Daniel Applauds Tinubu’s Economic Reforms, Calls for Sustained Development
Daniel Applauds Tinubu’s Economic Reforms, Calls for Sustained Development
The Senator representing Ogun East and former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Sunday, commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in promoting good governance and improving the lives of Nigerians.
Daniel urged citizens to look beyond the initial discomfort caused by some of the bold economic reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration and instead focus on the long-term benefits and significant progress being achieved.
He also revealed that the people of Remo land have decided to shelve their push for a separate Remo State and will now collaborate with their Ijebu counterparts in the pursuit of creating an Ijebu-Remo State from Ogun State.
The Senator made these remarks at the fourth edition of the Asiwaju of Remo Christians Choir Festival, which he sponsored. The event was held at the Abraham’s Tabernacle Ecumenical Worship Centre in Sagamu.
Daniel said that while people may tend to be talking about some little challenges that have come with the steps taken to reengineer governance in the country, it is also always good to remind the people of the exciting and desired progress being made under Tinubu.
He said, “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, with the 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 government, 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 allocation accruing monthly to each state of the federation has significantly jumped up and that when the newly assented bill on tax reforms becomes operational next year, each state might be getting four or five times its present allocation.
The senator said that President Tinubu is embarking on lots of quiet revolutions 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
Speaking on the agitation for the creation of a new state from Ogun State, Daniel announced that the people of Remo have agreed to go with their Ijebu kinsmen if 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.
Daniel hailed all 10 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 acts 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 hailed Daniel for being fair with the state creation struggle, however, said that Remo is not fighting Ijebu over state creation.
Oba Ajayi emphasized that the call from the Remo people is not one of conflict but a plea for recognition, stating that any state creation process should take their identity into account and ensure they are not sidelined.
The special guest of honour at the event, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy, Dr. Olaide Adelani, praised Senator Gbenga Daniel for his dedication to fostering spiritual growth by supporting initiatives that bring people closer to God through worship.
At the musical concert, Singinspiration Chorale from Onitsha, Anambra State, emerged as the winner of the N5 million grand prize. Messiah Chorale from Ile Ife, Osun State, secured second place with a N3.5 million reward, while De Emerald Chorale from Akure, the Ondo State capital, took third place and received N2.5 million.
