After a month’s sojourn outside the shores of the country, president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday returned to Nigeria, saying he was strong, hale, hearty and ready to serve the country.
Tinubu had jetted out of the country on March 21 to Paris on a vacation after what his campaign team described as an arduous campaign and election season.
Although the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential media team had issued a statement noting expressly that he was heading to Paris to take a rest before proceeding to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj, Tinubu’s health condition became a subject of concern after the rumour was set on the overdrive with speculations that he was receiving medical attention at undisclosed health facility abroad.
But putting a lie to rumours about his health, the president elect whose private jet touched ground at exactly 4.30pm urged Nigerians to ignore such news, just as he said he was glad to be back home to face the task of governance after a month’s vacation in Paris, France.
He told party supporters on arrival that having rested well and refreshed, he was prepared for the task ahead.
Dispelling rumours of ill health, Tinubu said, “Forget about what the rumour mill may have told you. I’m strong, very strong.”
On his plans for Nigeria, Tinubu said he had been consulting and planning with a view to putting together a strong team so he could hit the ground running once he assumes office on May 29.
The president-elect arrived at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in a private jet accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and son, Seyi.
Clad in a flowing blue agbada, Tinubu who the February 25, 2023, presidential election, arrived at the waiting hands of a tumultuous crowd of party leaders, members of APC National Working Committee (NWC), governors, National Assembly members and other well-wishes.
Also on ground to receive the president-elect was a mammoth crowd of enthusiastic associates and supporters who thronged the presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, where his plane touched down.
Amidst cheers from party faithful, Tinubu headed straight to his vehicle after a brief stop over to acknowledge the crowd of supporters who besieged the Airport to welcome him.
Among those at the airport to receive him were Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as well as Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger), former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff.
Also at the airport were former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Deputy National Chairman, South, Barrister Emma Enekwu, and national woman leader, Dr. Betta Edu.
There were also Senators Barau Jibril, Adeola Olamilekan Yahyi, Opeyemi Bamidele, Dayo Adeyeye, Sabi Abdullahi and Adelere Oriolowo as well as Secretary of the recently-dissolved Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. James Faleke, Hon. Babajimi Benson and Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Director of media and publicity in the dissolved Presidential Campaign Council.
‘Surround Yourself With Competent, Like-minded People’
Meanwhile, the Chief Missioner of Nasrul-lahi-l-fatih Society (NASFAT), Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, has advised Tinubu to select competent and sincere individuals and people of like minds to run his administration with him.
Onike who stated this in his 1444/2023 eid-ul fitr message said the Noble Prophet emphasises the essence of a good companionship,
“Narrated Abu Musa: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace); from the first (friend) you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof,” he stated .
He added that the choice of ministers, advisers, among others, could make or mar the incoming administration’s goals.
Quoting an Arab proverb, Onike said, “Choose) the friend before (choosing) the road”, just as he prayed Allah to guide the President-Elect in choosing right associates.
The chief missioner also implored the president-elect to make deliberate efforts and be highly intentional in healing the wounds of ethnic and religious bigotry introduced into the recently concluded elections by some self-seeking politicians.
“Never again should Nigerians allow divisive tendencies to be implanted into Nigerian politicking. We have always been defined by religious tolerance, while divide and rule tactics are not in our dictionary,” he said.
He also advised Muslims that their success in doing a lot of good deeds and shunning vices during Ramadan showed that the seemingly angelic acts could continue after Ramadan.
“The holy scripture says, “and worship your Lord until the last moment (of your life) that will most certainly come (Q15:99),” he added.
Onike advised Muslim faithful to be conscious of the spirit of Eid-ul fitr, which inter alia are to praise Allah for successful ending of Ramadan, to share and demonstrate brotherhood via the vehicle of zakat-ul fitr etc.
He further prayed Allah to continue to make peace, tranquility and mutual love reign supreme in Nigeria.
