*Bola Tinubu* is a Nigerian politician who once served as the 12th Governor of Lagos State (1999 – 2007). He was once a member of the house of Senate representing the Lagos West Senatorial district (1993). Tinubu is an advocate of Democracy, True Federalism, and Nationalism.
Bola Tinubu Background :
Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu was born on the 29th of March 1952 in Lagos State, Nigeria. His mother – Chief Abibatu Mogaji, was the Iyaloja of Lagos State. Tinubu is the Asiwaju of Lagos and the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, Niger State, Nigeria.
Tinubu had his primary and secondary education at St. John’s Primary School, Aroloya, Lagos and Children’s Home School in Ibadan, Nigeria respectively. He is married to Oluremi Tinubu, the current Senator of the Lagos Central Constituency, and they are blessed with children.
Tinubu’s Trip To The United States Of America :
Bola Ahmed always had the desire to travel abroad but never had the opportunity, until the day life served him the opportunity on a platter of gold.
Tinubu and his friends were walking down to church when a sudden shoot out occurred. Although Tinubu enjoyed a narrow escape, the guy beside him was shot. As a result, his family decided it was time for him to leave the country to school abroad. To raise money for his trip, he sold the Volkswagen his uncle gave him, while his mother sold all her trinkets.
Tinubu arrived the United States in 1975. While in the US, he attended Richard J. Daley College, Illinois, Chicago first and later moved to the Chicago State University, graduating in 1979 with a bachelors of science degree in accounting.
While schooling, Tinubu worked as a cab driver, a security man, a door guard, a dishwasher and room service personnel. Because he had several sources of income, he no longer depended on his family in Nigeria for pocket money.
Tinubu was a very brilliant student, he maintained his position as the best student from the beginning of the academic year until the end. His excellent performance earned him a scholarship and also qualified him to tutor in the accounting department.
Bola Tinubu Career :
Tinubu graduated as the best student in his class. As the best graduating student in his class, he was eligible for several job offers from big accounting firms in the United States. Some of firms were Arthur Andersen, Arthur Young, Ernst and Whinney, Peat Marwick and Mitchell, Deloitte, IBM, Arthur Young, Deloitte, Haskins and Sells, etc.
Tinubu had the option of picking just one company. He would have picked the highest paying job but his professor advised that he choose a company where he would learn and be relevant to his country. This made him choose Deloitte and Touche because their clients are in the oil and gas sector, since Nigeria is an oil-producing country.
Tinubu’s Career At Mobil Nigeria :
After a successful career at Deloitte and Touche, he went on to work with General Telephone and Electronics (GTE). While at GTE, he experienced first-hand racism and discrimination, so he resigned and went on to work at Mobil, United Kingdom.
In 1983, Tinubu relocated back to Nigeria and resumed work with Mobil Nigeria where he started off as an auditor. In no time, he rose to the position of treasurer. Tinubu spearheaded the construction of the Mobile Nigeria House.
Bola Tinubu Political Career :
Bola Tinubu ventured into politics in 1992, under the Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP). He belonged to a faction of the party called the Peoples Front. The faction was led by Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. Other members of the People’s Front were Dapo Sarumi, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Yomi Edu.
In 1993, Tinubu was elected to the Nigerian Senate, to represent the Lagos West constituency. As a senator, Bola Tinubu was the chairman of Appropriation, Finance, and Banking committee.
After the annulment of the June 12, 1993, elections, Tinubu, alongside other pro-democratic politicians founded the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). NADECO was established to restore democracy, and to ensure that the June 12 election result was reinstated.
Bola Tinubu On Exile :
The activities of NADECO were not pleasing to the military dictator at the time (Sani Abacha). For fear of his life, Tinubu had to go on a compulsory exile, first to Benin republic, then to the UK, in 1994.
Eventually, Sani Abacha died in 1998. Abacha’s death, however, ushered in the transition to civilian rule. Thereafter, General Abdulsalami Abubakar was announced as the new Head of State. It was General Abubakar who asked Bola Tinubu and other politicians on exile to return to the country.
Bola Tinubu As The Governor Of Lagos State
Bola Ahmed Tinubu contested for the office of the executive governor of Lagos State under the Alliance for Democracy party (ADP). He won the election and became the governor of Lagos State in May 1999.
As governor, Tinubu promised he would provide 10,000 housing units for the poor. Also, he made large investments towards education, initiated road constructions to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of Lagos State.
Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Governor of Lagos State came to an end on the 29th of May 2007. He was succeeded by his chief of staff, Babatunde Fashola.
The Nation Newspaper :
Bola Tinubu founded The Nation Newspaper on the 31st of July 2006 in Lagos State. The paper is published daily in Lagos, Nigeria.
The paper focuses on business and economy, public policies, the democratic process and institutions of democracy, sports, arts and culture, fashion, lifestyle, world affairs, education, health, law, and commentaries.
The Nation paper was the first paper to be circulated across the 36 states of Nigeria within its first two years of operation.
Bola Tinubu Awards And Recognitions :
Thinkers Magazine Man of the Year Award – 2015
Silverbird Man of the Year Award – 2015
Pillar of Culture in Africa at the AFRIMA Awards – 2105
Champion of Democracy Award at the Global Village Extra Seminar and Awards Night, United States of America – 2016
Grand Commander Worthy Leader of the Order of Niger (GCWLON) by the Osun Concerned Women Forum (GCWF) – 2018
Bola Tinubu Quotes :
“We look backwards to recognize the sacrifices and valour of our heroes past. And we also look forward with hope for the future of our Nation and Democracy.”
“No matter the political differences, let us remember we are of one land, and of the same national family.”
“We must make concerted efforts to banish poverty from Nigeria. To rid Nigeria of poverty is indeed a task that must be done.”
“The future is uncertain until we enter it…”
“The hallmark of every nation is the wellbeing of its citizens…”
“We don’t have reasons to be poor in this country, because we are blessed. Take a helicopter and fly to Kwara, Kogi, Abuja, Kaduna, etc. you will see vast green land. We have enough land for food.”
“Education is the greatest weapon against poverty, we cannot innovate without education, we need a leader that is a thinker and a doer.”
“When you take away the right of citizens to fair hearing in any democracy, you have committed a crime, and you have set the nation on the path of instability, and destruction.”
Bola Tinubu Net Worth
According to wealthresult.com, Bola Tinubu is worth $32.7 billion.
Life Lesson Learnt From Bola Tinubu
Be courageous, and do not give up in the fight for what you believe in. It might take a while, and you might suffer persecution, but in the end, if you are fighting for the right cause, it would be achieved.
Give yourself a goal or goals, and be determined to achieve them against all odds.
Work hard and leave no room for laxity in whatever you do.
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