THE Lagos State government has assured the 5,436 volunteer teachers deployed in the state under the Federal Government’s N-Power job creation programme, that they would be well rewarded if they do well at the end of their two-year service.
Deputy Governor, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said the state had a way of monitoring and evaluating teachers’ performance, noting that they will also be entitled to awards and other perks like their counterparts, who are permanently on the government payroll.
Adebule , who spoke during a workshop organised by the state for the new teachers at the Blue Roof, Ikeja Lagos, recalled how some of them staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly in January, because of the delay in their deployment.
She said: “I recall that some of you protested because you thought we were not ready to deploy you. We were ready as government, but we must ensure proper things are put in place.
“We know you are not going to deal with papers, but human beings. We also know that majority of you are not trained teachers. Therefore, you should know what is expected of you; how you relate with your new assignment as well as the dos and don’ts of this profession,” she said.
According to her, the state has employed 2,300 teachers over the last two years to enhance teacher-pupil ratio. With the injection of additional 5,436 volunteer teachers, Adebule is optimistic that teachers’ shortfall would further be addressed.
“You all stand a chance of being rewarded if you are exemplary. In the same vein, the state will not hesitate to deal decisively with those of you who choose to be unruly, disobedient and lawless,” she warned.
For those who will find themselves in the rural areas of the state, Adebule urged them to put themselves in the shoes of pupils of such communities, adding that their services will be better appreciated there.
Government, she said, would deploy some of them to primary and junior secondary schools for their primary assignment. Nonetheless, Adebule warned that the deployment does not confer on them authority; rather it is for them to contribute their quota to the development of education in the state.
Earlier, the immediate past Director-General, Public Service Staff Development Centre, Mrs Olubunmi Fabanwo, described teaching as one of the oldest professions in the world.
Speaking on the topic: “My teacher; My role model”, Fabanwo recalled that prominent individuals such as Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammed, were once great teachers, whose works are still read till date.
She said teachers not only need to be knowledgeable, but must be able to impart same on learners.
Fabanwo identified integrity, respect, care, ability, and experience among others, as virtues teachers must imbibe to be on top of their game.
Going down memory lane, a Permanent Secretary in the state, Mrs Folashade Ogunnaike, said Lagos, which is celebrating her 50th anniversary, was established by the military government in 1967 and the word IBILE was coined to represent the five divisions (Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja Lagos Island, Epe) of the state.
The reason for her address, she said, was to acquaint the new teachers, many of who are visiting Lagos, of the state’s geography.
She implored them to show commitment, adding that those, who would be deployed in challenging terrains such as riverine communities, should not see it as suffering, but a determination to make such places better during their stay.
A lagos teacher, Oluremi Tanimola, has received two million naira for emerging the overall winner of the Inspirational School Leader of the year. Similarly, the duo of Ms. Odueke Abiodun and Mr Tolulope Odusanya pocketed one million and five hundred thousand naira for emerging overall best and first runner-up of the Inspirational Teacher of the year award respectively.
The three teachers, who were treated to a lavish reception at the Harbour Point, Lagos, venue of the event, received their cheques at the maiden Meadow Hall Foundation’s Inspirational Teacher of the year award.
Tanimola is from Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja Military Cantonment, Ikeja. Abiodun teaches at Station Junior Grammar School, Ifako Ijaiye, while Odunsanya is from Abibat Mogaji Millenium Senior Secondary School, Agege.
The annual event is merit- based and aimed at elevating the teaching profession, as well as motivating teachers and educationl leaders for excellence. The award is divided into two categories: The Inspirational School Leader of the Year award and The Inspirational Teacher of the Year award.
Tanimola, who addressed reporters at the event, attributed her success to being adventurous and a team player.
“I am a team player, self-motivated and always learning something new, coupled with my ICT knowledge, made the difference. The desires to learn and do things differently are secrets of my outstanding performance,” Tanimola said.
She advised her colleagues to always learn from others, be self-motivated, and ensure continuous personal development.
Head of Meadow Hall Foundation Mrs Kemi Adewoye, was full of praises for the recipients, who according to her, are working hard to improve children’s access to quality education amid difficult circumstances.
She said: “One of the inspirational educators, Mrs. Oluremi Tanimola, has been teaching for over 26 years. She is ICT-savvy and most importantly, has retained her passion for education. Ms. Odueke Abiodun has taken her passion for the total development of the Nigerian child beyond the four walls of her classroom to her community where she teaches secondary school drop-outs and neighbouring schools about values and character, and connects them to mentors and vocational trainers who help them acquire skills. Mr. Tolulope Odunsanya, one of our inspirational educators, was shaped by a mentor and is now inspiring other teachers to be passionate and innovative just like he is.”
She noted that the award was opened only to teachers and educators in Lagos State, adding that by 2018, the foundation will extend the opportunity nationwide.
