TODAY, Lagos as a State in the entity called Nigeria is 50! Hurray!! To God Almighty be the glory!!! Despite surging and surfing through currents of constraints and challenges, the State has not only survived, candidly, the Centre of Excellence, Lagos, is yet growing stronger in all facets of development. In this regard, the story of Lagos rising from a tiny fishing colony to aspiring model megacity cannot be complete without mentioning the leaders that had mounted the saddle over these eventful years. Lagos has his own share of leadership selection, succession and struggles both during the military and civilian regimes spanning her 50 years chequered history as a State with Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson emerging as the first Military Governor in May 1967. Presently, as Lagos is today, it is a city-state that is already a megacity (as the population is more than 10 million).
Unknown to many, there is a Lagos State Development (LSDP) with the overarching objective of making Lagos a model megacity that is safe, secured, productive and functional by the year 2025. Worthy to mention within the context and content of this write-up, is the progressive era of three Governors that has lifted the lid off maintenance and managing the status quo approach to leadership. If one agrees with the popular leadership practitioner, John Maxwell, that “leadership is influence”, and also that “everything rises or falls on leadership”, the initiator of that progressive period of transformation in Lagos is none other than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who held sway from 1999 to 2007. Kudos should be given to a foresighted strategic planner and thinker in Asiwaju who could be likened to an architect cognitively concerned with conceiving a master plan or blue print of the Lagos of his heart. Succinctly stated, the strategic planner and thinker, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu laid the foundation of what can be referred to as the modern Lagos (just like Lee Kuan Yew did in Singapore).
Asiwaju is also adept in financial engineering lifting the bar in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to higher heights than many could imagine! He is a man with uncommon vision and passion with a flair for commerce and mastery of the grassroots politics. His adroitness in handling grassroots politics with myriads of acolytes and adherents has made him stand out among contemporary politicians of his time, nationally and internationally. Next in line was Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, anointed by Tinubu to the chagrin of many top party leaders. He mounted the saddle, from 2007 to 2015, and commenced building on the foundation laid by Tinubu.
He went further to exemplifying and amplifying servant leadership values and virtues. BRF, as was referred to by his admirers, having been part and parcel of the Tinubu administration especially as Chief of Staff, learned a lot as a mentee or protégé of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Once sworn in as Governor, he hit the ground running by strengthening and sustaining institutions and programmes already initiated by his mentor. He forayed also into certain areas of governance that endeared the heart of Lagosians to him. In the saddle presently in Lagos, Governor Akinwunmi Adedapo Ambode, a man with uncommon passion for development laced with adept and adroit financial engineering, ushered in the slogan: “Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, Lo Je Wa Logun!” meaning we are committed to the progressive development of Lagos State. Ambode, after the last general election of April 2015 that sharply polarized the State on tribal line and lane, for the first time in her 50 years of chequered existence, mounted the saddle rolling up his sleeves (remember one of his numerous campaign visual expressions) in practical demonstration of government of inclusion with his vision of “One Lagos”.
Succinctly and saliently stated, Lagos has evolved over years of prudent and pragmatic planning starting with Asiwaju Tinubu to become the richest State in Nigeria. Going forward within the context and context of this piece, there is the need to look at the term, innovative leadership.
Innovative leaders manage the process of innovation. In certain instances, the onus lies on the leader to initiate new ideas needed to engender the organization prospering, while in others, the innovative leader champions the way in fostering and recognizing followers who brings new ideas to the table (Source: online.stu.edu). Watching as a scholar, researcher and insider in government, Ambode’s approach could cognitively and candidly be referred to as innovative in colour, content and context. Innovative Strides of Ambode in Lagos: Construction of 114 Roads Project The 114 Roads Project apparently the first joint State-Local Government collaboration yielding delivery of 2 roads per Local Government Area. This initiative really connected the dots of rural, semi-urban to urban road network State-wide. In the course of monitoring and evaluating, it was observed that many people at the grassroots have been engaged, empowered and economically better off.
