Ambode performing despite huge debt, says Tinubu

• Why Asiwaju is a rare breed, by Aregbesola

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has commended Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for performing despite inheriting a huge debt.

Tinubu said he was initially afraid Ambode would not be able to deliver on his electoral promises because of the state’s huge debt burden at the time he won the election. Speaking at the commissioning of the bridge linking Aboru and Abesan and five adjoining roads, Lagos yesterday, Tinubu said that Ambode has continued to effectively perform.

He advised Ambode to ignore mischief-makers, criticising him of developing one area of the state to the detriment of other sections of the state: “If nobody complains about you as a politician, you are dead,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu expressed appreciation to Ambode for marking his birthday with the inauguration of a number of projects, saying he is elated about the gesture especially because it is in a community dubbed Tinubu’s country.

Governor Ambode said the projects inaugurated were parts of his administration’s drive of inclusiveness and not leaving anybody or location within the state out of development.

Ambode said exactly a year ago when he visited the community and saw the terrible state in which the road network was in, he was touched to do something immediately, which was why he asked the state Public Works department and contractors to move to site three weeks after his visit.

“Beyond this, we are very grateful to the contractor on this project, Engr. Olalekan Adebiyi, who has deemed it necessary to contribute to the healthcare of this community by donating a Primary Healthcare Centre to the Alimosho people. Thank you very much, Mr. Adebiyi.

“In addition to this, we are celebrating our mentor, a visionary leader, the brain behind the 21st century Lagos, His Excellency, the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu today. We have decided to honour him by commissioning the construction of a network of roads within the boundaries of Lagos and Ogun states.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has described Asiwaju Tinubu, as a rare breed and pathfinder.

Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, underscored Tinubu’s immense contributions to Nigeria and indeed Africa.

The statement noted that Lagos began to emerge as a truly habitable state after “Tinubu’s mega-development vision,” adding that the success story of Lagos has impacted on south west, Nigeria and indeed, Africa.

Aregbesola said Tinubu’s capacity for talent hunt and leadership recruitment are unparalleled, coupled with his unique ability to spot the best hands for crucial assignments have elevated him to that pedestal of rare leader of men.