Tag: Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State was created in 1967. Between then and now, it has produced 14 governors. Today, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be the 15th governor, following his inauguration. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU profiles the governors.

In 52 years, Lagos State has produced 15 governors; nine military rulers and six civilians. Historically, both during military and civilian regimes, the governors have been role models among their colleagues from other states of the federation.

 

Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (1967-1975):

Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson (born February 9, 1936) was Army Brigadier military governor from May 1967 to July 1975 during the regime of General Yakubu Gowon. His administration supervised the unpopular demolition of Ajele Cemetery in the early 1970s.

Johnson’s tenure saw the building of major infrastructure in Lagos State.

He was first appointed by Aguiyi-Ironsi as the administrator of the Federal Capital Territory of Lagos in 1966. He was involved in developing the civil service. Johnson was initially assisted in running the state by some key civil servants, including Administrative Secretary, Adeyemi-Bero, Finance Secretary, Folarin Coker, and the acting secretary to the Military Government, Howson Wright and waited until April 1968 before appointing his commissioners.

In 1975, at the inception of the Gen Murtala Mohammed administration Johnson was one of the two governors (along with the Brig Oluwole Rotimi) found not guilty of corruption by the three-man panel set up to investigate the various allegations of corruption amongst the State Governors.

He retired from the Nigerian Army in 1975 and went into private business.

A road, an avenue, and a sports complex in Mobalaji’s home state bear his name as well as a Housing Scheme at Lekki both in Lagos.

 

Navy Cmdr. Adekunle Lawal (1975-1977):

Adekunle Shamusideen Lawal (February 8, 1934 – November 1980) was a Nigerian Naval Admiral who served as governor  from 1975 to 1977 and military governor of Imo State from 1977 to 1978.

One of the major challenges faced by his administration was managing the chaotic traffic problem in the state. During the World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, he implemented an odd-even rationing traffic system to ease congestion in the state. Car owners whose license plates begining with even numbers were not allowed on most streets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and those with odd numbers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Lawal voluntarily retired from the  Navy in 1979, and after an illness, he died in November 1980.

 

Navy Cmdr. Ndubuisi Kanu (1977-1978):

Real Admiral Kanu was appointed governor of Imo State in March 1976 during the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. He was the first governor after the decree that established the state from part of the old East Central State. He was transferred to Lagos State in 1977, leaving office in July 1978.

After he retired, he joined the pro-democracy movement and played a leading role in the agitation for the actualisation of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

In May 2008, Kanu called for a return to true federalism in Nigeria. He objected to unitarism, the excessive concentration of powers at the centre, and called for fundamental dialog among the ethnic nationalities of Nigeria.

Read also: Sanwo-Olu: The road to Alausa

Navy Cmdr. Ebitu Ukiwe (1978-1979):

Ukiwe was a member of the Supreme Military Council between 1975 and 1977. General Obasanjo appointed him military governor of Niger State in 1977. He was re-deployed to Lagos state as administrator in July 1978, holding this post until October 1979. He also in the SMC under General Muhammadu Buhari from 1983 to 1985, while serving as Flag Officer, Western Naval command. He was appointed Director, Naval Faculty, Jaji (1981-1984) and Flag Officer, Western Naval Command (1984-1985). He became the Chief of General Staff in 1985 under General Ibrahim Babangida. He retired with the rank of Commodore in January 1987 after falling out with Babangida.

After retirement, he joined the pro-democracy group, supporting Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the president-elect in the June 1993 elections.

Ukiwe unsuccessfully wanted to be the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

 

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande(1979-1983):

Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, (born 23 July 1929) was a journalist who became governor from 1979 to 1983, and later was Minister of Works under the Sani Abacha military regime (1993-98).

Lateef Kayode Jakande was born in the Epetedo area of Lagos State 29 July 1929. His parents were from Omu-Aran, Kwara State. He studied at the Lagos public school at Enu-Owa, Lagos Island, then at Bunham Memorial Methodist School, Port Harcourt (1934-43).