The recipients, who were accompanied by colleagues, and well wishers, thanked the donor, colleagues, their school management and Lagos State government for giving them the opportunity to share their inspirational stories. Particularly, they thanked the foundation for its commitment, transparency and flawless selection process.
“Lots of people think rewards of teachers are in heaven only, but this foundation has rewarded us while on earth,” Odunsanya said.
Vice Chairman of the board of Meadow Hall Foundation Board, the corporate social responsibility arm of Meadow Hall Group, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, presented the cheques to the winners.
He admonished them to continue to strive for excellence and join Meadow Hall Foundation’s Ambassadorial team to advocate quality education at all levels.
Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who was also presented with the ‘Education Champion award in recognition of her immense contribution to quality education in the state. Adebule was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs. Yetunde Odejayi.
To also commemorate its 15th anniversary celebrations, Meadow Hall, presented long service awards to five of its workers, Mr. Taju Popoola; Mrs. Victoria Ikpe; Mrs. Akpan Mfon; Mrs. Delphine Nnakwe, and Ms Rita Ekpenyong, for exemplary loyalty to the school.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said 1,268 Nigerians had voluntarily returned from Libya from December 15, 2016 to May 16, 2017.
Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, the Director General, NEMA, made the disclosure while receiving a fresh batch of 258 Nigerians who arrived on Tuesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a chartered Libya Airlines Airbus A330-200 with registration number 5A-LAU at about 8:30pm.
They were received at the Hajj Camp area of the airport by officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Police.
Also on ground to receive them were officials of NEMA, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Maihaja, who was represented by Dr Onimode Bandele, the Deputy Director, Search and Rescue, said the fresh returnees came along with 20 children and infants.
He said the returnees were brought back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian Embassy in Libya.
According to him, another batch of Nigerians is expected back on May 25, and the exercise will continue as long as those stranded in Libya are willing to return home.
“Since December 2016, we have been able to bring back 1,268 Nigerians and the exercise will continue in collaboration with the IOM.
“The Federal Government is collaborating with the various state governments to rehabilitate and reintegrate the returnees,” he said.
Also speaking, Ms Julia Burpee, Public Information Officer, IOM, said the organisation had facilitated the return of over 7,000 Nigerians from various countries in the past 16 years.
She said the organisation would assist the returnees to get back on their feet and would provide assistance to others willing to leave the North African country.
No fewer than 3,000 residents of Ifako-Ijaiye Local government Area and Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), benefited from a three-day free health mission sponsored by the Lagos State Government, under the auspices of the Lagos Free Health Mission (FHM), which was rounded off at the Ifako Mini-stadium on Friday last week.
The new health initiative was launched by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in March. The initiative was aimed at promoting the well-being of Lagosians.
Inaugurating the three-day event earlier on Tuesday, the Sole Administrator of Ojokoro LCDA Dr Waliu Ipaye, said the free health mission has deepened access to free medical care to a large spectrum of the public who hitherto had continued to suffer in silence.
His LCDA is co-hosting the FHM, which is being spearheaded by the state’s Ministry of Health.
Ipaye said he and his colleague at Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Mr. Babatunde I.Q. Rajh-Label, would mobilise the people massively in order to ensure that majority of the indigent members of the public benefit from the exercise.
Welcoming the beneficiaries earlier, Rajh-Label appreciated Governor Ambode for on the initiative. He said the FHM has helped in improving the quality of health care and well-being of the people at the grassroots across the state at no cost.
The council chief said the FHM would provide medical solution to a wide range of health challenges which hamper people’s health. Such health challenges, he said, include diabetes, high blood pressure, blood sugar level test, dental and optical care, malaria and meningitis, arthritis, HIV/AIDS as well as trauma and depression, among others.
He said over 60,000 indigent members of the public, including women, children, teenagers, adults and the aged have so far benefitted from the initiative since it was launched in March.
Rajh-Label revealed that the FHM is assisting the government in collating statistics that could help in arriving at appropriate epidemiological mapping and programme planning, as part of efforts to move the state forward.
Also drawing attention to the existence of Primary Health Centres (PHC) across the state, Rajh-Label said members of the public should make good use of those units of health care which, according to him, the governor has equipped to provide free medical services to the people.
He said it was disheartening that Lagosians have continued to daily besiege all the state’s General Hospitals scattered across all the five divisions of the state, while these PHCs equipped with appropriate drugs are not patronised.
Deputy Director in the state’s Ministry of Health Dr. Rasheed stated that the state government, through the ministry, has, in the past three months, increased access to medicare for people of the various communities in all the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.
He said the Ministry of Health mobilised appropriate medical doctors, nurses, dentists, ophthalmologists and other medical personnel in all the council areas in order to provide free services in accordance with the mission and mandate of the governor.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Hon. Benjamin Adeyemi Olabinjo, commended the governor for the initiative which has further confirmed him (Ambode) as a governor who has good intentions for the people. He urged them to come out en masse to receive free medical treatment.
