Speeches

Address Delivered By His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), The Elected Executive Governor Of Lagos State On The Occasion Of His Inauguration

May 29, 2007 - My fellow citizens of Lagos State,

Today, we celebrate a torch passing moment; a fresh opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the cause of a peaceful and prosperous Lagos State. In compliance with your mandate, I am proud to assume the duties of Governor of this State of deep-rooted history, colourful traditions and immense resilience.

In the past eight years especially, the Government of Lagos State has acquired an enviable reputation for its people oriented programmes. In several aspects of development we have led the way for others to follow. We have embraced constitutional democracy and the rule of law with resolute faith and consistency. In the process, and sometimes at great cost, we have been by far the most passionate advocate of wholesome democracy and true federalism in Nigeria. And in so doing we have lit brightly the path of enduring freedom.

For these and many other reasons, I respectfully salute our distinguished leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose exemplary character, courage and dedication to the cause of humanity have given us such an illustrious legacy. His tenacity of purpose, passion for democratic ideals and indomitable spirit all give us a rich source from which to draw strength and inspiration. Your Excellency, we shall still be looking to you for guidance and advice as we go along this journey of challenges.

With our determination to protect and advance this great heritage, I have no doubt that the coming years portend for us vast opportunities as well as the prospects of wonderful achievements. The way is clear; we have the will and, by the Grace of God almighty, we shall succeed. I’m not unaware of the daunting challenges, but neither am I afraid to confront them.

Lagos is a State of immense possibilities, many of which we have seen flower in the past eight years. We have here the highest concentration of human beings in the smallest landmass in Africa. Our soil is rich and our waters are bountiful. The spirit of enterprise and the enthusiasm of our people know no bounds. In learning we stand among the best in the world, in creativity and innovation we are a people of great renown.

I am convinced that with the leadership that you have now elected so overwhelmingly on the platform of our great party, the Action Congress, Lagos State will stay the course and accelerate its pace toward that standard of living of which our people are so deserving.

My fellow citizens, In seeking to meet your aspirations within the shortest possible period, my administration will pay particular attention to the core areas of education and the development of quality human capital; job creation and support for private enterprise; infrastructural development; public transportation; crime fighting; justice delivery; healthcare and the environment.

It goes without saying that good education is the bedrock of all civilisations. We therefore undertake to continue the ongoing educational reforms which have lifted our public schools to new levels of excellence. Science and Technology will feature prominently on our agenda. In our schools and other public institutions, we will tap into the enormous potentials which Information Technology and Computer Education have to offer. This is imperative not just for societal development but as a way of preparing our young ones for the challenges of the 21st century global job market.
To this end, we will improve the welfare and working tools of teachers and we will assist them to attain higher levels of qualification and competence. With ongoing collaborative efforts on the part of government, parents and teachers we are already breaking down the fear that parents have of sending their children to public schools in Lagos State. In the coming years, this process of transformation will be further accelerated.

We acknowledge the contributions of several private schools which have also assisted in boosting the standard of education in Lagos State. We shall do all we can to assist them while continuing to pay close attention to our regulatory duties and the maintenance of set standards.

Whilst paying due attention to education, we are also determined to create more job opportunities for residents of Lagos State. During my term of office, Lagos will remain a pro-business city state. We already have a tradition of developing systems which serve the needs of the public and, at the same time, offer enormous job potentials for the unemployed. The Highway Managers, Transport Management Authority and the KAI Brigade are shining examples. In the coming years, we shall continue to partner with the private sector, the new Federal Government and the local government councils to create even more of these structures.

As we maintain and expand our road network, increase the available stock of housing, build more classrooms for the public schools, modernize our public buildings and establish an integrated transportation system with bus rapid, light rail and ferry services, I have no doubt that more opportunities will ensue to keep our youths gainfully employed. In the rural areas of Lagos State, we expect that our farmer assistance programme will also bring about a massive increase in farming activities and the local processing of primary farm produce.

Fellow citizens of Lagos State and distinguished ladies and gentlemen, crime is one societal ill of which the generality of the people suffer alike, irrespective of status. I am aware of the crime situation in many parts of the State and I find it unacceptable. While we struggle for the necessary constitutional amendments that would give us a State Police, we shall not stand idly by. Whatever the circumstance, my administration will have zero tolerance for crime. I believe that this is a necessity. Our primary duty as a government is to ensure security of lives and property for all residents and the due enforcement of the laws of Lagos State.

In this regard, we shall continue to cooperate with the Nigeria Police and assist the State Command with necessary logistics and finance to enable them function effectively. To complement these efforts, we shall strengthen those State institutions like LASTMA and the KAI Brigade which exist for the monitoring and enforcement of specific rules and regulations.