Encouraged by Awolowo, he ran for election as executive governor of Lagos State in 1979, on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform. He defeated his opponents, Adeniran Ogunsanya of NPP and Sultan Ladega Adeniji Adele of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and was subsequently sworn in as governor. His administration was effective and open and implemented the cardinal policies of his party. He introduced housing and educational programs targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education. He established the Lagos State University. Jakande’s government constructed over 30,000 housing units. The schools and housing units were built cheaply, but were of great value. Some of the housing units include low cost estates in Amuwo-Odofin, Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Badagry. To fund some of the projects, Jakande increased the tenement rates and price of plots of land in affluent areas of Victoria Island and Lekki Peninsula and the processing fees for lottery, pools and gaming licenses. He also completed the construction of the General Hospital in Gbagada and Ikorodu and built about 20 health centres within the state. As a governor, he established 23 local government councils which were later disbanded by the military. He also started a metroline project to facilitate mass transit. The project was halted and his tenure as Governor ended when the military seized power on 31 December 1983.

 

Air Cmdr. Gbolahan Mudashiru (1984-1986):

As governor, he continued the work of his predecessor, Jakande, in improving school infrastructure and the standards of teaching. He also introduced improved measures to keep the streets clean and orderly. He attempted to ban street traders, but without success. He set up committees to review the Lagos Metro line project initiated by Jakande, which recommended going ahead with the project, but it was cancelled on the orders of the Head of State, General Buhari. After a major fire devastated in Oko-Baba area of Ebute Meta, Mudasiru initiated construction of a medium Income Housing Estate. After he left office, construction of schools ceased and existing buildings were no longer maintained.

Mudasiru died in London on September 23, 2003.

 

Navy Captain Mike Okhai Akhigbe (1986-1988):

Akhigbe (September 29, 1946 – October 13, 2013) was a Vice Admiral in the Nigerian Navy who served as de facto Vice President of Nigeria (Chief of General Staff) during the General Abdusalami Abubakar military government from 1998 till the termination of military government in 1999. He served as Military Governor of Ondo State from 1985 to 1986, and Military Governor of Lagos State from 1986 to 1988, after which he was appointed Chief of Naval Staff, and subsequently the Chief of General Staff, the highest-ranking military officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Armed forces. He died in the US on 28 October 2013.

 

Brig-Gen. Raji Alagbe Rasaki (1988-1991):

Rasaki was military governor of Ogun State (1986-87) before his re-deployment to Lagos State in 1988. He embarked on a massive demolition  of illegal structures to rid the state of shanties. That singular act resulted in the re-vitalization of Lagos, and a boom in the real estate market. It also earned him the nickname of “acsion governor” (action governor), a mockery of the way in which he referred to himself.

 

Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola (1992- 1993):

He became governor in the Third Republic on the platform of the defunct National Republican, Convention (NRC). He fought the infrastructure battle in housing.

The Michael Otedola College of Primary Education was named after him after his demise.

 

Col. Olagunsoye Oyinlola (1993-1996):

He was appointed the military administrator of Lagos State from December 1993 till August 1996, during the administration of General Sani Abacha. In June 1996, Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election Chief MKO Abiola, was assassinated on the road between his office and that of the Canadian High Commission.

He retired with the rank of Brigadier-General in 1999.

 

Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (1996-1999):

From 1996 to 1999, Marwa was Military Governor of Lagos State. During his administration, he implemented programs such as “Operation 250 Roads,” which greatly improved motoring conditions. He revamping public health institutions, and ensured that free malaria treatment that was available to all. His administration upgraded infrastructure in poor neighborhoods. He proclaimed an edict to regulate rents, stopping the “Jankara” method of eviction of tenants and ensuring that due process was followed. Marwa was well respected in Lagos because of “Operation Sweep,” a joint police and military venture that helped reduce Lagos’ notorious crime rate.

In May 1998, Mohammed Buba Marwa imposed fuel rationing in Lagos State in an attempt to tackle petrol shortages and reduce chronic queuing at petrol stations. In July 1998, Marwa opened a new asphalt plant in Lagos, the largest in Nigeria.