Dr Tolu Ajomale, the representative of the Project Director Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said it is gratifying that the downtrodden embraced the programme, adding that with such programme, the government is changing the face of the state as, he said, a healthy state would be a wealthy state.
He revealed that the programme would aid the government in developing a database of epidemiological trends in the state and this would help in arriving at decisions aimed at appropriately targeting programmes aimed at containing such health challenges of the people, as the team planned to go round the state to provide free medical services to the people.
Responding on behalf of the residents, the Baale of Karaole, near Oko-Oba in Abule-Egba area of the state, Chief Olayinka Dada George, praised the governor for the gesture. He said aggressive mobilisation would continue even after the programme for the people to always rally behind the governor and to continue to patronise the health care centres located within the local governments.
“We are happy with our governor for bringing the initiative closer to us at Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojokoro. With this, the governor has been able to show us he is committed to the well-being of the people. We too will continue to rally round him and support all the programmes aimed at making life more rewarding for the people.
Lagos State government disbursed N11.75 billion to retirees last year.
Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions Dr. Akintola Benson Oke said yesterday the amount was paid into the Retirement Saving Account (RSA) of 2,886 retirees.
He said 1,291 were from local governments and SUBEB; 697 from TEPO; 887 from mainstream service and 11 from parastatals.
Lagos’ target to create one million jobs in two years in achievable, participants at the maiden Alimosho Economic Summit agreed in Lagos yesterday, ROBERT EGBE, who was at the summit reports
Lagos State is on track to creating one million jobs by 2019, Executive Secretary Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) Akintunde Oyebode said yesterday.
According to him, boosting start-ups through the financing of small business which the LSETF has been undergoing will facilitate the creation of jobs. He also identified the need for stable electricity supply.
Oyebode stated this at the first Alimosho Economic Summit – a direct focus on Alimosho Local Government Area, the largest in Lagos and one of the largest in the country.
The summit was endorsed by The Nation and The Alimosho Mail. It had ‘Exploring real investment opportunities for economic and development rebirth’, as its theme
Oyebode, speaking on Alimosho city: “Real investment opportunities, positioning for rebirth”, said the government had set aside billions of naira to help Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) obtain finance to grow their businesses.
He said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s goal is to fund 100,000 businesses and create one million jobs by 2019.
Oyebode said 223 businesses in Alimosho Local Government had received N212 million cash from LSETF to fund their operations.
He said: “The plan is to empower and build the capacity of MSMEs and stimulate new startups, by increasing investment in high value sectors to create more job opportunities, in turn boosting the state’s competitiveness.
“The Lagos State government’s goal is to increase the available financing opportunities for MSMEs and encourage private and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to set up development and productive investment projects that will increase employment for Lagos residents.
“LSETF has supported 223 residents of Alimosho by financing 178 micro enterprises with the sum of N62m and 45 SMEs with over N150million. This is a testament to the governor’s vision, not just for Alimosho, but the entire state.”
Oyebode identified inadequate power supply and inaccessibility to finance as two major challenges of MSMEs and said the LSETF would back businesses to overcome them.
Alimosho, he noted, with a population of over four million, was like a mini country and with its vast land mass and peaceful society, could attract investments that will transform its economy.
The Nation Editorial Board Chairman, Mr. Sam Omatseye, said Alimosho’s status as the largest local government area in Lagos and one of most populated in the country made the summit a necessity.
“Alimosho is perhaps the largest local government area in the country. It is as big as Bayelsa State,” he noted.
Quoting, Ambode, Omatseye said that majority of the thousands of people who arrive in Lagos daily, choose Alimosho as their area of residence.
He said: “A majority of major businesses and their customers are here. I urge the summit participants to seek how Alimosho, as an economic hub, can be made vibrant and self-sustaining that other local governments can emulate.”
The summit, which featured several panelists and three plenary sessions, considered topics including: “Community infrastructure and security: Strategies, hopes and gains” and SMEs in agribusinesses, transport and local content: Way forward for communities”.
A panelist, Andrew Idowu, said Alimosho had been chosen by a firm as the first recipient in Lagos of an embedded power project that would provide steady and affordable power supply to residents and businesses.
Sole Administrator of the Alimosho Council, Gani Quadri, who said he wanted the summit to be a yearly event, thanked the governor for his support.
“Governor Ambode is a gift to Alimosho. We have benefitted immensely from his government”, he said.
Dangote Group, Bank of Industry (BoI), Stanbic IBTC, crescent Allure International and Accion Microfinance Bank were some of the strategic partners of the summit.
Alimosho Mail Publisher Lazarus said Alimosho was long overdue for the summit because of its political relevance in the State of Aqua Splendour.