I realise that it is vain to advocate law and order in the absence of effective law enforcement and a transparent justice system. Indeed, the sustenance of democracy and progressive societal development depends squarely on a fair and unencumbered access to justice. In the past eight years, our justice sector has attained remarkable improvements. This is the result of improved training and welfare programmes for judicial personnel, provision of modern courtroom facilities and considerable improvement of the procedural rules. As expected, this has brought about a faster and fairer justice delivery in Lagos State.

However, much still remains to be done, especially at the Magistrates’ and Customary Court levels. I therefore look forward to working with the Honourable Chief Judge and other members of the State Judiciary towards the further elevation of standards of justice delivery in Lagos State.

Fellow citizens of Lagos State, the state of our environment is another issue of major concern. The task of creating a better habitat for ourselves and our children cannot be left to government alone. We must all play our part in order to enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, safer, better organised Lagos. Some of the more unpleasant experiences of our city life are aggravated by habitual defiance of law and order. It is time for us all to take more responsibility, not only for ourselves and for our families but also for our communities and our State. By individual and corporate examples, we can influence the future. Let us from this day take pride in and better care of our environment. In this way we are sure to see a better Lagos in the shortest possible time.

On our part, my government will continue to do all that is necessary to enforce the town planning and environmental laws whilst taking forward the waste to wealth programme instituted by our predecessors in office.

Without any doubt, government has a big role to play in healthcare delivery. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown the way with the redevelopment of our public hospitals and, especially, the teaching hospital of the Lagos State University. It was a delight to see a young crop of qualified doctors coming forth with such zeal from this youthful but most modern institution.

My administration will vigorously advance the efforts to improve and keep in good repair our public hospitals. The welfare of health workers will be taken most seriously. By creating the right atmosphere, installing the necessary tools and building up a happy workforce in our healthcare institutions, we shall continue to improve the standard of healthcare delivery and make hospitals in Lagos State a continental model.

Concerning our local government councils, we acknowledge them as the tier of government that is most intimately linked with the people at the level of our basic needs. We shall therefore create the right atmosphere to maintain the independence of this tier of government whilst co-operating with them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities in the most efficient and productive ways.

In implementing all these objectives, there can be no doubt that we have to rely on the contributions which you make by way of taxation. With all sense of responsibility, I urge you not to shirk this crucial social duty. This is a government you can trust. All over the world, it is taxes that empower governments to cater for the people, restore social equilibrium and achieve other objectives for the improvement of society. We will therefore consult with the organised private sector as we take steps to remove all bottlenecks that exist in the tax assessment and collection process so as to ensure that private businesses and individuals discharge their social responsibilities with minimum effort.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen; our traditional rulers, party leaders, colleagues and friends in and outside the public service who are too numerous to mention have all joined hands to make this day possible. With its progressive ideals, clear and people-oriented manifesto, astute planning and methodical organisation, the Action Congress has proved itself to be the party of the future.

This is due mainly to the hard work and selfless disposition of our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our party Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale and his team. Our victory at the polls is also a testimony to the industry and patience of all our party members, polling agents in every booth and ordinary residents of Lagos State who defied all odds to stand firm in favour of our party. I celebrate and thank you all. I assure you that your efforts shall not be in vain.
In spite of our ideological differences, the political parties in Lagos State endeavoured to participate in the elections in peace. That is the spirit of true democracy. We now offer all of them a hand of fellowship. It is time for us all to work together to better the lives of our people. Let us see this day as God has ordained it - the beginning of great things to come for our State.

I reserve special mention for Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, in acknowledgment of her marvellous contributions to the lives of Lagosians through her personal touch of grace and kindness. Without doubt, the Spelling Bees competition, Governor for a Day, leadership camps and several other impactful activities of the New Era Foundation added a unique character to the Tinubu administration. May God continue to bless and be with you.

We are also very grateful to our local and international partner organisations. Your contributions in the past have assisted us in no small measure. We therefore look forward to an even more fruitful engagement in future.

To all Lagosians of all faiths, male and female, young and old, I seek your cooperation as we embark upon this great journey. Let us, as the holy books say, live in peace and love our neighbours as ourselves. Let us discharge our duties to the State with hope and good cheer. Let us promote that which is good and denounce that which is bad.

While thanking you all for giving me this opportunity, I want to assure you that you have chosen a government that cares; a government with a clear vision of where we are and where we want to be; a government with a clear compelling purpose from which its priorities shall logically flow.

Fellow citizens of Lagos State, today as we commence this journey together, I, Babatunde Raji Fashola, assure you of a Brighter, Rewarding Future.

This is my pledge before God and before you all.

“Eko o ni baje o!”

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)