By Sunday Dare
The book: The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story is a discourse on history as they affect contemporary issues. It is a deliberate presentation of a rich background to an era that is just beginning. It could therefore be called, history in progress—a literary contradiction that explains an immediate past which has laid a foundation for an unfolding future. The authors are simply saying: if you want to be sure of what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can do for Nigeria, or who he really is, then follow our scrutiny as we walk down the terrain that exposes his farsighted pedigree.
This book is also a biographical composition that captures a life in leadership. It is neither a history book in the traditional sense nor a hypothetical analysis. Rather, it masterfully examines the political life of an enigma called Bola Ahmed Tinubu by interpreting and offering perspectives on issues that mark him out as a leader that can be trusted. While the book dwells mostly on the past, it speaks boldy about the future which has since began.
After intellectually scrutinizing the central theme of the book which is examined from diverse angles, it is without doubt that the authors intended to send a strong and truthful message of reassurance to the people of Nigeria that despite the uncertainty of the present, things will surely work again. The message is captured from a Biblical perspective revealed in Psalm 30:5 which states clearly that though weeping may endure for a night, joy will surely come in the morning. In other words, though hunger and frustration may walk tall in our land today and breed hopelessness in the moment, soon the reverse would be the case.
Written by people who believe in the Tinubu identity, people who have caught the vision and are ready to run with it, the book has 10 short chapters. The narrative is in simple, easy to grasp expressions. Every chapter seeks and presents answers to one comprehensive question: does President Tinubu have the required experience, a tested competence, the stamina and the bold gravitas to rescue Nigeria from several years of economic, political, ethnic and social stagnation?
In chapter one, entitled: Foundations of Governance – Bola Tinubu’s Path to Leadership, the authors write that irrespective of different opinions held by different people and the questions that have followed, President Tinubu possesses such political pedigree that groups him among the best in Nigeria and elsewhere.
They boldly state that while certain political leaders have at several times found themselves in power without any preparation, the case of President Tinubu is different because he has been proactive in his preparation for any office he has held in the past. The book reveals that Tinubu believes in testing his abilities by rising through the ranks. For instance, before seeking any political office, he is known to have been involved in democratic struggles and daring political scuffles under the military. This activism helped him create unbreakable social and political networks across the country. So, Tinubu’s journey to the presidency was not a sudden one. It did not start on the eve of the election. It is a product of accumulated efforts, sleepless nights, a life in exile, and an undying vision.
This chapter tells a story of President Tinubu’s democratic struggle on the platform of NADECO—the National Democratic Coalition, his election as a senator, a life in exile, his return and emergence as governor of Lagos State. It is here that the authors present him as a man of innovative initiatives, especially on the economic front. It was through his unrivalled economic skill that the internally generated revenue of Lagos State moved from six hundred million naira a month to over five billion naira—an uncommon feat by every standard.
It is clear from this chapter that President Tinubu has a tested competence that prepared him for the nation’s presidency. With increased revenue, he is reported to have changed the economic development landscape of Lagos State within eight years. Described by the authors as “a bold, optimistic, staunch believer in competency and a man of his convictions” Tinubu is presented as a symbol of hope in the midst of frustration, someone who plans and sees beyond mounting frustrations and hardship.
Chapter Two of the book focuses on Grassroots Mobilisation — The Core of Tinubu’s Political Style. Here the authors write about Tinubu’s political heritage which they believe is deeply rooted in his unrivalled ability to properly identify and engage the micro-components of the masses, and acknowledge them as constituting the essential parts of the political group in the society. The book describes President Tinubu as possessing acclaimed street sense, innate grasp of what politics should deliver, acute knowledge and understanding of the political ideology best suited for Nigeria, a knack for building and fostering coalitions, and a fastidious disposition towards enhancing the happiness and wellbeing of the greatest number in his society.
The book, in this chapter, outlines the various strategies usually deployed by President Tinubu for political mobilization. The authors discuss the various political alignment which President Tinubu identified with in his bid to build coalitions across the country. With significant growth and expansion of his political networks, the authors state that he has been recognized as the “foremost face and driver of progressive politics” in Nigeria since the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In the opinion of the authors, the President also qualifies as the “most significant, political protege of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.” Most importantly, the book attributes Tinubu’s unprecedented grassroots mobilization and building of coalition to his beloved mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the Iyaloja-General of Lagos State.
In Chapter Three, the book deals exclusively on: Building Coalitions – Tinubu’s Blueprint for Political Success. It is in a way an extension of chapter two. Names are mentioned and examples are given. Here President Tinubu is described as “a deep political thinker and exceptional strategist with a reputation for tackling difficult and nearly impossible political tasks.” The book reveals that President Tinubu’s dexterity “at building coalitions and strategic alliances attests to his resilience and courage in the face of all odds.”
Vision and Charisma – Understanding Tinubu’s Leadership Qualities is discussed in Chapter Four under different sub-headings. These are man of the year: the change mantra; a visionary inexplicable; a futuristic vision; vision characterised by empathy, Tinubu’s Akandeism; fearless in the face of tyranny; greatest of all time; the power of charismatic grooming; Nigeria like Lagos: BAT model, BAT vision: a timeless solution of all time.
This chapter states in summary that although Nigeria is presently facing economic, security and political challenges, it is blessed with a leader with the competence to guide the troubled nation through turbulent times. The book discloses that with Tinubu as President, Nigeria now has someone who can guarantee quality of life for the citizens, “good living standards, social justice, financial re-engineering for prosperity and effective governance.”
