Baba Akande taught me honesty, perseverance resource management – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening, January 16, showered encomiums on elder statesman and his age-long ally, Chief Bisi Akande, describing him as an epitome of forgiveness, candour and reliability.

President Tinubu praised the former Osun state governor and pioneer Interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at a dinner hosted in celebration of Chief Akande’s 85th birthday anniversary at the Old Banquet Hall of State House, Abuja.

The president went further to paint a very personal image of the relationship he has with Baba Akande when he disclosed that the octogenarian taught him the virtues of perseverance, patience, honesty and management of resources.

He said: “We the younger ones are very lucky to have you. You deserve to be celebrated. Anyone who wants to learn forgiveness, candour and reliability should see Chief Bisi Akande.

“You’re a father to many and you’ve lived a life worthy of emulation…You taught me perseverance, patience, honesty and management of resources, be it human and capital resources.

“Thank you because of who you are and what we are today.”

Tinubu told Akande: “I stand before you today as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You know how many times and for how long we spoke truth to power. We deliberated on how to take the cuff off of this nation.

“You kept telling me, be patient, forget the past, keep looking forward. Today, I am not looking at the past but looking forward.”

On his part, the former Osun State Governor described Tuesday night’s dinner as a surprise gesture from the first family, thanking the President and his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu.

“Yesterday evening when I got to Ibadan ready for today’s celebration there, because I wanted an educational talk, they said we were going to talk about leadership, I was happy.

“Early in the morning someone called me to say, have I seen what baba sent to me? I said ‘no.’ So I opened my phone. It was an invitation for this dinner.

“Like I felt when I was celebrated at 70, so I felt this morning and here we are. I don’t know what you see in me, and I don’t know what younger people see in older people, but I will attend your 100th birthday. Thank you very much for being a loyal friend,” said Akande.

“You know how many times and for how long we spoke truth to power. We deliberated on how to take the cuff off of this nation.