 

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (1999-2007):

Tinubu, (Jagaban of Borgu) was born on March 29, 1952. He attended St. John’s Primary School, Aroloya, Lagos and Children’s Home School in Ibadan, South West of Nigeria. Tinubu went to the United States in 1975, where he studied at Richard J. Daley College in Chicago, Illinois, and Chicago State University. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Tinubu worked for the American companies–Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells, and GTE Services Corporation. After returning to Nigeria in 1983, Bola Tinubu joined Mobil Oil Nigeria, and later became an executive of the company.

His political career began in 1992, on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party. He was a member of the Peoples Front, led by Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and the group made up of other politicians such as Dapo Sarumi, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Yomi Edu). He was elected into the Nigerian Senate, representing the Lagos West District in the short-lived Third Republic. After the results of the 12 June 1993 presidential elections were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition, a group which mobilised support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the results. He went into exile in 1994 and returned in 1998 after the death of the military dictator, Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule.

Tinubu won the AD primaries for the Lagos State governorship elections. In January 1999, he was elected.

When he assumed office in May 1999, Tinubu promised 10,000 housing units for the poor. During the eight-year period of his being in office, he made large investments in education in the state. He also initiated new road construction to meet the needs of the fast-growing population.

Tinubu, alongside a new deputy governor, Femi Pedro, won re-election in April 2003. All other states in the South West fell to the PDP in the elections.

He was involved in a struggle with the Federal Government over whether Lagos State had the right to create new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to meet the needs of its large population. The controversy led to the Federal government’s seizure of funds meant for local councils in the state.

 

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN (2007 -2015):

He studied Law at the University of Benin from where he graduated in 1987.

He was Chief of Staff to his predecessor, Asiwaju Tinubu. Fashola had during his tenure as Chief of Staff also dubbed as the Commissioner in the Governor’s Office.

Fashola commenced a four-year tenure on May 29, 2007. In June 2007, Babatunde Fashola appointed former Inspector General of Police Musiliu Smith head of the Lagos State Security council.

Babatunde Fashola rehabilitate some schools.

The biggest task Fashola faced was his visionary project to transform Lagos into a mega city, the first of its kind in Lagosian history. Although initialised under  Tinubu, in June 2002, the mega project task accelerated under Fashola’s governorship. Both private and public sectors are involved in fulfilling the project.

 

Ayodele Awojobi Memorial Park, Onike Round-about, Yaba, Lagos.

In October 2009, Babatunde Fashola posthumously dedicated a garden personally, in honour of the memory of late professor Ayodele Awojobi at Onike Roundabout, Yaba, Lagos, with a statue of the famous academic erected at the centre. Artists of repute such as Oladejo Victor Akinlonu has commended the Governor on a job well done on the various value enhancement and beautification of Lagos state being a pioneer in the beautification of the state since the 80’s Oladejo enjoined artists to work with the Governor Oladejo’s works such as the eyo masquerade and the Bust of Sir Alexander Molade Okoya Thomas where commissioned by the Governor.

 

Haiti earthquake fund-raising

See also: 2010 Haiti earthquake

As soon as Haiti was struck by a magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, Babatunde Fashola launched an appeal to raise up to one million US dollars. The funds raised were used to assist the victims of the Haiti quake. As this was in place, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said Nigerians should be prepared in events of natural disasters.

 

Water safety

In May 2014, Fashola announced the compulsory use of life jackets on Lagos waterways.[19] In a 2012 accident, ten children from Ijora Awori, Lagos State, drowned while they were being ferried to school, because they were not wearing life jackets.

 

 

Eyes are on Babajide Sanwo-Olu as he assumes the reins today as the sixth governor of Lagos State. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on his emergence as an All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant and candidate, and the hurdles he crossed before his victory at the poll.

He could be described as a man of destiny. A year ago, he was not in contention for governor. He only focused on his job as the Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC). In the leadership hierarchy of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), eyes were not on him for any role in the foreseeable future. His popularity was limited to his antecedent as a former special adviser and commissioner.

But, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu had one thing going for him. His loyalty is not in doubt. The APC chieftain is loyal to the party, its organizational structure and its leadership. He is tested and trusted. Little did he guess that the reward for political fidelity was in the offing. The time to fulfil his destiny was ripe during the last electioneering. As the Lagos APC family proposed change, Sanwo-Olu became the symbol of the clamour. The aged, youths, women and other stakeholders were falling upon one another to embrace his ambition and endorse his candidature. He understood the motivation for the intra-party agitation and yearnings of the party faithful. Thus, he summed them up under a big headline: inclusion. Sanwo-Olu visited all party leaders, party officers, elders, office holders, religious leaders, other Lagos opinion leaders, women groups, artisan, and peasants with a new message. In the party, he preached unity and cohesion. Turning to Lagosians, he urged trust, confidence and faith in the ability of the ruling APC to continue to deliver in the Centre of Excellence. He gave hope to the youths and reassure women that he will cater for their needs. Many people believe his promises and words of assurance.

The only resistance came from the incumbent he was destined to succeed. The battle line was, therefore, drawn. There was a grand design to ridicule him through some highly inflammable remarks, which only those who wielded the power of incumbency could make and go scot free. As the primary drew closer, Sanwo-Olu was described as an unsuitable candidate. Allegations of inexplicable fraud and unstable mental state filled the air. Party supporters and, indeed, Lagosians dismissed them as a tissue of lies and products of malicious politicking. On daily basis, the former Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions was waxing stronger. His strength lied in his power of ideas, persuasion, focus and reliance on the Almighty God.

The Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organisation (BOSCO) office at the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ikeja became a Mecca of sorts. The campaign manager, Tayo Ayinde, and his team were up and doing. Various sub-committees were found and assigned duties which they discharged creditably. Gradually, Sanwo-Olu’s supporters became a movement.

Read also: Challenges before Sanwo-Olu

On the day of the primary, he was on the popularity scale. Ahead of the exercise, he had traversed the party, explaining his vision and mission. He was calm and calculated. His knowledge of the party paid off. People recalled his earlier involvement in government and governance, right from when he was invited to be an aide to former Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro to his last assignment at the LSDPC, and nothing incriminating was found against him. On the podium, he was agile; vocal and full of incisive wit. The outcome of the shadow poll underscored his popularity and the love of the faithful for him. On that note, the days of Akinwunmi Ambode were numbered in the Alausa Government House.

Having secured the ticket, Sanwo-Olu was locked in sober reflection. The flag bearer waved the olive branch, urging the supporters of his rival to sheathe their swords. He said that the primary was over, enjoining them to focus on the governorship poll. Since he knew that he could not do it alone, he called for understanding, dialogue and reconciliation. He urged those who sought party tickets during the parliamentary primaries not to lose hope. They were co-opted into the campaign organisation. He also tried to pacify those who lost out during the local government elections.

The campaigns were not a tea party. Although the first rally at the Airway Ground, Ikeja was disrupted, it did not stop the APC campaigns. The door-to-door campaigns were also effective. Sanwo-Olu and his team met all stakeholders across the five divisions of Lagos, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu and Ikeja. He also held meetings with stakeholders across the tree senatorial districts. In all the places he went, he was hailed as the incoming governor. Joy was bold on the people who promised to vote for him.

The opponent, Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), looked formidable. But, his fragile party had been hit by a gale of defections and intra-party squabbles ahead of the election. Although the umpire noted that the poll was marred by a sort of apathy, the APC candidate triumphed over his PDP rival. Shortly before the announcement of results by the chief returning officer, Agbaje called Sanwo-Olu to concede defeat and congratulate him. There was jubilation at the APC office along Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja as the flag bearer broke the news to party elders and leaders were in the office of the party chairman, Tunde Balogun

At 54, Sanwo-Olu becomes a state property as governor of Lagos, a mini-country shouldering heavy national, sub-regional and continental responsibilities. There is no family in Nigeria that is not represented in Lagos. The state is noted for its accommodation as the former federal capital and economic hub. Although Lagos is rich in terms of its Internally General Revenue (IGR), which is aroundN33 billion monthly, it is poor because of the massive dosage of responsibilities. There is pressure on the social infrastructure. Experts are concerned about the population explosion triggered by the influx of many people in search of real and imagined greener pastures.

