Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State yesterday has tasked the present political leaders to learn from the performance of late General Murtala Muhammed to build a better Nigeria.
He made the call while paying tribute to the late Head of State while participating in the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the General Muhammed, held at Murtala Muhammad Cenotaph in Ikoyi, Lagos yesterday.
He described General Muhammed as Africa’s best leader at his time who achieved so much in government in six months of his short reign which is still a pace setting performance in government till today. He said today’s leaders should go and understudy to excel in government.
“Among his noble achievements, he created eight new states to make Nigeria 19 states, while the present political leaders have not been able to create one state,” he noted. He however, lamented that while the states Muhammed created are presently making 50 years anniversary, none of them has done any tribute to him.
The chairman of Murtala Muhammad Foundation and daughter of the late Head of State, Dr. Aisha Muhammad-Oyebode, said her father excelled by showcasing high level of integrity, indiscipline, accountability integrity, courage and selfless national service. She admonished the present leaders to embrace such leadership qualities for the advancement of Nigeria and beyond which crowned Nigeria the African giant globally during his time.
Brigadier General Adebanjo, in his tribute said Muhammad excelled in as a Nigerian Army signal officer before making it to top government position.
The Lagos State governor led the dignitaries in the wreath-laying ceremony.
