Democracy Day: Umerah congratulates Tinubu, Nigerians

An American-based Nigerian Professor of Medicine and philanthropist, Prof. Emeka Umerah, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR., and the entire Nigerians over the celebration of the 25th anniversary of unbroken democracy in the country.

He recalled the sacrifices made by the heroes and heroines of Nigeria’s democracy, and their organisations including President Tinubu, to validate the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, which was won by the departed multimillionaire publisher and philanthropist, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, but which was annulled by the military junta headed by Gen Ibrahim Babangida.

In a statement signed, Prof Umerah paid glowing tributes to the democracy heroes and heroines dead or alive, who sacrificed their personal comfort, security and resources to bring the democracy being enjoyed today.

They include Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Pa Alfred Rewane, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Mr Chima Ubani, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Lulu Briggs, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Alhaji Abdulazeez Ude, Ambassador Tanko Yusuf and General Theophilus Danjuma, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Dr Doyin Okupe.

On Prof Umerah’s list also are the Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, Gen Alani Akinrinade, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olusegun Falae, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, and Dr Kayode Fayemi, among others.

He saluted the courage of the eminent 49 persons representing various pro-democracy groups, who were the founding signatories to NADECO, the arrow head of the struggle, led by Ajasin.

Prof Umerah commended President Tinubu for his administration’s bold economic reforms which he believed would soon translate to prosperity and abundance. Also, he noted that the planned new minimum wage, would ease workers’ burden and stimulate the economy.

Reeling out the achievements of the Tinubu administration just within one year in the saddle, he believed that Nigerians will bountifully reap the democracy dividends by the time the administration clocks its first term in office.

Specifically, Prof Umerah credited the administration with the following projects:

* The concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island. The reconstructed road, which began during the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, was financed by the Dangote Group, using its tax credits.

* The refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has drawn public acclaim for its excellent finishing and aesthetic furnishing;

* Rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country;

* Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion. Work has begun on the legacy project that will connect nine coastal states, with Section Two already awarded to Hitech Construction Limited;

* Inauguration in Abuja of the Southern Parkway, which the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration named after Tinubu;

* Unveiling the National Assembly Library Complex, named after Tinubu;

*Relaunch of the commercialisation of Abuja Light Rail, also known as Abuja Metro. The Abuja Metro was completed in 2018 by the Buhari Administration. It was put into commercial use up till 2020, but with the onset of COVID-19, the train service was abandoned while vandals descended on the facility, putting it out of use. FCT Minister Wike, after spending 15 million dollars and building access roads to the various stations, has refurbished it for commercial service;

*The Wuye Flyover-Link Bridge;

* The Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters;

* Commissioning of the NASENI-Portland Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Centre at Utako;

* Prioritisation of enhancing national security, with increased funding for security agencies and strategic initiatives to combat insurgency and banditry.

* Neutralisation by gallant military troops of 9,303 terrorists and criminals, including notorious kingpins such as Damina, Dangote, Kachalla Azarailu, and Boderi, among others;

* Efforts at tackling corruption, initiating economic reforms and enhancing infrastructure development across the nation to stimulate national progress.

* Award of the Makurdi-Otukpo-Enugu road project, the Abuja light rail, the national assembly renovation, Lagos-Calabar Coastal project, and several others,

* Ongoing several reform initiatives aimed at revitalising the economy, including efforts to improve the ease of doing business, attract foreign investment and diversify the economic base away from oil dependency.

He advised the President to faithfully implement the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 campaign mantra, anchored on a policy document titled Renewed Hope.

He believed that the policy document, which prioritised national security, economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, education, the digital economy, sport, entertainment and culture, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, women empowerment, social programs, judicial reforms, federalism and decentralisation of power and foreign policy, among others, is capable of transforming the economy soon.

Prof Umerah is a member of the “Tinubu Diaspora Group USA”, ABAT Diaspora Movement, major financial contributor to the Tinubu Diaspora Group in USA.

He is the President and Executive Program Director, of the Public Policy Advocacy and Research Council, Inc (PPARC).

The PPARC is a non-partisan political think tank aiding policy makers in the research and advocacy of public policy, research, and education in the United States. Besides, the council performs lawful advocacy and lobbying activities in the USA.