While he is expected to endow the exalted seat with honour, integrity and visibility by building on the achievements of his predecessors, he is also expected to learn from their shortcomings. The challenges that confronted them will still confront him. The strategies they adopted in tackling the challenges are not too far to seek. The governor fully understands the blue print or 24 year-Development Plan. In 2023, Sanwo-Olu will give an account of his stewardship.

The governor was born in June 25, 1965 in Lagos. He is a graduate of the cosmopolitan University of Lagos, Akoka, where he studied Surveying. He also attended the London Business School, the Lagos Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Sanwo-Olu also earned an MBA degree from UNILAG. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).

Sanwo-Olu is not a politician without a second address. He was the Treasurer at former Lead Merchant Bank from 1994 to 1997. He also worked with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) as the Head of Foreign Money Market. At the First Inland Bank, Plc (now First City Monument Bank), he was a Deputy General Manager and Divisional Head. In private business, he was also a success. Sanwo-Olu was the Chairman of Baywatch Group Limited and First Class Group Limited. He is a board member of the Department for International Development (DFID/DEEPEN) Fund and Audit Committee of Caverton Offshore Services Group, PLC.

Since 2003, he had placed his hand on the plough and never looked back. Although he entered joined the Tinubu administration as a technocrat, when was appointed a Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to Pedro, he later learned the ropes. He served as Acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, and later, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in 2007. In 2007, he was appointed as Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions by former Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN). In 2016, Ambode appointed him as Managing Director/CEO of LSDPC. His achievements include the supervision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Privatization Projects. He also played a great role in the setting up of the Lagos Security Trust Fund. He served as its pioneer board chairman. The LAGBUS System and the Control and Command Centre in Alausa were also part of his initiatives.

On September 16, last year, he threw his hat into the ring when he declared his intention to run for governor. He was endorsed by the Lagos APC Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the three senators from Lagos, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members from Lagos State. Later, another aspirant, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who later emerged as his running mate, withdrew from the governorship race. After winning the primary on October 2, no fewer than 63 political parties, and other organisations and groups endorsed his candidature.

Sanwo-Olu is a recipients of many awards and honours. They include the Platinum Award from the Lagos State Public Service Club, 2009 Best in Human Capital Development award from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Merit award from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Merit award from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria (CIPMN), Merit Award from the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), and LSDPC Impactful Leadership and Recognition Award.

Sanwo-Olu is married with children to Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.

 

Lagos State Governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu spoke with reporters in Lagos on the challenges his administration will tackle immediately after his swearing in on Wednesday. Group Political Editor emmanuel OLADESU and Wale Ajetunmobi report.

HOW has it been after election?

I moved into this new office after my victory at the polls to have a comfort place. The office has its own fair share of pressure, because it was initially designed for 20 people. But, we discovered the office now hosts more than 100 people on a daily basis, which points to the fact that Lagosians are intelligent and believe they have contributions to make to the incoming government. We have been hosting brilliant and intelligent people who have great ideas and suggestions for the government that is coming in. As we promised during the campaign, we are going to run a listening government. We will open our doors to anyone who truly has ideas or contributions to make. These people have been coming on their own will and we have set up various sub-committees on each of the pillars in our manifesto called ‘Project Theme.’ And people have gone into areas where they feel hey are more confortable. They have brought out great ideas after days of deliberations. Some of them learnt the process of governance and how not to over-promise, knowing the realities on the ground. Over the period, we have had several government agencies also come in to also share ideas with us; to tell us the realities of their areas of activities and some of their intending programmes. These interactions have made my job as governor a bit bigger ,but a lot more strategic and focus. I am going to be owning all of the ideas and suggestions as the leader of the incoming government.

What is your assessment of the peogressive administrations in Lagos in the last 20 years?

