability to distinguish between confidence and competence, our attraction to charismatic people, and our inability to withstand the allure of narcissistic people have led several nations to elect individuals with no background in politics to the highest office in their various countries, thereby turning a bad situation worse.

Nigeria’s current dispensation Nnamani opined calls for ready and experienced hands like Tinubu and not beginners to lead the nation to greater heights.

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani MD, FACOG
Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation & Integration in Africa/NEPAD.

ganisucks:
This looks to me like a homosexual love letter. Journalists should look into the relationship between both men. There's something gaybriel sinister about both men.

LeoDeKing:

Same thing on my mind regarding relationship between pandora Obituary and the weird creature called Charly boy

ganisucks:

President Obi and Charly boy are both from Anambra, so there's a connection. What's the connection between Chimaroke and Tinubu.

PrinceOfLagos:
Go and collect your own money and lock up

Una Sha wan empty Tinubu pocket this election period

I hope baba no collapse after election result is announced and he's not the winner

PrinceOfLagos:
Go and collect your own money and lock up

Una Sha wan empty Tinubu pocket this election period

I hope baba no collapse after election result is announced and he's not the winner

nazicartel:
they are not from the same state nah. Oputa is from imo state or so

ganisucks:

President Obi and Charly boy are both from Anambra, so there's a connection. What's the connection between Chimaroke and Tinubu.

Dapson73:





Only outdated people endorsed Pandora.


Proof me wrong by mentioning few current champions who is backing him.

LeoDeKing:

You mean same connection that can't exist between pandora Obituary and charlse Soludo even though they are both from anambra and both became governor on same APGA?

Maxymilliano:
Greatest mentor in forfeiting stolen wealth to America government abi

LeoDeKing:

At least, he has dignity and doesn't eat his vomitous.

PrinceOfLagos:
Gbenu'e soun

ganisucks:


You just proved why President Obi will win. APC supporters are banking on the influence of tata politicians who just learnt to cut their teeth. People who were no where in the noughties.

KingKO22:
Cityboy is coming
Vote wisely

Dapson73:


What are you talking?

ganisucks:

I'm saying the guys you rely on have no influence whatsoever.

ganisucks:

President Obi and Charly boy are both from Anambra, so there's a connection. What's the connection between Chimaroke and Tinubu.

ganisucks:

President Obi and Charly boy are both from Anambra, so there's a connection. What's the connection between Chimaroke and Tinubu.

Dapson73:




You are derailing from my earlier comment , I asked you to mention one current political relevance individual supporting Obi aspiration publicly.