Oba Salis hails Tinubu as “Anomaly” after Man of the Year Win

Prominent lawyer and politician, Oba Mekunu Owolabi Salis, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being named the 2024 Man of the Year by editors from ThisDay and Arise News.

Salis, who hails from Ikorodu, Lagos, and holds the unique record as the first Black African to visit both the North and South Poles in one season, described Tinubu as an “anomaly” — a leader who does things beyond the normal or expected

Salis pointed to Tinubu’s decision to appoint a Southerner as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the first time.

He noted that the role had long been unofficially regarded as exclusive to Northerners, stemming from a belief that it was the ancestral right of the Hausa-Fulani people. Salis commended Tinubu for breaking this unwritten rule, describing it as a bold and unconventional move.

He also praised the editors of ThisDay and Arise News for their unbiased decision to honor Tinubu, despite a history of strained relations between the president and the media houses.

According to Salis, the award initially met with skepticism from the public, with some comparing it to TIME Magazine’s controversial selection of Adolf Hitler as Man of the Year in 1938.

However, Salis argued that the editors’ decision was justified, citing Tinubu’s significant reforms. These include a boost in external reserves to over $40 billion, tax reforms, the push for local government autonomy, and initiatives in the oil and gas sector.

Salis lauded Tinubu’s courage to implement unpopular but promising policies, emphasizing that his actions were driven by conviction rather than public sentiment.

While congratulating Tinubu, Salis reminded the president that awards should serve as motivation for further improvement rather than an end goal.

Drawing from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s advice to Ibrahim Babangida about implementing reforms with a “human face,” Salis stressed the importance of tempering economic policies to minimize hardship on the poor.

“The masses are the very reason for governance and make up the largest segment of our population,” Salis said. He urged Tinubu to ensure that reforms do not push ordinary Nigerians into unbearable suffering. According to Salis, any improvements in external reserves or GDP must translate into better living conditions for citizens.

On the issue of palliatives, Salis called for a transparent and effective system to ensure that relief measures reach the intended beneficiaries. He criticized past efforts where palliatives failed to impact those who needed them most.

Salis also reflected on the broader significance of awards, praising TIME Magazine for initiating the tradition of recognizing individuals based on their contributions to society, regardless of ideology or political alignment.

He encouraged Nigerian media organizations to emulate this practice and also spotlight Nigerians in the diaspora who are excelling in various fields.

On a lighter note, Salis mentioned his own achievement of becoming the first Black African to visit the North and South Poles, urging for greater recognition of Nigerians making extraordinary contributions globally.

He emphasized that awards should remain free from politics, bias, and favoritism.

Salis noted that TIME Magazine has historically recognized figures across diverse and controversial spectrums, including Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Hugo Chavez, and Ayatollah Khomeini.

.He explained that these choices demonstrate the magazine’s commitment to impartiality and its focus on the influence of individuals, regardless of their moral standing or ideology.

In conclusion, Salis reiterated his call for Tinubu to prioritize the welfare of ordinary Nigerians in all his policies. He urged the president to ensure that the country’s progress directly benefits the people, particularly the most vulnerable, and to continue leading with bold, people-centered initiatives.