It’s been worth for us as progressives, and more importantly, it’s been worth it for Lagosians. If we want to be fair in our assessment, 20 years ago, this is not the kind of Lagos we had back then. Lagos was neither the 5th nor the 6th largest economy in Africa 20 years ago. Lagos did not have this kind of larger population and the state didn’t have a lot of the things that it has now in infrastructure, health, education and of course, this kind of busy traffic was never there back then. Under our watch, Lagos has grown to be one of the biggest megacities in the world. This has come with huge opportunities and, of course, a lot of challenges. The progressives have held their turf very well. The progressives have created wealth for Lagosians; they have built structures and bridges and other infrastructure all around Lagos. They have developed people and the condition of health facilities have improved. The revenue of the state has astronomically been enhanced through quality governance and representation. When they started in 1999, history showed that there was only a little over N600 million that was being generated. Tens of billions have been generated now. The question is, are the generated revenues are enough to cater for today’s challenges? It is not. But, in terms of growth, we have seen leaps and bounds of growth. People are coming from different parts of this country to live and stay in Lagos as a choice. The truth is that, it’s been good to all of them. The first government that governed Lagos in this republic was the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which brought first class technocrats to government and you all saw the results. You saw the great things all those technocrats did and I can humbly tell you that I was part of that team. That team of technocrats has thrown up people at the highest level of decision making in this country. Some have moved on to become governors to run states; some others are in higher level of governance. If we look back and see some of those great things that have come out of this small Lagos, whose size is lesser, then you can say that the progressives have done well. But, can we do better? Yes, that is why I am sitting here. I believe we can deliver more great things quicker and faster.

How would you manage public expectations, given that some of your campaign promises won’t be achieved immediately?

I saw the checklist of to-do projects that is being sent across to people, with the notion that such list emanated from my office. The reality is that, the list and the timelines attached to each item did not emanate from my campaign office; it is fake news. But, I don’t see it as bad thing when people push you. The truth is, you allow a child to crawl before he walks. However, we will not  shy away from our promises to the people. I can assure you that, in the next 90 days, we will have a working government. In all the cabinet appointments and other appointments we need to make, we will do that very quickly. We should begin to see huge solutions in our traffic management scheme. That are some that we would have solved in the first quarter, and there are some we will still be working on. In infrastructure, we are entering into the season of rain. If we want to do some extension or some layby, rain cannot allow you so much. When it is raining, you can’t pour concrete. When you do that, you need the sun for it to dry. So, some of these issues will come up. In terms of design and those corridors that need traffic improvement, we would have done all of that. In terms of places we need to increase waste management solution, we would have done all of that. In the first three months, we would have rolled out loads of waste bags which people will see. Like I mentioned during the campaign, sorting of waste materials will start from our kitchens. When we bring them out and we have a work in progress by the PSP, I imagine we would have made some capital expense in terms of procurement of new compactors. But, that will take a while to come into the country; however, we would have made some commitment within those time. Like I also said, the solution to Apapa gridlock. I believe we would have solved it. But, the sustenance of it, if we are not careful, the trailers would keep coming in and out on a sustainable basis. It is going to cost the Lagos government more money to put people on the axis to prevent the trailers from blocking the way. We will also be looking at the civil service, because all the lofty programmes we are talking about will be implemented by professionals in the civil service. In terms of capacity development and skill gap, we need to identify where we are in our public service, so that we can put right people and develop right competencies that will take ownership of all these solutions that we are talking about. In areas of health, education and infrastructure, we would probably have rolled out a more detailed plan, as to what we need to do right to ensure growth in our education is improved. A strategy would have been clearly crafted out to show us what we need to do as soon as children come back to school in September of 2019. In the health sector, the collaboration we need to have with the private sector to ensure that health is accessible will be in place; affordability of it might still be a challenge in terms of identifying the vulnerable people. But, accessibility is something we need to deal with very quickly. On infrastructure, I believe within the first quarter, we would have a more developed plan as to what areas, which new road we need to build and in what area. At that time, we will certainly be planning for next year’s budget. All of those plans will begin to be implemented very quickly. In the power sector, I imagine that in 90 days, we would have had a clear-cut policy with all the DISCOs and the GENCOs on how we must ensure that Lagos gets powered efficiently.

Multiple taxes have been said to have discouraged the growth of MSMEs,  How do you want to institute accountability in the fiscal policy of state?

