I want to leave a legacy like Marwa in Osun- Adeleke

IBRAHIM QUADRI

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has commemded sterling performance of former military administrator of Lagos State, Brigadier-General (retd) Buba Marwa  saying he hopes to leave a legacy in Osun as that of Marwa.

Adeleke gave the remark during the Champion Newspapers’ Awards of the Year 2022 held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event was attended by various personalities from different walks of life. The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was the Chief Host emerged as the Governor of the Year at the event.

Top on the list of the 34 distinguished recipients are Retired Brigadier-General  Muhammed Buba Marwa, Chairman National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Bank of the Year, Mrs Nneka Oyeali-Ikpe, the MD,CEO, Fidelity Bank Olc, (Banker of the Year, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader of Afenifere, Life Achievement Award and Adeleke Governor of the Year (Good Governance).

Adeleke, whose award came few hours to his 63 years birthday, in his characteristic manner, displayed his dancing prowess to the admiration of the audience.

Other awardees include, Abdullahi Audu Sule of Nasarawa State (Good Corporate Governance & Integrity in Leadership Award), Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State (Investment Friendly Governor of the Year), Samuel Ortom of Venue State (Courage in Leadership Award), Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State (Governor of the Year on Security) and minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume (Pillar of Democracy Award) among others.

Speaking at the event, Adeleke said, “When you were the Govenor of Lagos State, you did very well. I’m proud of you. That is what I planned in Osun State,” he told Marwa.

He maintained that the Champion Award is a challenge for him to perform more as the new Governor of Osun State.

“I appreciate you on the award. It is going to ginger me more. I dedicate the award to Osun people.”

Responding to have be chosen as Man of the Year, Marwa said, “Champion Newspapers is one of the old and best newspapers in the country. It is a challenge for me to work harder.”

He thanked all the development partners such as Union Nations, European Union and similar other organizations, who according to him have been providing intelligence for NDLEA to succeed as regard war on trafficking of hard drugs.

He noted, “They don’t give cash but they provide training and we share intelligence.”

He also expressed appreciation to all his team who have been supportive, saying that they have been in the trenches risking their lives for us to have safety.

While calling on the general public for more support to the fight against drug abuse, Marwa stressed, “It is a collective fight. Everyone should stand up and be ready to fight the drug scourge.”

Former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke who was awarded most outstanding South-South Person of the Year, 2022 expressed joy over the award, saying it was coming 16 years after he left office.

He noted, “I want to thank those who served with me and I thank Champion Newspapers’.Group, they must have dug it up. There is nothing we can do for God but to serve humanity.”