27th September, 2017
A Non-Governmental Organisation comprising of artisans, political groups, youths operating under the aegis of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard have lauded the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode over the unveiling of a 20 feet statue to immortalize the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Lagos.
The group, which recently declared their support for Ambode re- election in the 2019 governorship election said that recognizing the contribution of the former Premier of Western region would help to raise more great leaders in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, the General Coordinator, Seyi Bamigbade, said the imposing iconic statue of the late sage and nationalist to appropriate auxiliary to the old Awolowo statue that was detached from the Allen Avenue round-about in Ikeja showed tactfulness of the present helmsman in the state.
“The Governor’s pledge to recognize the achievements of compatriots whose performances and principles were instrumental to making Lagos State in particular and the South-west region in general a formidable political and intellectual force within the Federal Republic of Nigeria is commendable.
“We are appreciating him too for honouring a flag-wavers and nationalist like Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose perfect influence to regional and nationwide development gave birtg to a new generation of focused and forward-looking politicians like the Governor himself,” he said.
He said the Awo’s bust symbolised and projected his true value and reminded visitors and history enthusiasts about the legacy of the foremost statesman apparent in Lagos State.
“Obafemi Awolowo was the first Premier of Western Region after playing a important part in Nigeria’s Liberation in 1960. He led what was observed as the most efficient Civil Service in West Africa, which led to the change of major sectors in Nigeria especially the Western region.
“His free education scheme in the region, which was first of its kind in Africa, remains a point of reference till date. It was the late politician that set up Nigeria’s first industrial complex and commercial housing estate in Ikeja, Lagos and Ibadan which has remained a sustainable driver of the region’s economy,” he stated.
Bamigbade appealed to Lagosians to support the programmes and policies of the governor for the continuity of making Lagos a tourists’ destination in the Africa sub-region.