During the campaigns, I had the opportunity to meet a large number of young people who are innovative. I had interaction with about 6,000 of them at different fora. One of the things we said to them was that, we would be looking at the things within our control as a government, such as incubator centres that we need to create for entrepreneurs in the tech area. In terms of financing and support, how well do we get our state-owned employment trust fund to quickly identify more serious beneficiaries and support them with grants or loans they require. I believe we need to increase our numbers. We should be able to put these innovative young people in different sectors and value chain to ensure that they are doing everything by themselves. There will be incubator centres and there will be clusters that we need to develop. We will work with Central Bank, because some of the things that slow down the progress of these innovators are not within the government’s control. How well will all of the grants and loans which the Central Bank has been talking about; how accessible are they? The commercial banks that have SME packages, how truly well are they going to support this cause? Those conversations must come from that angle. If you are just having a small tailoring service at your house, it may be difficult for the governor to solve your own immediate problem, which could be lack of power supply in your small shop. To pull resources together and create a tailoring section in Obalende, for instance, many small-scale tailors would have access to the facility and get their jobs done. This is the kind of innovative solution we will do. We will for a place where 300 tailors are clustered around a place and can share resources. We can develop a power solution for them, as against developing a power solution to each one of them. So, we expect these people to identify key players in the sector they belong and create partnership. One they come together, it is easier for the government to intervene and engage them collectively.

One accountability and openness in our fiscal policy, I believe the government has started publishing its budget. We will sustain that. Beyond that, we will quarterly review our budget performance. People can ask us questions about things we said we are doing every three months. In terms of transparency, Lagos has a procurement law and agency. It is for the people in charge to ensure details of the state finances are made accessible for the public. The moment you let people know how you are running the government on quarterly basis, issues around transparency reduces. Before you get to the end of the second quarter, ensure that you have audited account.

In terms of multiple taxes killing MSMEs, I don’t believe that is true. It is a matter of perception. It is not true. There is no tax that doesn’t have a law component to it. Taxation is a function of the law. If the law is faulty, let’s go back to it. Maybe you can talk about the mode of collection of these taxes; it might be what we need to change. That has to do with culture. So, we need to correct the narrative that there is no multiple taxation anywhere.

You must have been briefed about the list of uncompleted projects that will be left behind by the outgoing administration. Would you give these projects priority when you assume office?

There have been several interactions we have had with the outgoing government through the transition committee and we have seen documents in terms of projects being undertaken by the government. The documents didn’t give us clear indication of the state of the projects. But, let me leave it as that. However, in terms of completion, it is certain that we will accord priority to these projects because what doesn’t get completed doesn’t get done. We will ensure that we complete them.

There has been anxiety among Lagosians about the Land Use  Charge. Do you plan to review the law when you come on board?

Yes, we are going to look at the law again, but with a lot of consultations. It has to be collaborative by ensuring stakeholders’ engagement. We are going to look at it in such a way that all players in various sectors will sit together and find an agreeable solution. But, people must know that we cannot eat an omelette without breaking the egg. For us to be able to achieve all the lofty things we have rolled out in our plan, revenue has to come from somewhere. We will certainly not do things that will have negative effects on our people. So, we will review the Land Use law positively and this will be done in consultation with stakeholders.

What kind of style should Lagosians expect from you as their leader?

At my age, I don’t think it is right for me to change what people have known about me because of an office. I have no other style to bring forth than to be humble and remain accessible. I will be very engaging. I want people to have a voice in my government. Once people have their say in government, it is the duty of the leader to take people’s suggestions and ideas to introduce a new dimension to issues. If the suggested ideas won’t make any meaningful impact on the process of government and the wellbeing of the people, I will take my time to explain why such idea would not be entertained. We will maintain the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, by fostering respect and harmony among all shades of people who are resident in Lagos. I will be a governor to everybody living in Lagos.

Your government is taking off on a note of a lean treasury…

I don’t know what the numbers are, but as a financially-savvy person, I believe we need to be creative in our fiscal management. No matter how prosperous a state or a nation might be, money will never be enough. But, we cannot continue to give excuses to the people who elected us. There are creative ways in which you can source finance to achieve all the things you set to achieve. For as long as you are sincere and people can see your charge-out, money will look for you. Globally, that is how it moves. Money will move from people that they believe need it most. All they need to do is just a risk assessment of the person getting the money, the project being financed and the environment in which the investment will be made. Once you are able to reduce or mitigate against some of those risks, funding will come.

