OGD urges support for confab FORMER Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has called on Nigerians to support the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to convey a national conference. Daniel, who spoke at the weekend in Lagos at the public presentation of a book, Challenges of Development: A compendium of speeches of Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI, said there is need for all and sundry to shun ethnic or political differences and support the president in his boldness to set up committee for the long over due national dialogue. “I call on Nigerians to support our President Jonathan, who in his own unique way demonstrated capacity and exhibited courage and knowledge. The planned national conference is an issue that all men and women of big wigs have been clamouring for across all political, religious and ethnic divides. The move for national dialogue is also based on a popular notion that ‘it is better to jawjaw than to war-war’ especially in a democratic setting. Let us all cease this opportunity to express ourselves and hopefully improve the performance of our constitutional revolution,” Daniel said. The book launch where many national officers of the Labour Party were represented also had in attendance Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Sola Ebiseni, who represented Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Other dignitaries included former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Musiliu Obanikoro, former Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Kehinde Shogunle, Prof. Yinusa Ogunleye, Chief Iyabo Apanpa, Chief Kola Ogunjobi and Mr. Sina Kawonishe. Daniel criticised the state government which he said is awarding contracts to foreigners without investing in the state. “Though people say I am an Ambassador of the Republic of China because of the way we make friendship with them, but I must say that there are ways you can bring the best out of China. “In eight years of my administration, I am happy to say it that we brought quite a number of Chinese to invest in Ogun State with thousands of our people employed, but the Ijebu-man in me did not allow me to give a single contract to them but they brought their money to invest in the state. Today, they are taking all major contracts but not bringing any investment.” According to Daniel, “Isiaka falls into the category of professionals in politics, having carved the niche for himself in the financial sector before he was invited into our government and later became the pioneer Managing Director of Gateway Holdings Limited where he used his professional experience to turn around the investment of Ogun State into an enviable one today.” Speaking to journalists after the event, Isiaka blamed the problem facing Nigeria economy on the people whom he said needed to cultivate the mind to challenge the leaders whenever they notice things are not being done the way they ought to be done.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:20:41 +0000
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