16th January, 2015
Henry Ojelu
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate and Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie have declared that Nigeria needs responsible leadership that can deliver the social goods.
They spoke alongside other eminent personalities at the eleventh annual lecture and second conferment of award in honour of late Fawehinmi held at Oromiyan hall of Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
Prof. Osinbajo, in his remarks after being conferred with the Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch alongside late Bamidele Aturu, said that there is no doubt that Nigerians want a change from what is presently obtained.
The former Lagos APC Vice Presidential candidate who was speaking of his experience on the field since the campaign commenced, said it was unfortunate that the nation has failed to a point that people no longer believe she could be resuscitated.
He said we cannot afford a situation where our country has no option.
“What we have seen going round the country is that the Nigerian people are so articulate about what they want and are very clear about what is wrong.
“There is no question that people are looking for responsible leadership that could deliver the social goods and responsible leadership means transparent leadership”.
Osinbajo supported the views expressed by Dr. Zaid Timilehin, one of the guest lecturers that the change people are looking for was not about ethnicity or religion.
He emphasized that what should be done as a nation is to choose who would represent us best irrespective of religion and ethnicity.
“And I believe very strongly that the time has come in this nation when change is not just possible but it may well be inevitable.
“So if we don’t bring about that change somehow, the people themselves will bring about the change”, he said.
The chairman of the occasion, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie in his remarks said that there was an urgent need to rescue Nigeria.
“This is the time when every right thinking Nigerian must pray to hate the present situation strong enough, such as to desire the fortitude to act right.
“This time does not allow for indifference. All must rise to save Nigeria from the imminent brink of irredeemable destruction.
“This is the time when only the only currency allowed is truth. This is also the time to wake up from slumber and face reality.
“This is the time we must play the politics of the best, for the best position in order to guarantee the best for our nation”, Okogie stated.
“Let only those with the fear of God and love of their neighbours rule Nigeria; only those who know what to do should sit at helms of affairs. Enough of mediocrity, enough of failures, enough of nepotism, enough of ethnicity”, Okogie further admonished Nigerians.
Lagos lawyer and activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) who reviewed a book, “Stand Up For What is Right” published by the NBA, Ikeja in honour of Fawehinmi described the peace accord entered into on Wednesday night in Abuja by the presidential aspirants of various political parties as waste of time.
“The event was a waste of time as none of those who signed the peace accord could be made to account for any uprisings that may happen after the elections”, he said.
The erudite lawyer counseled that country should be concerned about ensuring that electoral offenders and those against the progress of Nigeria are prosecuted rather than signing an accord that would not work.
NBA Ikeja Branch Chairman, Yemi Farounbi in a welcome remark explained that Prof. Osinbajo was honoured not for his contributions for the branch but for what he has done for the administration of justice in Lagos state which in turn impacted positively on other states of the federation.
Farounbi explained that late Aturu on the other hand was honoured post-humously for having served the masses “even at the risk of his life” saying that he was a man common touch and somebody that should be emulated by lawyers.