Posted by By MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta on
Newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. ‘Dimeji Sabur Bankole yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, assured Nigerians that he would not disappoint them. He spoke at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta during a courtesy visit on the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who expressed delight at his election.
Newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. ‘Dimeji Sabur Bankole yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, assured Nigerians that he would not disappoint them. He spoke at the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta during a courtesy visit on the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who expressed delight at his election.
The speaker, who was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Whip, Alhaji Aminu Waziri and a lady, who was introduced as his wife, Mrs. Olaitan Bankole expressed gratitude to Nigerians, adding: 'I am also very grateful to Ogun State, and indeed to the Abeokuta South Local Government."
He further said: 'Today is not really a day of speech, but to be grateful to God, the people of Nigeria and Ogun State."
The new speaker paid glowing tribute to Governor Daniel who, he said, had taken personal interest in his life and career in the past four years.
His words: 'He (Governor Daniel) is someone who has taken me personally over the last four years. Someone who likes to play the big brother when I waver. Someone who has in many ways stood by me.
'Most of you don't know when everyone else doubted me, it was a question of trust on this man (Daniel). By God's grace, I will not disappoint this person. Please help me to thank Otunba Gbenga Daniel."
He canvassed support for Governor Daniel, saying 'Let's come together and assist, help Governor Daniel in the task of governing the state.
Daniel in his brief remark described the appointment of the new speaker as a generational shift, saying: 'Today clearly is a day when the next generation is giving a good account of themselves.
'In the election of Hon. Dimeji Bankole, we are quite hopeful that the fortune and image of the House of Representatives will have a positive turn in the next few weeks or months."
Daniel also paid glowing tributes to the father of the speaker, saying:" Where ever he may be today, he will be a happy man, saying this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."
He thanked members of the House for reposing confidence in the ability of the new speaker and assured him that the machinery he left behind would continue to assist him in whatever way possible. Earlier, the speaker narrated his experience in the barely four-days in office and concluded that he was adjusting to the demands and paraphernalia of office.
Hon Dimeji told Governor Daniel how he wanted to purchase air ticket for his journey to Abeokuta, the state capital and how he was told by his Chief Security Officer (CSO) and ADC that he could not travel in a commercial flight except by the Presidential Jet. His words: 'After telling Governor Daniel of my visit to Ogun State, I asked my CSO and ADC to go and purchase ticket and the ADC started smiling. He told me that I can't travel in the morning. I asked him to get me that of afternoon and the guy started laughing again.
'At that point, it was like, I am doing something wrong and he said Oga, you are not allowed to go on commercial flight. I then said if I can't go by flight, then I can go by road. The gentleman was hysterical."
Continuing, he said: 'Trying to control himself, he later said the Presidential Jet will be made available. I excused him for a second and went into my bedroom and I say Oh my God, controlling myself and I told the ADC to get the Presidential Jet ready and he said Yes Sir with a smile on his face.
'Later the Chief of Staff came calling saying Yes and he requested when I wanted the Jet and replied sometime around 8.00 a.m. He wanted to know when I would come back and I said sometimes in the afternoon. He then said Ok. The Jet will drop you off, wait for you and then bring you back to Abuja."
And I said OGD must hear this. He sent me to Abuja , I was not thinking of the Presidential Jet and all sort of other funny things".