Press Releases

1,100 Days In Office: Fashola Hosts Diplomatic Community
…Urges a revisit of International Legal Order

Jun 2, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday marked his 1100 days in office with an interactive session with members of the diplomatic community, calling for a revisit of the International legal Order to give more roles to Sub-national governments, because of their municipal responsibilities and closeness to the people for whom the rules were made.

The Governor who spoke at the City Hall in Lagos while addressing a gathering of diplomats, political leaders, Civil society organizations and senior journalists sought to know whether the rules made since the establishment of the United Nations in 1948 for the interactions of nations among themselves in the interest of the human race can still be wholly applicable 62 (sixty two) years after, when new challenges that were not contemplated at that time have arisen.

The theme of the 1100 days gathering is "Harnessing Global Partnerships and Opportunities for Rapid Development and Economic Prosperity"

"Such increased participation can only help deepen the extent of interactions at meetings such as these, where more far reaching decisions can be taken by representatives of national governments without reference to the sovereign, where issues which endanger human life for example are involved, as they affect sub-national governance", he added.

He told members of the Diplomatic corps that it is imperative that after the first World Cup in North America in 1994, the first in Asia in 2002, every hand from all parts of the world must be on the plough to ensure the success of the first African World Cup.

Said he: "In my humble view, I think that if there are genuine safety concerns that may affect the first African World Cup, it behoves every country in the world that has the capacity to assist, to offer that assistance to ensure the success of the tournament rather than heighten fears that may affect its success".

Governor Fashola emphasized that the FIFA MTN World Cup cannot be a World Cup if the African edition is not successful.

He added that so many things apart from the World Cup and the oceans connect people of the world in more ways than they have cared to propagate stressing that the success of democracy as the best form of Government known to man is only one of them.

Governor Fashola identified the other threat as threat to the environment, the planet and everything that makes it worthy of existence for us.

In his words: "A few events that some of you are all too aware of, mud slides, rising water levels, volcanic ash, global warming and their trans-boundary effects show that it is no longer important whose fault it is; what is more important is who is better able to find and implement solutions to these imminent dangers".

"The reality is that there may be no strong or weak nation when the full impact of these threats are unleashed, but there can be the preservation of the human race and our civilization if our sense of community is rekindled and we work for each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect and partnership, when Africans are seen for their right of equal membership of this planet, rather than as hungry poverty stricken people who need grants and aid", Governor Fashola explained.

The Governor Fashola posited that the future of the entire planet depends on what happens on the African continent in the next few years, because a sizeable proportion of the resources required by other countries of the world to keep their economies going are sourced from Africa, adding that if Africa dies, the planet will certainly follow.

The Lagos State helmsman reiterated that in the last 1,100 days the administration has been busy making democracy meaningful to the people by raising the standard and quality of life and increasing the participatory process in governance.

In his words: "We have kept our part of the social contract by delivering on every electorate promise that we made, and the citizens have embraced and empowered their Government by voluntary tax compliance, in a way that is somewhat novel in these parts.

"We have deployed these resources in a most methodical and transparent manner using the annual budgets of the State since year 2007 to date as our instrument of policy formulation and implementation, to deliver on the expectations of our people in the areas that we consider the most compelling such as the environment, security, infrastructure renewal, transportation, healthcare delivery, education, water supply, and food security to mention a few. The result has been the creation of access for our people to services that they yearned for but could only dream of.

"Bigger, safer, and more reliable road networks to ease the stress and cost of transportation; cleaner and safer environment that has exploded the myth that Lagos could never be clean, improved security that has seen violent crimes rapidly decline, the addition of about 70 million gallons of water to the supply network in the State in the last few months of this year, with more still to come, the provision of 300 new bed spaces of 100 bed each in 3 (three) different Local Governments, for mothers and children, to address issues of infant and maternal mortality, reconstruction and renovation of schools and class room blocks and the provision of teaching aids coupled with the training of teachers to develop a resourceful human capacity for the future; and the creation of thousands of jobs across sectors in the process".

