KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES, CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO GCFR, DELIVERED ON HIS BEHALF BY ALHAJI CHIEF M. A. OLA YUSUF FCA, FCCA, A MEMBER OF THE OLOWU CABINET OF OWU KINGDOM AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE MUSTAPHA AKANBI FOUNDATION ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2006 AT THE BANQUET HALL OF KWARA HOTEL, ILORIN.

-           The Executive Governor of Kwara State
-           Members of the State Executive Council
-           My Lords Spiritual and Temporal
-           The Chief Justice of the Federation
-           The Grand Khadi of Kwara State
-           The Chairman of Mustapha Akanbi Foundation
-           Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with great joy and happiness that I associate myself and my Government with the establishment of Mustapha Akanbi Foundation towards the establishment of Bello Akanbi Oniyo Academy. The main goal of the Academy, named after the father of our own Justice Mustapha Akanbi is in line with the educational objectives of this democratic administration. As a non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan academy, it seeks to encourage each individual to have a better appreciation, a clearer and holistic vision, greater understanding, awareness and total commitment to the development and social needs of his or her immediate environment in particular and the world at large.

The three schools of the academy no doubt will complement the educational policy of the government. The school of General Studies, Skill Development and Training will support the free Universal Basic Education of the Government from Primary School to the Junior Secondary School. Also, the School of Creative Works and writing will augment the senior secondary education in the country. And the school of languages will further develop the understanding of more international languages by Nigerians, which is a requisite for international appointments and understanding.

More importantly, I am particularly pleased with the inauguration of this foundation today because its main objectives are within the purview of the reform policy of this administration.

I am really not surprised, because as the foundation chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi is a true vanguard of a reformed Nigeria.

Hence, the foundation will support the prevention of fraud and irregularities in governance; promote economic emancipation, and sound democratic culture to bring about peace, love and national unity.

However, it is my candid opinion that that the great work of the foundation should be made national so that greater number of Nigerian youths can benefit.

Really, Kwara State has been very lucky to have Justice Mustapha Akanbi, who is among other things a former President of the Court of Appeal. And it is commendable that the great work of the foundation will further boost the good work of the State Governor who is really performing well to complement the reforms programme of the Federal Government.

It is my wish to formally inaugurate this Mustapha Akanbi Foundation to the Glory of God and humanity.

Thank you.

CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, GCFR
PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES
ABUJA.
REPRESENTED BY ALHAJI CHIEF M. A. OLA YUSUF FCA, FCCA