Why I didn’t retire Arase –Buhari
— 24th June 2016
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday opened up on why he retained immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase.
Buhari, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,
Mr. Femi Adesina in Lagos said he retained Arase, not because of his
strategy and tactics as a police, but, because of Arase’s intellect and
capacity as an operation person.
The president spoke during the public presentaton of Cascade of Change…,
a book written by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and
Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.
Adesina, who spoke about the reaction of the immedite past IGP to a
farewell dinner the president held in his honour, said Arase had
expected to be sacked before the end of his tenure.
“Arase told the president it was very strange for him to have been
invited for a farewell dinner, because, what we know in Nigeria, is
that, you are sacked on the pages of newspapers.”
According to Adesina, Arase also had the fear that, since, he was
inherited by Buhari’s administration, he was not sure of being retained;
so, everyday, he had the trepediation he would hear he had been
removed.
But, quoting President Buhari on why he retained Arase till the end of
his tenure, Adesina said: “When it was the turn of the president to
speak, he explained why he kept Arase as IGP.
“He said he saw the quality of his mind and he saw the quality of
things, he had written. You know Arase has many publications to his
credit and he also saw his capacity as an operations person and he
decided to keep him till his tenure expired.”
The president’s aide told the gathering that Buhari appreciates sound
mind and intellect “and that shows the goodwill he has for Mr. Steve
Ayorinde, the author of the book.”
Adesina commended Ayorinde and urged Nigerians to emulate him and always contribute to knowledge.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has said his
administration will take the state to the next level, and make it a
globally competitive city-state.
“In the last one year, we have laid the foundation to make Lagos a
globally competitive city-state. In the coming years, we will build on
this foundation to move Lagos to the next level, a level of first class
infrastructure, services, economic growth and opportunities for all,” he
said.
Ambode, who noted that the state has the privilege of housing the
largest collection of media houses in Nigeria, canvassed support of
every journalist, editor, columnist and blogger in the development of
the state.
“Our government will always do its part and we call on the media to be
our partner as we build a Lagos State where everybody has a voice, a
chance and opportunities,” he said.
The governor commended Ayorinde, saying the publication will enhance
knowledge “as well as shed more light on issues of public discourse and
enrich policy design and implementation process.”
He appreciated Ayorinde’s contributions and participation as the
arrowhead of the media and strategy team during his gubernatorial
campaign.
“He represents a generation of conscious journalists who have committed
to working towards a better society. We are proud to have him in the
Lagos State Executive and he has been involved in various stages in the
implementation of our Change Agenda.
“He has deployed his professional skills, competence and experience in
promoting our socio-political reforms through a liberal and focused
policy implementation strategy.”
Chairman on the occasion and former governor of Ogun State, Aremo
Olusegun Osoba said in the last one year, Ambode has silently embarked
on massive transformation of the State. Osoba said he was happy that the
administration has continued in the tradition of excellence that the
state has always been known for. He alluded to the clearing of Falomo
Roundabout in Ikoyi, the ongoing dualisation of Epe-Ijebu Road, among
other infrastructural projects in the state.
Professor Pat Utomi, in his speech, recalled the early days of Ambode
in office and said he was initially miscontrued to lack the capacity to
lead the state, “but, in no time, he proved critics wrong.”
In her goodwill message, former managing director of Concord Newspapers,
Dr. Doyin Abiola said she was proud that Lagos has always been a centre
of excellence producing people of excellence.
“I have never met the governor and I have never had any discussion with
him but, from what he has been doing so far, it is clear that he was
prepared for the job and he has been moving from step to step. I have
always wondered how Lagos survived when the local government allocation
of the state was withheld by the Federal Government. I could not
understand it and it was said that governor Ambode successfully managed
the account of the state at that time and, so, I want to commend them
for the good works they are doing and urge them to continue,” she said.
Media personalities, who attended the ceremony included Eric Osagie,
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited,
Steve Nwosu, Deputy Managing Director and Executive Director, Bolaji
Tunji.
Others were the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists,
Mr. Waheed Odusile, Managing Director of New Telegraph, Mrs. Funke
Egbemode, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard Media, Gbenga
Adefaye, among other eminent Nigerians.
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