The Governor said there is now emerging a renewed pride and belief by Lagosians about their State and in its abilities to come through for them saying the projects and renaissance have some direct and indirect impact on the diplomats and on their home countries.

He cited as an example, many Nigerians are already relocating back home to join this initiative to help build the future of the commercial capital of Africa's most populous nation.

The Lagos State helmsman said the success of the initiative holds tremendous promise for African's renaissance and its ability to engage the foreign countries in the quest to keep the planet safe and prosperous saying: "The truth is that if the West, Asia, and other parts of the world could live without Africa and Nigeria, it would have been pointless establishing missions here or posting Your Excellencies here".

Governor Fashola told the audience that the 1,100th day gathering which is the 11th in the series is unique to Lagos, "It is our own public accounting process to stakeholders in our democratic experience; to share progress and challenges with our people and those who our actions affect, in order to promote participation in governance which is a critical ingredient of democracy".

"It is not a celebration. It is a serious business arising from a commitment we made after the frenzy of the first 100 (One Hundred) days, that we will be different and use every 100 days as an accounting day to all sectors of our society", he added.

On what informed the choice of members of the Diplomatic community, Governor Fashola said members of the diplomatic corps are all part of the local community. "We are responsible for your well being. Our actions and inactions will affect you one way or the other".

He expressed happiness that the State Government's interactions with the foreign governments have been largely mutually beneficial, adding that he holds periodic meetings with quite a number of Heads of Missions where they review progress on business between Lagos State and their home corporations and business delegations

"A look at the world map will show that it is the same Atlantic Ocean in the south and north that connects us to Brazil and the United States. To the east of Africa lies the Indian Ocean that connects us to India and many parts of Asia and these two oceans meet at the majestic Cape L'Agulhas, two and a half hours drive from Cape Town, South Africa", Governor Fashola posited.

Governor Fashola in his presentation said in the last 100 days the State Government have been busy handing over completed projects such as Opeloyeru Street, Savage Lane & Savage Street in Orile, Surulere Local Government approximately 1km Okota Itire Link Bridge, Lagos Toll Gate Accident and Emergency Centre, Aerodrome Road, Warehouse Road, Calcutta Crescent, Dualla Road, Kofo Abayomi Road and Itapeje Road all in Apapa Central Business District.

Other projects handed over during the period are a 250 sitting capacity Agelasoh Community Hall, Mini Water Works at Apa, Badagry, Rural Jetty for water transportation at Igbogele in Badagry, Network of roads comprising of Joseph Dosu Road, Market Street and Cemetery Road in Badagry, Drivers' Institute at Badagry, Network of roads comprising Iyana-Ira linking Shibiri , Etegbin, Imude and Ajangbadi-Ilogbo, Mini Water Works at Ajangbadi, Mancity – Olaniyi Road in Ifako Ijaiye, Abule – Egba – Ekoro – Agbelekale Road in Alimosho.

Governor Fashola also reiterated the desire for expertise and partnership in the area of water transportation especially concessionaires who can and wish to operate high capacity ferries between Badore and Ikorodu at the new jetties now being completed while also seeking partnership in the development of our emergency and disaster management response capacities.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele said for a state and an administration that has received commendations and scrutiny at both domestic and international levels and who has also benefitted tremendously from the strategic partnership of many foreign development and donor agencies, it is considered fit and proper that providers of such assistance are kept abreast of the successes.

He added that the members of the Diplomatic missions have been invited and given the pride of place because of the very high esteem the State Government holds them as gateways and windows to the world of international cooperation for economic, environmental and social sustainability.

The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, members of the State Executive Council, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Lagos State Chairman of the Action Congress, Chief Henry Ajomale, businessman Otunba Mohammed Jobi Fele and several other dignitaries.