Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday sought for forgiveness from those he might have offended during his eight-year tenure.
Fashola made the request at a programme to commemorate his 2,900 days in office.
The Fashola-led administration, since inception, has always reviewed its activities every 100 days.
The 29th edition, held at the Blue Roof LTV8 Ikeja, is the last, as the administration will end its tenure on May 29.
The governor said he was called upon to take decisions in the morning, afternoon and sometimes late in the night and he took those decisions based on the information available to him.
He said his decisions were always made in the best interest of the state, though some people might have felt hurt in the process.
Fashola urged those who might have been offended to forgive him since he is human and liable to make mistakes.
The governor said he had promised Lagosians during his inauguration in 2007 that he would revolutionise critical sectors, such as health, education, infrastructure, agriculture and transportation.
“I cannot pretend and say that I have done it all but I am here to tell you that my successor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, will build on the legacies that we are leaving behind.
“I made a contract with Lagosians eight years ago. The summary of the contract was contained in my inaugural speech on May 29, 2007 and I crave your indulgence to repeat what I said on that day.
“ I said `fellow citizens, in seeking to meet your aspirations within the shortest possible time, my administration would pay attention to the core areas of education, public transportation, infrastructural development, job creation, healthcare, crime fighting and the environment’.
“That was the promise I made. Ladies and gentlemen, my task as your governor is almost done.
“In the next 21days, our governor-elect will take over from where I stopped as I would have reached my destination,” he said.
Reeling out some of the achievements of his administration, Fashola said his administration had built 362 new roads within the period.
He said his administration had built Okota Link Bridge, Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge and other bridges within the period to ease traffic in the affected areas.
The governor said government had employed 20,000 people into the civil service.
Fashola said the government had installed 28,456 street signs to enhance easy navigation.
According to him, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has revolutionised public transportation.
Fashola said the creation of over 196 parks and gardens has also beautified the environment.
He said the massive investment in schools had raised standards and improved the pass rate.
The governor said new health institutions have reduced mortality rate.
Fashola thanked residents for making his development agenda a reality through their understanding and compliance with laws.
He appealed to lecturers of the Lagos State University (LASU) to sheathe their sword.
The governor said the continued closure of the school was as a result of the desperate moves by some lecturers, who are in a hurry to become vice-chancellor.
Fashola said it has become a practice among LASU lecturers to always foment trouble anytime a VC’s tenure is coming to an end.
Fashola said it is not the prerogative of lecturers to say when to remove the VC.
“That is not their prerogative. Their prerogative is to teach,” he said.
The governor also lamented the continuous gridlock in Apapa axis, saying it is a sad story of our nation.
“ I apologise for the inconveniences that the residents of Apapa go through daily due to the traffic caused by the tankers who come to that axis to lift fuel.
“If you can avoid going to that axis, please do so. I urge you to listen to Traffic Radio and get an update as you plan your journey.”
In his remark, Oba Akiolu, who spoke in Yoruba, thanked the governor and his team for “performing excellently”.
He said: “On the day Asiwaju Bola Tinubu handed over to Fashola, the Chief Imam of Lagos prayed for him.
“He prayed that God would not take away his honour and respect. He prayed that Tinubu will never suffer.
“He said Fashola, who took over from him, would not mislead the people.
“We are happy today because Fashola and his commissioners have made us proud.”
The monarch affirmmed that he is not into partisan politics but a politician of Iga Iduganrano.
“I am not afraid of any person or anything. I can only fear God. I am not afraid of death, but I will not die now.
“When there was controversy between Tinubu and Fashola, all the nation’s elders and monarchs called on me to intervene.
“They said I served the Police Force for 32 years and could not settle a dispute between my sons.
“In your party, there are people, who are agents of conflict. Such agents would go to my elder son and advise him against making peace with my younger son.
“The same people would go to my younger son and instigate him against my elder son.
“But God will never be put to shame. So, I called the two of them separately. I told them they have to listen to me and that if they refused, I will hands off but to God be the glory, they listened to me.
“I am happy today. Babatunde the Lord will continue to be with you.
“Ambode will soon take over. We should pray for him. I have told him not to seek revenge.
“I told him not to resume office with a vengeful heart. He should forget the past and move on. Among the people here, there are people, who never wanted Ambode to emerge governor. Most of you are sycophants.
“But I told them Ambode was my candidate. All Lagos residents should pray that Tinubu’s labours will not be in vain.
“A lot of things have been happening now. Some people have been telling Buhari all sorts of things.
“Awujale and I have decided to meet Buhari because Lagos and the Southwest states must benefit from the Buhari administration.
“People, who are telling Buhari all sorts of things, are sycophants. They don’t want Buhari to emerge winner in the election. These people know themselves.
“When push comes to shove, I will name them. I am not afraid of any human being.”
Former governors- Lateef Jakande and Sir Mobolaji Johnson- were some prominent people who attended the programme.
