President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to imbibe the enduring values of courage, resilience, unity and the politics of cooperation exemplified by the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, urging citizens to shun bitterness, acrimony and divisive tendencies in national life.
The President made the call on Thursday through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who represented him at the 2026 Samuel Akintola Memorial Lecture and the 60th Remembrance of the former Premier of Western Nigeria, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Describing the memorial lecture, themed Unity in Diversity: Lessons from Chief Ladoke Akintola’s Legacy, as a fitting tribute, President Tinubu said Akintola’s life and sacrifice remain central to Nigeria’s historical journey and nation-building efforts. He noted that the remembrance of past tragedies should not reopen old wounds but serve as a pathway to healing through understanding and renewed commitment to national unity.
According to the President, Chief Akintola, like several leaders of Nigeria’s formative years, paid the ultimate price so that the country could realise its full potential. He recalled that the January 15, 1966, military coup claimed the lives of many national leaders in their prime and plunged the nation onto a difficult path, but stressed that Nigeria has endured and will continue to prevail as one indivisible nation.
President Tinubu reassured Nigerians that despite prevailing socio-economic challenges, his administration remains committed to building on the foundations laid by Akintola and other national heroes through reforms, policies and people-centred initiatives aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable prosperity. He urged citizens to exercise patience, emphasising that ongoing reforms are designed to secure a brighter and more stable future, not to impose hardship.
Reflecting on Akintola’s life, the president described him as a distinguished teacher, journalist, legal mind and passionate politician who rose from humble beginnings in Ogbomoso to become the first Premier of the Western Region in post-independence Nigeria.
He highlighted Akintola’s service as a federal minister, the first Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Parliament, and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
He also noted Akintola’s contributions to key national institutions, including the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria Airways and the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, describing him as one of the most astute politicians of his era.
Beyond offices and titles, President Tinubu said Akintola’s greatest legacy lay in his ideals, particularly his advocacy of the politics of cooperation — a bridge-building philosophy that prioritised consensus over conflict and national unity over regional isolation. He recalled Akintola’s consistent call for alignment with the national mainstream and equitable distribution of national resources through his doctrine of a “fair share.”
The president also reflected on narratives surrounding the January 1966 coup, noting that while allegations of corruption were cited as justification, Akintola stood out as a builder who initiated and completed impactful development projects. He called for deeper scholarly examination of public administration in pre-1966 Western Nigeria to enrich historical understanding.
Paying tribute to other patriots who lost their lives during the coup, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh and senior military officers, President Tinubu said their sacrifices underscore the dangers of disunity, distrust and political intolerance.
He stressed that Nigeria’s diversity of peoples, languages and faiths must be harnessed as a strength rather than a source of division, affirming that unity in diversity remains the only viable path to lasting peace and progress.
Highlighting current efforts to promote inclusive development, the President pointed to the establishment of Regional Development Commissions across the six geopolitical zones as a strategy to decentralise development and address region-specific challenges in line with Akintola’s philosophy of fairness.
He also underscored the importance of education and human capital development, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, through which over 600,000 students have benefited from interest-free loans, describing education as a powerful tool against poverty, insecurity and division.
Addressing the people of the South-West, President Tinubu acknowledged the region’s contributions to national development and assured that his administration remains attentive to its aspirations. He said the South-West Development Commission is operational, with federal projects in power, roads, rail, agribusiness and innovation being accelerated.
About the Author