Chapter Five of this slim-volume book examines: Resilience and Adaptability – The Personal Traits that Defined Tinubu. This is scrutinized under certain catchy sub-headings: resilience: perseverance through adversity (NADECO), adaptability: evolving with the political landscape; Bola Tinubu’s activities in Abeokuta – Emi lokan declarations: May 29, 2023-September 13, 2024; and legacy of resilience and adaptability.
The authors recapture how Tinubu’s resilience in persistent reforms based on a clear vision, transformed Lagos into one of Nigeria’s most economically vibrant and politically stable states “with his visionary master plan which his successors continue to implement and use as their playbook in administering the commercial capital of Nigeria.” They are confident that the President’s courageousness in implementing economic restructurings, “such as removing fuel subsidies and unifying exchange rates, demonstrated resilience in the face of opposition,” and that in no time, the outcome would gladden every heart.
The next chapter examines Economic Reforms – Tinubu’s Blueprint for Growth. It presents President Tinubu as a thinker, who co-authored a book with Brian Browne, entitled: ‘Financialism: Water from an Empty Well. This chapter, which is a continuation of the previous one, discusses Tinubu’s antecedents; the Lagos template; a new template for internally generated revenue (IGR), transparency in public account, budgetary system, macroeconomic reforms, the perspectives, the blueprint: a worldview before examining his presidential manifesto under three clear areas comprising expansionary fiscal policy, import substitution policy, anti-inflationary fiscal policy.
This chapter cautions that President Tinubu’s vision of creating 50 million jobs for Nigerians should go beyond a policy, because its implementation is critical to the economy. According to the authors, “the most sustainable approach to job creation is to support production and create an enabling business environment for the private sector.” Globally, it is unquestionable that a blossoming private sector is a job creator for the people. The book gives the assurance that as a political equivalent of a medical surgeon, President Tinubu understands the enormity of an ailment on his patient’s body and is sufficiently strong-minded to deal with the situation in a way that would guarantee relief as he appears undeterred in his avowed commitment to rewrite history.
Education forms the subject of discourse in chapter seven under: Educational Advancements – Transforming the Learning Landscape. It opens with the declaration: Tinubu: dogged about education; and goes ahead to discuss such issues as the national framework for education and the implementation of a mandatory health insurance scheme to cover at least 40% of the population within two years.
The President’s 80-page manifesto on Renewed Hope is also examined in this chapter. It focuses on education infrastructure, accreditation standards and curriculum, teacher training, school management, technical and vocational education, restructuring of tertiary institutions, student loans, special education fund, among others.
Chapter Eight of the book deals on Infrastructure Development – Laying the Foundations of Modernisation. It draws inspiration from what Tinubu did in Lagos state as governor several years ago under the Lagos infrastructure experience, housing infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, the power initiative, infrastructure: a new paradigm, the infrastructure plan with emphasis on the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund. These are analysed in manners that show the vision and the mission of the Tinubu’s administration in addressing these issues.
In Chapter Nine of the book, the authors treat the issue of Healthcare Initiatives – A Vision for a Healthier Nigeria. They start the discussion on the Lagos template implemented by the then Governor Tinubu which included the blindness prevention programme, LASAMBUS Scheme, and environmental sanitation. After a detail discussion, it is believed that the same template can work at the national level with some massive adjustment.
They believed that a national health policy should cover health sector governance and leadership, equity and equality, the next public health emergency which should include: disease surveillance and detection, emergency response, surge capacity, patient management system for routine and endemic diseases, access and distribution mechanisms for medical countermeasures, and systems to cater to inevitable mass fatalities when they occur.
The last chapter is a narrative on: Inside the Office – Personal Reflections on Working with President Tinubu. It is an account of a personal experience by one of the authors.
The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story is an interesting literature. It is basically a recap of the enormous achievements of President Tinubu as Lagos State government and how that template would equally bring largescale economic and social development to the centre. The authors have also set standards that the President and his team would be required to cover in their service to the nation.
This book is a reassurance by the authors that like John Maxwell said, “a leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu knows the way and will tenaciously pursue and execute a Nigerian Reforms Agenda to success.
The information in this book is meant to rebuild hope in Nigerians that President Tinubu does not only mean well, he is equally capable of delivering on his promises.
On the whole, nothing ties the book together like these three quotes below. They resonate loudly about the Man, our leader, Nigeria’s current President and Commander in Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“He armed himself with quality education, built a sterling career in private and public sectors, rose through the ranks, led major democratic struggles and political battles and established a rich network of allies and associates across Nigeria and beyond”.
“The reforms his government has introduced are not quick fixes, rather, they are deliberate, albeit painful transformations. He actively seeks to articulate the rationale behind his disruptive but rewarding decisions. That is a mark of responsible and responsive leadership and not one rooted in deception and playing to the gallery”.
“True leadership is not for the faint hearted, after all. It requires the capacity to take a studious look at available options and choose the path that leads to the general and enduring good, not necessarily one with the least resistance”.
Finally, this book, The Architect of Renewal: The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Story is one of many yet to be written. Our Hope is Renewed that a greater Nigeria is possible under President Bola Tinubu.
This book rekindles the confidence of Nigerians in their President as a man well equipped for the job. A long distance runner who will ride the storms, surmount the obstacles and ultimately take Nigeria to the desired destination. That destination is a better Nigeria.
| Text of the review of the book ‘The Architect of Renewal: Bola Tinubu Story’ on Saturday November 23, at the State House Banquet Hall