…commends Tinubu’s efforts in re-engineering Nigeria

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Senator representing Ogun East and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has disclosed that the people of Remo in Ogun State have dropped the agitation of their pursuit of creation of a Remo State, but rather prefer to team up with their Ijebu kinsmen in actualizing the creation Ijebu Remo State out of the present Ogun State.

Daniel, also commended President Bola Tinubu-led federal government’s efforts towards enshrine good governance and make life better for Nigerians with different economic reforms and policies.

Daniel stated these at his 4th Asiwaju of Remo Christians Choir Festival, held at Abraham’s Tabernacle Ecumenical Worship Centre, Sagamu, on Sunday.

The Senator announced that the people of Remo have agreed to go with their Ijebu kinsmen, once their culture and identity will not be swallowed under the guise of state creation.

He added that the Remo people have therefore demanded that the new state should be called Ijebu- Remo State just like it is in the case of Akwa-Ibom State.

Speaking on the state of the nation, Daniel said rather than focusing on the discomfort that might have come with lots of courageous economic reforms embarked upon by President Tinubu, Nigerians should focus on the outcome of the reforms and the tremendous progress being made by the present administration

He noted that President Tinubu is embarking on lots of quiet revolution to enhance national stability, good governance and shared prosperity, urging Nigerians to also lend their support to build a nation we can all be proud of.

Daniel said that while people may tend to be talking about some little challenges that have come with the steps taken to re-engineer governance in the country, it is also always good to remind the people of the exciting and desired progress made by President Tinubu.

“For instance for some years now, the local government that are the closest to the people are not functional, they were not funded and could not do anything to improve the life of the people at the grassroots, but in the last few months and with efforts of President Tinubu, all of these are changing, money is now being released to our local governments.

“Similarly, sometimes last year, we started an experiment on the Development Commissions. When we started this process, many thought that it was not going to happen, but today the President has assented to this bill establishing the Southwest Development Commission.

“What this means is that aside from the federal, the state and the local governments, we now have a quasi-regional government and when you look at what the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo did when we had regional government, then you can begin to appreciate the strategic direction of Mr. President”.

Daniel said due to the subsidy removal, the monthly allocation accruing to each state of the federation has significantly increased and that when the newly assented bill on tax reforms becomes operational next year, each state might be getting four or five times of its present allocation.

He commended the ten participating choirs for their display of musical talent, saying that he was moved to start the competition about 20 years ago to principally return all adoration to God and also develop act of worship and singing in the church.

In his remarks at the concert, the Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi who commend Daniel for being fair with the state creation struggle, however said that Remo is not fighting Ijebu over state creation.

Oba Ajayi said that what the Remo people were only saying was that they should not be trampled upon and that the state creation should also factor in their identity.

The special guest of honour at the event, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State represented by his deputy, Dr. Olaide Adelani lauded Daniel for investing in efforts tailored towards bringing people closer to God through act of worship.

Singinspiration Chorale, Onitsha, Anambra State clinched the N5m star prize of the musical concert, Messiah Chorale from Ile Ife, Osun State came second and got N3.5m while De Emerald Chorale from Akure, Ondo State capital, came third winning N2.5m.