In one of such monitoring inspections that I led, I and my team was told of how a landed property after completing the road project in that Local Government was sold for more than four times the value before the commencement of the 114 roads project. Lagos Light Up Project This is another first of the Ambode administration.
This was State-wide spanning Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Agege, Ojodu-Berger, Alimosho, Ojo, Badagary, Somolu, Mushin, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and to nooks and crannies of Lagos such that visibility at night is enhanced. According to an empirically based evaluation conducted by the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, the innovative project has enhanced positively socio-economic activities as more jobs are indirectly created as people work more hours than hitherto. In addition, crime rate has been reduced in the State. There is no fear of sustainability as the administration has appointed facility managers, sector by sector State-wide, to see to the day to day functioning of the project.
Rent to own mortgage scheme Having identified a short fall of 2.5 million housing deficits in Lagos, the government of Lagos State innovatively crafted a scheme referred to as “Rent-To-Own”. According to a research that the author of this piece conducted in 2010, one of the areas Lagosians did not feel the impact of the erstwhile government in power was in the area of housing. The Ambode administration decided to take the bull by the horns. The Rent-to-own policy targets both the low and medium income earners as individuals are required to pay 5 per cent of the value of the housing unit as commitment fee and the balance is spread over 10 years.
Thus, the tenant lives in the property while paying monthly after which he becomes the owner of the property at the expiration of 10 years. This is unique nationally and internationally. General and food security initiatives It is the Governor’s opinion that with a safer Lagos, the economy will be boosted with attraction of more local and foreign investment resulting in employment generation with more taxes accruing to the State over time.
This is both visionary and innovative in leadership approach. The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) established during Asiwaju Tinubu’s era, strengthened with the establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, a public private partnership initiative during the Fashola’s tenure, and both institutions are now sustained by the Ambode’s administration. The present government fortified the RRS with brand new modern security equipment and vehicles worth a whopping sum of Four Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Five Million Naira (N4.765bn) during a recession of the economy at the national level! This is commendable.
The government at Alausa knowing the link between food security and general security initiated a collaborative programme towards ensuring self sufficiency in food production. This collaborative effort between Lagos and Kebbi produced the “Lake Rice”. The brand name “Lake” is innovatively crafted from an amalgamation of the first two letters of Lagos and Kebbi. Kudos should be given to both Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu. It is instructive to note that that at the unveiling in December 2016, the price of the commodity was further reviewed downward from N13,000 to N12,000 to allow more citizens to benefit from this initiative. Seemingly, for the very first time, the Presidency was elated with this uncommon collaboration lauding both Governors while President Muhammadu Buhari appealed for more joint scheme among States.
Massive Infrastructural Renewal… It is heart warming that within the last 50 Days, many landmark projects were commissioned in the Centre of Excellence. There are litany of projects some already completed while many others on-going at frenetic speed. Ambode has silenced many critics of former administrations in Lagos cynically denigrating their achievement in infrastructural development with a jaundiced opinion of concentrating core development along the upscale Ikoyi-Victoria Island-Lekki corridor while jettisoning other areas of the State. Notable among these projects are:
The Transformation of Ojodu-Berger (a major gateway to Lagos), Jubilee Overhead Bridge at Abule-Egba, Ajah Overheard Bridge, Admiralty Way, Lekki, Freedom Road, Lekki, Upgarding of Strategic Arterial/Inner Roads in Epe (Epe-Itoikin Road, Epe-Mojoda to Ijebu Ode Road) to the Ogun State Border, Epe Marina Project, Aboru Link Bridge plus Aboru Extension of Network of Roads in Alimosho, Omotayo Banwo/Kola Iyaomolere/Adetunji Adegbite Street, Agboyi-Ketu (opening up Ogudu to Ketu-Alapere to Mile 12). In addition, Massive Intervention in provision of Traffic Infrastructure such as slip roads, lay bys, pedestrian bridges spanning Oworosonsoki, Ojota, Alapere, Ogudu, Ojodu-Berger, and Signalization of Lekki-Epe Roads at points where there existed roundabouts to aid flow of traffic thus reducing travel time, etc. Ambode with the speed and strength of horse has penetrated everywhere in the State with massive infrastructural renewal projects. It is relevant to state that even virulent opposition voices are applauding the present administration in this area.
