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And Sanwo-Olu Makes His first Mistake?
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By Eric Elezuo
The best footballers are always those watching from the stands or from their living rooms via cable transmission. These set of people know exactly what a particular player should do or should have done with the ball at any point in time. They know the moves that should result to goals and are quick to heap abuses and insults on the footballers for any slip, no matter how inconsequential. But give this group an opportunity to play the actual game, you will be amazed at the height of their folly. This describes the fact that there is a difference between the game outside and the actual game.
Having said that, it is imperative to recall that not long ago, the governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, supposedly played to the gallery, as believed in some quarters, when he informed a set of audience that he would fix permanently the dreaded Apapa gridlock within the first two months of his administration – 60 days in his exact words. Yes, there is nothing wrong with making promises or setting targets for yourself as regards a particular assignment, but the seasoned technocrat should have been guided by precedence as well as the situational variables at work before making such a lofty promise.
Every Lagosian understands how hungry Sanwo-Olu is to make a difference considering the great standard his predecessors vis a vis Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, who is billed to leave office in a couple of days, have set. This is even considering the circumstance surrounding his emergence as his party’s flag bearer in spite of Ambode. The party leadership roundly rejected Ambode, paving the way for Sanwo-olu. At this point, Sanwo-Olu feels he needs to prove a point, but has he done it the right way with the 60 days target of revamping the Apapa gridlock, which has defiled all known solutions so far.
Has Sanwo-Olu consulted the likes of Fashola and his would-be immediate predecessor, Ambode, to find out the situation that assaulted their breakthrough in that regard? Has he done a thorough preliminary or feasibility study of the situation to decide the timing of action and completion?
He would not have made a mistake if by a dint of hard work or stroke of luck he succeeds – the applaud will be loud and sharp. But should he fail; the jeers will last him a lifetime and make a mess of his four years administration. He would spent the rest of his days explaining the whys and hows of the failure. Ask Fashola how he is fairing with the unguarded statement of 2014 that “any serious government will fix the power situation within six months”. No matter how hard he tries to keep a straight face or defend his statement and actions, deep down in his heart, he knows he shouldn’t have said that, and of course he has learnt his nations.
Sanwo-Olu’s zeal to serve the people Lagos State is very obvious and commendable, but common sense demands that he should have kept the timing close to his chest, face the challenge headlong and surmount it without pressure from any quarters. Of course, he is going to be under serious pressure now.
He is already the governor-in-waiting, and has no reason to play to the gallery for anyone to dance or make any political statement – the campaign seasons are over.
Now you have said it sir, it imperative you prove as many that thinks you have made a mistake wrong. Let the Apapa gridlock be the first in your priority list. In fact, whatever plans you have should hit the ground running very early on Thursday, May 30, 2019.
May this utterance not be counted as a mistake against you by July 30, 2019 when 60 days would have elapsed. Nigerians don’t forget!
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed relief and joy over the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
“It is such a big relief for all of us. Right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much,” the governor told Channels Television.
President Bola Tinubu has also expressed delight over the successful rescue of abducted children and teachers, commending the military, the DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force for ending their 56-day captivity.
The President said the security operation led to the arrest of eight suspected abductors while several others were neutralised, describing the outcome as a major relief for the victims, their families and the nation.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the security agencies for what he described as their tireless efforts in securing the victims’ release.
He also sympathised with the children, teachers and their families over the trauma they endured during the prolonged ordeal
The President further commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
President Tinubu also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care and relief support as they recover from the ordeal.
The schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued after about 56 days in captivity.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the victims were freed through the efforts of security agencies.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said.
He disclosed that eight members of the kidnapping gang were arrested during the rescue operation and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Onanuga said the rescue operation did not involve any exchange or concession to the kidnappers, noting that a notorious gang leader whose release had been demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is being prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
He added that security agencies would provide a full account of the operation soon.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, a kingpin whose release was demanded by the kidnappers, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon,” he added.
In a video shared alongside the statement, a woman believed to be one of the rescued teachers was seen thanking President Bola Tinubu for securing their release. The schoolchildren were also seen eating biscuits and joining the teacher in chanting, “Thank you, sir,” at the end of her remarks.
“Hello sir, our father, we are grateful. Mr President, sir, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us. We could see your hand in this. Thank you very much. Every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are still alive today. We are very grateful to you. Thank you very much,” the teacher said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, held a closed-door meeting with Nigeria’s Security Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the Federal government reviewed the worsening security situation across the country.
The meeting focused on a comprehensive assessment of security challenges and developments across various theatres of operation.
Among those in attendance were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye.
Also present were the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.) alongside other security officials.
The meeting came 48 hours after troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, supported by the Air Component of the Joint Task Force (North West), foiled what the military described as a major planned terrorist offensive in Zamfara State and Katsina.
According to the military, the operation, carried out on July 7, involved three Nigerian Air Force aircraft that tracked a convoy of about 300 heavily armed terrorists travelling on motorcycles from the Sunke-Kumbo axis towards Gummi before launching precision airstrikes on the convoy.
The outcome of Thursday’s security meeting was not immediately disclosed, but it comes amid growing concerns over persistent attacks by terrorists, bandits, and other armed groups in several parts of the country.
