By FRANCIS AWOWOLE-BROWNE, Abuja
Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Speaking during a fund raising dinner organized by the Adams Oshiomhole Foundation, in furtherance of the aspiration of the labour leader to rule Edo State in 2007, the duo urged all well meaning people to come to the aid of Oshiomhole financially and help him realize his ambition.

First to speak was the FCT Minister who in his characteristics blunt manner shook the audience at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, venue of the dinner`as he argued that Oshiomhole deserves the support of all Nigerians in his aspiration irrespective of party affiliation. “We understand why you did not join our party. But wherever you are, our soul, our hearts and our pocket will be with you,” he assured.
Reviewing the activities of NLC President while a member of the National Privatization Council (NCP), Rufai stated that Oshiomhole’s position on all issues was not dogmatic, but influenced only by the benefits Nigerians would derive from the privatization.

According to him, when many activists viewed privatization with disdain, Oshiomhole did not only contribute actively to debate on the issues but ensured that the policies and programmes that emerged from it were such that will enhance the welfare of Nigerian people, adding: “He is one of the few Nigerians I have the greatest respect for. We need leaders who can bring out the best in people. Oshiomhole represents the best of the good people we believe in.

We are expecting that one day, all Nigerians will be like Oshiomhole, and then we will be able to go to sleep,” Rufai noted
He said that his presence along with Mallam Ribadu, Ms Ifueko Omoigui, Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service among others, was a demonstration of their belief and commitment to the struggle and aspiration of Oshiomhole.
The FCT minister urged the labour leader not to deviate from the course which he is noted for in any position he finds himself in the future.

Responding, Oshiomhole said he was impressed that Nigerians valued the struggle he had waged, noting that he believed in the future of the country, and that “ in spite of whatever people would say of the present government, Obasanjo was able to assemble technocrats without ethnic and political considerations in his effort to rebuild the country
“The government has done a couple of things right and some wrong. But one thing that you cannot deny the government is that Obasanjo has been able to bring on board young professionals in the respective fields, not necessarily because they are party faithful, but because of their capacity and outstanding achievements to human development”
He commended the FCT Minister and Ribadu, for finding time to honour his fund-raising dinner, saying that in spite of their different views on some issues, their loyalty to the Nigeria nation was never in doubt.