It is on a good note that Chief Bode George, a chieftain of the opposition party, was appraising and applauding the giant strides of the Ambode administration. In his own words as reported in major newspapers on 14th February 2017, he saliently stated inter alia: “I have never met this young man, but I must say that I am impressed with his performance so far especially in the area of infrastructural developments”. Educate Lagos: Another initiative of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration which offer free text books for students in both primary and secondary schools in Lagos State. In addition, there is unfettered access to 1,600 videos on numerous subjects, 2,000 study aids in key subjects areas, vocational training videos, online courses on coding, Yoruba historical videos, etc. Included in the package, is the Digital Library which enhances speedy development in education and social sectors. Free Wifi @ Parks The Governor flagged off the Free Wi-Fi Services at Lagos State owned Parks.
This was flagged off at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa Ikeja. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. This is part of the smart city initiative of the present administration. It is a step towards building a global and competitive economy in which Lagos will be hub of business and economic activities. Going forward, this initiative in partnership with MainOne Cables, will be replicated in virtually all major parks in the State so as to enable and empower Lagosians freely express their opinions via the new citizen gate portal. Lagos up to date with pensions and salaries Despite the economic crunch and constraints in Nigeria, it is gladdening to note that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode does not owe pensions and salaries.
The government deserves a pat on the back for this gracious gesture bearing in mind the competing needs vis-s-vis dwindling revenues at all levels of government in a time like this. It is remarkable that the government of Akinwunmi Ambode pays civil servants regularly by 22nd or 23rd of every month since inception. Increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): despite the economic glut nationwide, the IGR under the watch of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who is not only a chartered accountant but a financial engineer has increased. It is pertinent to state succinctly that as an insider in government that a lot of water passed under the bridge before this feat could be achieved. There were myriads of meetings and consultations where a lot of ingenuity, ideas and innovations were injected resulting in the figures coming out at the end of the day.
Member of the 100 Resilient Cities: Lagos was recently admitted into the 100 Resilient Cities. This is another first of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration. What makes a city resilient? Simply and squarely stated, it is the elasticity to manage change in the midst of unforeseen circumstances. Lagos was adjudged to be admitted into the 100 Resilient Cities according to the President of the 100 Resilient Cities, Mr Michael Berkowitz, “Lagos was chosen among over 1000 other applications for its innovative leadership, infrastructural strides and influential status, not just in Africa but in the world”. This is one attestation of the Innovative Leadership style of Ambode in the Centre of Excellence.
Conclusion There are many perspectives, depending on individuals, about what Lagos is to them. Having read many people’s stories relating to how they perceive Lagos, I am fascinated by the succinct and salient way the award winning Nation’s newspaper and famed journalist, Sam Omatseye depicted it: “But it was a city where I first found my tongue and feet. Where I kicked my first ball, wrote my first sentence and ran to safety … during the civil war… made my first friend, loosed my tongue into its first song…etc. (Sam Omatseye, The Nation: 08th May 2017). To the author, it was a city where I had the vantage opportunity, one of the magnanimity of Lagos, after concluding my PhD (Management by Research) in Malaysia, to making my vision vividly expressed having spent 7 years sojourning and savouring governance in South East nations of Singapore and Malaysia. It is a dream coming to pass. Thank you Lagos for the space, support and succour. •Dr Ekundayo, J. M. O, Director, Monitoring & Evaluation Department, Ministry of Economic Planning & Budget, Lagos State can be reached through his email: HYPERLINK “mailto:drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com” drjmoekundayo@ hotmail.com
