Political stakeholders, traditional rulers and other prominent leaders in the South West geopolitical zone of the country, are set to host President Bola Tinubu to a homecoming.
The milestone event, being bankrolled by the Southwest Presidential Inauguration Celebration (SW PR-IN-CE) is designed to celebrate the electoral victory of the new President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria Armed Forces.
Addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, the chairman of the group planning the post-inauguration ceremony, Professor Kayode Familoni, and the head of the media and publicity sub-committee, Femi Odere, said the event will hold the Ojaja Resort in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
According to Familoni, Governors Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Dapo Abiodun(Ogun) and other political leaders from across the country are expected to preside over the event.
He added that Oni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Enitan Ogunwusi as custodian of Yoruba customs and traditions will be the Father-of-the-Day on this day while the three governors from the region will be Chairman and Co-Chairmen of the unique occasion. The Professor of Economics, Public & International Affairs, also stated that the celebration will be the first gathering of Yoruba sons and daughters from diaspora and within Nigeria to celebrate a President from their race.
He stated that the event is significant to the unity and progress of the country as exemplified by the new president in his agenda for the country, adding that the people of the South West were determined to support the administration for success.
Familoni maintained that the new president since his assumption of office a month ago has demonstrated genuine intention for the development of the country with his policies and programmes.
“We had a previous president who did not have a solid home in the past but for the first time we are having a president that is genuinely love and supported; hence the uniqueness of the inauguration deserves a special event. We are planning a honorary degree for the president in one of the universities and as well a book launch in his honour.
“Yoruba people regardless of political affiliation are ready to support him. The leaders are committed to his success and you can see what he achieved in one month, what some people can’t do in eight years.
“This coming celebration of our President is perhaps the first time that Yoruba sons and daughters from the Diaspora and within the country will have a structured and formal social gathering for a true Yoruba Sons as the President of this Republic.
“The overreaching objective of this inauguration celebration of President Tinubu in his core political constituency, the Southwest, is to emphasize the fact that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is strongly supported at home. This support can only get stronger in the course of his administration.”
Also speaking, Odere said even though the planned celebration of President Tinubu can be said to have the stamp of approval of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the invitations have been extended to governors of the states under the control of the opposition party.
“We are not unmindful of the critical role that Governor Seyi Makinde played in his support for the president during the elections. We would be extremely happy if the Oyo State governor can grace our inauguration celebration for Asiwaju in the Southwest,” he said.
He added that Governor Oyebanji has expressed his firm commitment and support for the celebration for President Tinubu following a courtesy visit to him during the sallah holiday at his Ikogosi Ekiti country home.
