At Awo’s lecture, Fayemi, Fasanmi, Akintoye advocate true federalism

A second Republic Senator, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has advocated true federalism as the only weapon that can wipe out marginalisation and poverty in the country.

Akintoye said the late Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was able to make a remarkable difference in the lives of the Yoruba people due to true federalism that was in place then.He stated this in Ado-Ekiti yesterday during a lecture entitled “Awolowo’s Heritage and Many Challenges of our Time” organised by Afenifere Renewal Group to mark the 110th birthday of the late Yoruba leader.

Akintoye said Governor Kayode Fayemi could surpass Awolowo’s achievements in the cardinal sectors like education, health, social investment and rural development if given the same environment to operate like the late politician.“I am proud that we have a governor who shared the same dream with Chief Awolowo here in Ekiti. Someone who believes in the culture of honesty, hardwork, education and who was committed to protect it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Afenifere factional leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who applauded the South-West governors and the electorate for protecting the region by voting for President Muhammadu Buhari at the just-concluded presidential poll, said Afenifere would continue to fight against injustice in the region and protect the corporate interest of the citizens of the people at all times.

Fayemi, in his own speech, urged the South-West to continue to play active role in the leadership of the nation.He said Awolowo remained the greatest Nigerian patriot and leader ever existed in the history of the country due to the vision he had for the nation and tremendous positive impacts he made in the lives of the people.

“We must re-enact some of those values Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for. The values of honesty, hardwork, visionary and other heritage.‘If we must bring back our values, we must be at the place where decisions are taken, that is being with a progressive government at the centre. We should even seek higher leadership here in the South-West under that government,” he said. Fayemi added that he does not align with the widespread notion that the elite are always anti-people, saying Awolowo’s political progressive doctrine preached that elite must work and defend the poor.