Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode’s comment on his predecessor and political godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu got guests cracking at the launch of the book “Africa Rise and Shine” written by the former Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, in Lagos.
The governor’s joke was perceived to be a strategy to douse the growing tension between him and Tinubu who is suspected to be supporting the aspiration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Managing Director of Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC) as against the governor who is desirous of a second term ticket of the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections.
At the book launch which was chaired by the elder statesman, Dr. Christopher Kolade and attended by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, among other dignitaries, Ambode said that he was not prepare to address the gathering since his political godfather had spoken glowingly about the author.
“Actually, I didn’t prepare to come and say anything here… And who am I to speak after the Jagaban had spoken?” He asked jocularly.
The audience responded by laughing with thunderous laughter and applause.
According to the governor, “There is nobody that will read this kind of book and will not be inspired and I want to recommend it to everyone.
“It is always very good when people who have been successful in their careers or profession decide to say something about how they really toiled to get to where they are.
“Some people just think people get to be successful without knowing that they actually toiled to become successful and this kind of book inspires our younger ones to become more resourceful and then more inspiring,” Governor Ambode said.
While urging Ovia to write more of such book, the governor said such was necessary to properly guide and inspire the younger generation and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The governor specifically commended the author for taking out time to write the book, saying Ovia’s contributions to the banking and accountancy professions could not be downplayed.
Governor Ambode, who is a former Accountant General in the State, said it was on record that Ovia contributed significantly to the successes he recorded in office at the time.
Extolling Ovia’s virtues, the Governor said: “Obviously, the truth is there is no person that has actually gone through the profession of accountancy that would not have had something to do with Jim Ovia.
“If you are a professional banker, a professional accountant and you have actually lived your life in Lagos, you will know that brand called Zenith and one way or the other, it would have actually permeated your story,” he said.
The book, launched at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, is essentially about the story of how Zenith Bank commenced operation in the 80s with N20million and now worth $16billion.
Other dignitaries at the event were Governors Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Ibrahim Shettima (Borno), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti Governor-elect), Godwin Emefiele (CBN Governor), former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; elder statesmen like Chief Akintola Williams; captains of industry including Tony Elumelu, Folorunso Alakija, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I, among others.
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