Marwa, in Ibadan, seeks support for democracy
From Iyabo Sotunde,
Ibadan
IT was a carnival-like occasion reminiscent of a political rally as an award ceremony held in Ibadan yesterday turned out to be one in which supporters of the former Lagos State Administrator Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) campaigned for his yet-to-be- declared presidential bid in 2007.
Marwa who was one of the awardees, however,` walked a cautious path by not making any categorical statement on his ambition. Rather, he called on Nigerians to continue to support democracy and to always vote for credible leaders.
Marwa held up the ceremony for about an hour though his supporters comprising students from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo as well as the Hausa community and women organisations had already filled the hall canvassing support for the erstwhile military governor.
His posters "Marwa 2007" littered the city while caps, calendars and newspapers listing the former governor's achievements were given as souvenirs to the audience.
By the time he eventually arrived at Mapo Hall in a convoy of over 50 vehicles, the city hall and its environs stood still and many rushed to the venue to catch a glimpse of the ceremony.
Singing songs such as on bo o Mawa bo, Atunluse Nigeria, on bo (Marwa, the nation's redeemer is here, Marwa is not a stooge, he is our man), Marwa's supporters danced round the metropolis, enjoining the people to cast their votes wisely and make the right choice.
The former governor, who received the grand award for Good Leadership and Outstanding Service to Humanity, expressed appreciation to the organisers of the event particularly the presence of a galaxy of people who had come to honour the event.
While declaring his great respect for the Yoruba whom "I have worked for, worked with and will be working with," Marwa admonished them to continue to support democratic rule and let it grow.
Said he: "I urge you all to continue to support democracy and let it grow. The best way to enjoy democratic dividends is to nurture it, there is no alternative to democracy."
Speaking on the 2007 elections, Marwa called on the people to elect those who are credible with high sense of justice and fair-play, humane, sincere, hardworking and who have done it before and excelled.
Fellow awardee and former Minister of Justice during the Second Republic, Chief Richard Akinjide who received the "Outstanding Service to Humanity Award" alongside others, in his remarks pledged his continued contribution to the development of Ibadan, Oyo State and the nation at large.
While preaching peace among the various ethnic groups, Akinjide pointed out that without peace, there cannot be development and democracy, which is the best form of government. His words: "I feel highly honoured and delighted by this award and I will continue to contribute my quota towards the development of the nation. We should all be patriotic and live in peace. Democracy is the best form of government, human beings have not been able to invent anything better."
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs. Yinka Ladoja, commended the "Caring Heart Foundation programme for the honour accorded them and pledged their continued support.
She also solicited support of philanthropists and corporate bodies in the funding and caring for the less-privileged in the society.
Earlier, the National President of the foundation, Mrs. Bola Doherty, explained that the award was instituted to give recognition and bring into prominence the philanthropic and humanitarian activities of some Nigerians.
Besides, she pointed out that the aim of the foundation was to ensure the encouragement and appreciation of the structures and personalities participating in these honourable ventures so that their sustenance can be maintained and enhanced.
The award ceremony since its debut five years ago, according to Doherty, was held only twice in London and New York, the reason being the desire of the organisers to bring it to Nigeria since the recipients even in the foreign countries were Nigerians.
Prof. G.B. Ogunmola, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science who chaired the occasion, preached peace among the people while urging our leaders to be tolerant of others.