What are your plans for agriculture?

We have been a mono-product economy, but the Federal Government has made a few attempts in the last four years to diversify the economy. I believe those efforts are beginning to yield some results. I think we need to comment the Federal Government for that, especially in agriculture. The outgoing government in Lagos State too took a bold step to introduce a 32 tonnes per day Imota Rice Mill. That has started. For me, I believe that project will be very critical in our agriculture value chain. We need to look for resources to complete that project very quickly. I understand there are huge containers of equipment littered in the port. We need to quickly fix that. What it means is that, if we have that mill working by the end of this year or next year, 32 tonnes means that we actually can produce rice which not only Lagos will be consuming, but one or two other states will consume too. The feedback of that in the value chain is that, we will now need to have parley with neighbouring states, since Lagos doesn’t have agro-area due to the size and pressure on our land. We will collaborate with our fellow government in the Southwest and see how we can share boundary land and produce rice. We can reduce the transportation cost of having to bring rice from up North. If we do it well, that is a major economy we are developing. We can move to the next one, which is aquaculture, poultry, and fishing. There is an opportunity with the Central Bank, and I have read their books. All you need to do is to put people in clusters and let them be able to access single-digit funding to upscale their capacity in production of these agro-products.

How would your government tackle flood and fix potholes that cause major traffic?

Lagos is below the sea level and there is naturally going to be element of flood. Communication is critical to enable people become aware of this fact. It is only when the media helps communicate it to the people rightly… Lagos is below the sea level. Fundamentally, flooding is Lagos is natural and nobody has control over it. This means that, Lagos is a terrain in which rain will fall at some point in the year. Rain will be heavy from May to October or November. Once it rains, there will be what is called flash flood. And this happens everywhere in the world. This flood is not meant to last beyond five hours. So, how do we ensure this flood won’t remain on the road for four, five days? That is what the people are going to leave with us to do. To solve this, we will look at various blockages within the manholes on the road. The blockages arise from our habit. The kind of refuse we generate and we do not dispose of very well. We drop waste indiscriminately in the canals and drainage. We have to change our attitude. We will be solving this problem with our environmental solution. I understand there is little challenge within Lagos Public Work Bureau. We need to fix that and if it requires them to work overnight to fix the potholes left on our roads, we will do it.

What strategy do you have to end the Apapa gridlock?

It is not out of place that Lagosians have been crying. And out of expectations, people have also mentioned that I have said I am going to solve the problem in 60 days. I haven’t made such statement as to the timeline to clear the gridlock and I need to challenge that. But, for people to give timeline, we must know that what doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done. These trucks need to move out. I can assure you that I will give all support required to ease this important axis of gridlock. Lagosians will see a permanent solution to this problem.

Can you share an insight into the nature of cabinet Lagosians should expect? How will you conduct the continuous agitation for special economic assistance  for Lagos from the Federal Government?

With the cooperation of the entire political leadership in my party, I should have a cabinet running, maximum, within the timeline that I have given to you. As to the quality of the cabinet, you need to know that Lagos does not lack intelligent and smart people. It is for us to be able to identify them. Some of my cabinet appointees could be full time technocrats, some could be quasi-politician and technocrats. The bottom line is that, we must put round pegs in a hole. Whoever will be working with Dr. Hamzat and I must share our vision. We must be on the same page from Day One. The moment an appointee is confirmed, he must see himself as a servant of entire Lagos and not for a clique or an area. Performance will be for the entire citizens of Lagos. Those are the basic things we should expect and we are not going to compromise on that. We have to have a shared vision and common purpose, so that we will wrap up our expectations of those portfolios to be filled up. Our appointees will undergo a crash programme for them to understand where we are going. The moment we all see the commonality of our purpose, it would be easier for us to drive a common agenda. I can assure you that Lagosians will be happy when we bring out the names of our appointees.

On special status for Lagos, my government will continue to push for it. I hope that the Speakership of the House of Representatives will be given to one of our representatives vying for the position. This may help us to realise this agenda. We are hoping that the federal lawmakers will see reasons, rather than politics, in the point of need to get a special status for a place all Nigerians call home.