Day President met Baba
By Vincent Akanmode Those who say that no condition is permanent need no further proof of the age-long aphorism than the encounter between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President
By Vincent Akanmode
Those who say that no condition is permanent need no further proof of the age-long aphorism than the encounter between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the reception organised for the President during his official visit to Ogun State yesterday.
The setting was the commissioning of the newly constructed Gateway International Cargo Airport at Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area where the President Tinubu was received by a host of dignitaries including governors, senators and other political heavyweights.
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But the scene that was of most significance was the warm embrace between the President and elder statesman Obasanjo whose years of frosty relationship had been common knowledge among political observers and watchers of public affairs.
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It will be recalled, for instance, that the former President vigorously campaigned for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party, against Tinubu's candidacy in the build-up to the 2023 elections.
Decked like Tinubu and other guests in the ceremonial uniform designed with President's trademark logo of broken chains, Obasanjo was all smiles as he embraced Tinubu who had sighted the former President and said, “Ah, Baba, I am loyal!” while the former President responded: “I am more loyal, my President”.
Obasanjo then proceeded to pray for the President, saying: “May your star continue to shine. May it never go dim…” To this, the President responded, “AMEN”.
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The warm exchange drew smiles from former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who turned to Tinubu, pointed to Obasanjo's shoes and joked: “I told you there are no old men in Egba (Obasanjo and Osoba's tribe). See Baba's shoes.” Osoba's remarks provoked laughter from the trio and other dignitaries that were near them.
President then proceeded to commission the new airport and also inaugurate two brand new commercial aircraft for Gateway Air, the state-owned carrier operated in partnership with Valuejet.
He also unveiled the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and handed over the operational vehicles at the facility.
