WHEN Akinwunmi Ambode took the mantle of leadership of the state of excellence from Babatunde Raji Fashola, many thought that it was going to be a big task for the this gentle man to fit into the big shoes his predecessor Babatude Raji Fashola left behind. It is safe to say that after two years on the saddle,this anxiety has been met with great achievements that surpasses the wildest imaginations of critics and supporters alike. The giant strides of the last two years have almost made the eight years of the previous administration, a dessert to the main course of actions and tangible deliverables of public governance by the Ambode administration. Indeed, Lagos has been moving forward in line with the public pact of the administration to her citizen as enshrined in this slogan…itesiwaju ipinle Eko loje wa logun. The fourteenth governor of the Centre of Excellence, Ambode has been able to make remarkable and unbelievable achievements in spite of the national economic recession in the areas of infrastructure, revenue generation, public safety and security of life and properties of Lagosians.
Under his watch, Lagos has a new face. A visit to Berger, Abule-Egba, Ajah, Aboru, Alapere bye- pass and Ojota will convince you. Akinwunmi Ambode, fondly called “Double A” an accomplished chartered accountant, seasoned administrator, and public finance management expert has proven hismself to be a seasoned administrator. During his 27-year stint in the Lagos State Civil Service, he held several sensitive financial positions and rose to become the Accountant-General. Governor Ambode is reputed to be the brain behind the strategic and astronomical increase in Lagos state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N14 billion to more than N200 billion per annum, at a time when the Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo unconstitutionally withheld the federal allocation to Local governments of the State during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Hence, it was no surprise ,therefore, that it would be Akinwunmi Ambode that would be called upon to be the driver of Lagos state economic fortunes when the need to move Lagos state to next level in the face of dwindling national revenue and harsh economic realities of recession.
From the first day in office, Ambode left no one in doubt as regards his commitment improving the fortunes of Lagos . He has been true to most of the promises he made during his campaign two years ago. The 114 Roads’ project, where two roads in each of the 57 local government and development council areas will be constructed/rehabilitated was promptly fulfilled as the project was completed before his first 365days in office. Ambode’s philosophy that a well lit Lagos will reduce crime also saw him light up at least 365 streets across the state. Lagos light-up Initiatives’ has eliminated safe haven of criminals around notorious crime flash points in Lagos.
To assure Lagosians that safety, and security of lives and property is a prority, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode invested heavily in security infrastructure,hardware,software and personnel. The government acquired 10 armored tanks, three helicopters for aerial surveillance and policing, two gun boats, 15 armored personnel carriers and a dozens of Isuzu trucks, immediately he assumed office to greatly empower and embolden the operatives in policing and securing the State. To a large extent Lagos State has been able to combat crime and related offences. His administration has exhibited good governance in the areas of revenue generation drive and management of public funds. The state’s current Internally Generated Revenue has improved tremendously. As at December 2016, the State Government had generated N287 billion in IGR, a whooping N19 billion more than what was generated the year before.
The restructuring of the State’s revenue generating Agency played a major role in achieving this feat. Governor Ambode praised tax-paying citizens in the State for helping in achieving the IGR drive of the state. According to him in one of his public addresses “the tax payers are the ones giving us the little energy that we have and even though when they say that Nigeria is in recession, somehow Lagos has been able to do it and it is because people are paying their taxes”. In terms of deliverables of democratic governance, Ambode’s government delivered on the campaign promise on economic empowerment of Lagosians with the disbursement of N25 billion Employment Trust Fund to artisans in Lagos, irrespective of their tribe, race or religion. While entrepreneurs and players in informal sectors will be empowered annually with N6.25 billion. Under Ambode, Lagos State has diversified her economy in line with the Federal Government Economic Diversification Policy. Despite its shortage of arable land, Lagos State Government bought more hectares of land outside the state for mechanized farming.
The State Government signed a partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kebbi State in March 2016.. During the last yuletide, Lagos-Kebbi (LAKE Rice) was available at various centres across the three senatorial districts in the state. The commodity sold for N12, 000 (50kg bag); N6, 000 (25kg); and N2, 500 (10kg). It was a much needed respite for a population that had been reeling under the impact of economic recession. The LAKE rice triggered the beginning of Nigeria’s agronomics renaissance- a wake-up call to other states. Like the popular saying , ‘Rome was not built in a day’, there is always room for improvement.There are grey areas that still need to be addressed in Lagos state. It is said you are not a success until you have a successor. Today, we have Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to thank for his vision in ensuring that Lagos produces first class brains .We have to thank him for giving us this ‘Itesiwaju’.You will agree t with me hat ‘itesiwaju eko loje wa logun’. • Jide Johnson, Ph.D is the Deputy Provost, NIJ,Lagos.