As Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola, SAN, attains the golden age of 50, thoughts must naturally be directed at his legacy as an extra-ordinary and outstanding administrator of the Centre of Excellence and the future direction his march through politics should take.
The Fashola phenomenon is an incredible quantum leap away from the usual black African paternalistic orientation in governance in which the Head of Government is “the father of the nation”, the sole authority and sole owner of an impoverished, run down polity. In this familiar scenario, the ‘leader’ is above the law, is the owner of all state resources and dreaded oppressor of freedom and human rights; a contemporary ‘Papa Doc’ whose rule is buttressed by a phalanx of tonton macoute composed by misguided security agents, boot lickers and sycophants.
In sharp contrast to the above, whilst building on the legacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fashola has established a modern, enlightened democratic and civilized state and society in Lagos under the rule of law.
Quite rightly, emphasis and considerable attention have been devoted to the infrastructural and physical development, transformation, indeed revolution, Fashola and his predecessor have deployed in changing the face of Lagos State, and the standard of life enjoyed by its people.
All of us people of Lagos are beneficiaries of this physical transformation which has introduced, so to speak, ‘another life’, in Lagos.
The total reconstruction and upgrade of Lagos roads and bridges from deplorable to developed world standards, the B.R.T. project which has brought relief to commuters and improved sanity on Lagos roads, the world class infrastructure like the upcoming 10 lane Okokomaiko – Marina express way with its light rail component, the Ikoyi – Lekki cable bridge, first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, which gives users, the false impression that they are in a European country, the greening and beautification of Lagos, with the establishment of parks and gardens in former area boy infested locations, which has brought beauty, elegance, culture and advanced recreation centres to Lagos, the up coming Eko Atlantic City, which will become the most advanced business, residential and tourist centre in Africa – an audacious and breath-taking project dreamed of only in Europe, America and the middle East; the unprecedented security, peace and safety being enjoyed in Lagos State as a result of the governor’s Security Trust initiative; all establish Fashola as an outstanding figure who has stamped his thoughts, vision and dreams on the polity, on an epic scale.
This is all very remarkable indeed; but the real Fashola phenomenon is more than an intimidating deployment of life changing iron and steel mortar, concrete, bricks and macadam structures that have brought relief and comfort to Lagosians.
The essential Fashola phenomenon is better comprehended by a consideration of his style of governance, his orientation, his leadership psyche, his comportment and his world view.
Fashola operates on the basis of the supremacy of the rule of law, respect for civil and human rights and the vigorous pursuit of an enlightened and civilized code of governance. He is focused, resolute and unwavering in the implementation of his vision and plans for Lagos State.
His discourses, addresses and presentations at the frequent stake holders and town hall meetings, and at symposia colloquia, etc, held by him, reveal his crystal clear thought process, high intellectual capacity and the novelty and profundity of his ideas; all of which generate deep reflection, a sense of enquiry, introspection, warmth enthusiasm and positive motivation in his audience.
In contrast to the pedestrian and hackneyed effusions of many professional politicians, Fashola’s language and expressions are elevated, elegant, lucid and he is exceptionally articulate and coherent.
Therefore when his expressed thoughts are taken together with his style of delivery, one could be forgiven for comparing him favourably to the Prime Minister during question time in London.
The outstanding developments in the Ministry of Justice during the Tinubu/Osinbajo era have been carried forward and replenished by the current Fashola/Ipaye era. These twin administrations have seen the establishment of:
1. The office of the Public Defender, in which the state provides free legal advice and legal defence to poor and oppressed citizens, even when being prosecuted by the Lagos State Government itself.
2. Human Rights Protection Unit.
3. Multi-Door Court House for different types of alternative dispute resolutions.
4. Citizens mediation centre, offering free mediation in conflicts between Married couples, Landlords and tenants, etc, free of charge.
5. Consumer Rights and Protection Unit.
6. Protection and enforcement of child rights.
7. Reform in the criminal justice administration system.
The establishment of these programmes and institutions would have been remarkable in a developed country. In a third world, heart of black Africa state, it is phenomenal ascent of man in social and political development without precedent.
Complementing all the above, there is the justifiably lauded massive welfare programmes for judges and magistrates involving greatly enhanced salaries and allowances, provision of personal houses, cars, etc, which have boosted the confidence and independence of the judiciary.
In comportment, the governor is humble, simple, unobtrusive, polite and cultured and compassionate. His entourage moves through Lagos unnoticed and without fuss. He usually enters a hall in which he is being expected, before the seated guests notice.
The totality of the phenomena highlighted above, have made Lagos State, unique and in a sense, odd in the Nigerian milieu – a first world state in a third world country. The Tinubu/Fashola administrations have brought about a culture of civilization, enlightenment and civic intercourse that is far in advance of their counterparts in other states, particularly those outside the South West.
As I observed at an event in April 2013, what is most significant and fundamental about the Fashola phenomenon is not the physical aspect that we see and touch, but the unseen yet most profound aspect – his vision, commitment, focus, sacrifice, service to the people, transparency, integrity, honour and respect for the governed. These are the values that drive the man to a level of achievement which even the international community is beginning to notice and appreciate.
Fashola has been midwifing the emergence of a modern, democratic State, subject to the supremacy of the rule of law and operating under a civilized and enlightened political and social template in the last six years.
The question must therefore arise, whether this man who is completing his second term as governor in May 2015, is not now desperately needed at the centre to release this country from the destructive and primitive political forces operating there, and filling the vacuum with his values, thus leading us to a modern civilized, developed and enlightened country. A country in which a rich Nigeria will not be populated by poverty-stricken Nigerians and in which security, welfare, the rule of law, political and fiscal federalism and the pursuit of happiness for all Nigerians, will be paramount.
