Speeches

70th Birthday Celebration Of Chief Adebisi Akande

Jan 14, 2009 - One of the difficulties usually encountered when speaking or writing about great men is choosing a topic. The temptation to make the remark or speech all inclusive is usually the greatest hindrance and in the case of Chief Akande, it is doubly so because every aspect that makes up this man of many parts is a topic in itself.

I have, therefore chosen guidance from Norman Collie, the famous British Scientist and writer of the late 19th Century, who observed in his book, that “every man has one thing he can do better than others and that is reading his own handwriting”.

If there is one thing that Chief Akande has shown that he can do best, it is leadership. His style of politics, which made him a choice for the governorship candidacy of Osun State in 1999 and has now propelled him to the pinnacle of leadership of the Action Congress, is both unique and exceptional.

But, perhaps, the best legacy Chief Akande left for the people of Osun State were the several books he produced which contain what he called his blueprint for governance. Such books as “A Fresh Start in Osun State”, “Moving Osun State To Prosperity”, “The Inner Minds”, among others, and the “Drama of Fate” ,stand today as testimony that Chief Akande did not only want to make impact in the lives of Osun people, he also ensured that there would be continuity of good governance when he quits the scene. They encapsulate all that successive governors of the State need to know to enable them deliver good governance to the people.

He left behind his experiences, documented as references of hindsights to provide insights in order to enhance foresights. They encapsulated all that successive Governors of Osun State need to know to enable them deliver good governance to the people.

When the will of the people was subverted in the 2003 general elections and he was contrived out of office he chose to be a Statesman to propagate democracy.

He along with other progressives went back to the drawing board, re-strategized and before long, came out with a package that much later gave birth to the Action Congress.

He demonstrated that he was not desperate for office but was passionate about service and has showed until he recently became the Action Congress that you do not need a title to serve.

On Progressive Politics, Chief Akande has this to say, “In progressive governance, you don’t think of yourself at all, you don’t think of building additional houses, buying new cars or things like that. You think of how you can spread education to your people, how to make health services generally available to your people, how to improve employment; enhance the environment and things like that. That is the purpose of progressive governance”.

He has this to say of militarized politics, even though he has cause to be critical of the military, “I support the theory that everybody with military antecedents who wants to be in politics should start from the various assemblies because politics means discussion and not command”.

Chief Akande is today the National Leader of our great party, the Action Congress, not by accident or by any act of manipulation but by merit and by dint of hard work. He has, in more ways than can be enumerated in this short remark, aptly demonstrated quality and well focused leadership, especially, in relation to and in relationship with the other political parties.

Indeed his leadership of our Party adds very little to his intimidating achievements; rather, his integrity and style of politics have been the nourishers for the ideas and culture of debate that have strengthened our Party. His leadership style of constructive engagement rather than confrontation has inspired us all to perform at equally exceptional levels.

As this great icon of our Nation marches through three score and then ten years, he deserves every accolade and every kind word said of him because he has shown us selflessness, character, courage and compassion. He has showed his measure as a man whose comforts mean nothing to him at times of great crises, challenges and controversies. He has showed that it is great to be simple. He has also shown that he is not just a man of success but a man of values.

Happy Birthday, Baba omo kee ki kee, many happy returns, my great Chairman may your shadow never grow less my leader.

Long Live a true Nigerian Patriot.

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHJOLA (SAN)
GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE