Obasanjo Urges Fintiri to Replicate Developmental Strive in Rural Areas
From Umar Dankano, Yola
Former president of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state to replicate his urban renewal development strive to rural areas in the state.
Obasanjo made the disclosure at the official commissioning of a grade interchange project in Yola Wednesday at a ceremony marking the fifth year anniversary Governor Fintiri in power stressing that developing rural areas will assist in curbing security challenges.
Obasanjo applauded Governor Fintiri with his administration’s provision of projects with direct bearings on the populace describing the day as significant and memorable to him thanked governor Fintiri for choosing him to commission the epoch making project.
He noted that despite the negative antics of naysayers, democracy has come to stay in Nigeria adding that with landmark strides like the one he witnessed in Adamawa, democracy will continue to grow from strength to strength expressing optimism that democracy is unstoppable.
He confessed that his incarceration in Yola Prison for twenty five years (25) has shaped his experiences and ordeals towards life.
“People will say we have not yet achieved anything, but we have not derailed and we shall not derailed,” he said.
He also thanked Fintiri for instituting the first grade interchange in northeastern part of Nigeria urging Adamawa people to continue to accord his administration all the support it needed to give them more dividends of democracy.
Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri expressed gratitude to the people for putting their trust in his government for according him the opportunity to contribute his quota in governance.
Fintiri noted that the landmark project was a product of hard work, frugality, commitment and dedication adding that when he started constructing the grade interchange, a skeptic accused him of digging a big hole at the center of the city.
“This is one project with a short but interesting story. Like most of our projects, when we did the groundbreaking ceremony, skeptics went wild with their usual doubts – “It cannot be done”.
“This is perhaps, the fastest delivered project of its kind in this part of the world. To those skeptics who doubted its completion, I invite you to continue to enjoy what only vision, courage and commitment can accomplish,” he said.