According to Lazarus, if unlocked and properly harnessed, the opportunities created by the summit could assist Lagos in reaching its N1 trillion budget target.
He said: “Alimosho has always delivered politically. I felt it was time to attract not only political capital, but also economic capital.
“The summit was also inspired by personal experiences. I found out that many people don’t know much about Alimosho.
They meet you on the streets and ask you where Alimosho is, despite its proximity to the international airport. So, we felt we should invite the participants to come see Alimosho for themselves.”
He promised to make the summit an annual event, even as he assured that the lessons from this year’s event would be used to host a better summit next year.
“We’ll take investors to our communities to visit the MSMEs. Alimosho has over 200 MSMEs. If they are properly harnessed, Lagos State’s target of N1 trillion will not be difficult to reach”, Lazarus added.
Lagos State Government on Monday said that it paid a total of N1, 846, 396, 965.80 as pension from May 31, 2016 to April 30, 2017.
The state Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Dr Akintola Benson-Oke, made the disclosure at the 2017 Ministerial Press Briefing to mark Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s two years in office.
The event held at Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Benson-Oke, the population of pensioners in the state’s main stream public service as at February was 8,512.
He said that the Mr Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration was determined to ensure that pensioners were paid their entitlements as and when due.
”In the last one year, the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has been ensuring effective regulation, supervision and administration of pension matters in the state’s public service.
”We have recorded continued significant reduction in backlog of entitlements of retired employees.
”The Lagos State Government through LASPEC has paid a total sum of N1, 846, 396, 965.80 as pension from May 31, 2016 to April 30, 2017.
”This administration has been able to maintain the trend of paying entitlements of retired employees monthly since August 2015, ” he said.
Benson-Oke said that the state government made provisions in its 2017 Budget for the ministry to carry out 78 training programmes for civil servants before the end of the year.
According to him, the training will deepen civil servants’ knowledge of public service ethos and values as well as develop their leadership and management skills.
As Lagos celebrates 50, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, 84, former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing and a true-blood Lagosian goes down memory lane with Gboyega Alaka on events that led to the creation of the state. He also spoke of the Nigeria of yesteryears, where ethnicity and religiousity had no place, and Zik, an Igbo, was elected by a largely Yoruba-speaking people to represent them.
You are a Nigerian and a true-blood Lagosian; what’s your reaction to those who say Lagos is no-man’s land?
There is no no-man’s land. There are always some people who are original settlers. In the case of Lagos, it’s a misnomer to say Lagos is a no-man’s land. It’s rubbish. Absolute rubbish! Lagos was peopled by the Aworis and Awori land spread from Badagry through to Ota. They settled mostly in Ikeja, a division of Lagos. The Idejo chiefs, the white cap chiefs, who are the land owning chiefs, are basically Aworis and some of them are now Obas. I’m talking about the Oniru, The Olumegbon, Aromire, Oluwa, Ojora, Oloto and a couple others. After them, waves of immigrants, from today’s Niger State, started trooping in. I’m talking of the Tapas, the Nupes. I have Nupe blood. My father’s mother was a daughter of a Nupe man, Umoru from Idunsagbe in Lagos Island. Mind you, I’m talking of my great, great, grand-father; so you can imagine how long we’re talking about and how far our history dates back in Lagos. The Oshodi family of Lagos were originally Tapa. My wife is an Oshodi; Oyekan Oshodi. The Chief Imam of Lagos and all his great grand fathers were Tapa, owing to their vast knowledge in the Quran. Now, you would not say they are not original Lagosians because we’re talking of a history that dates back well over three hundred years.
Later we had another batch of immi grants over a period of time – those who had been taken into slavery in the North and South America and the West Indies but who had been freed following the abolition of slave trade about 170 years ago. Some of them also came in from Freetown, Sierra Leone. That’s where we have the Saro, Eko connection. They settled in the Olowogbowo area.
Then we had the Binis from Benin (present Edo State). They invaded Lagos and settled in the best part of what we now call Isale-Eko. Oba Ado and all successive kings of Lagos are of Benin. You won’t say they are not Lagosians because we are talking of hundreds of years ago.
So you can see that it is the latter day immigrants, who are full of the nonsense that Lagos is a no-man’s land.
What about the Brazilian connection?
Yes, I was coming there. The Brazilian Quarters were made up of another set of returnees: the Agustos, the Dasilva, Marinho, Pereira and their descendants, who returned from Brazil and other parts of South America. So when you talk of indigenes of Lagos. These are the people who arrived Lagos Island and environment over two hundred years ago. So there is no controversy over the indigenes of Lagos. It is complete ignorance.
You are saying that even the first Oba met some people in Lagos…
The Binis took over the reign of Lagos by conquest. The Aworis were there before them. They were the original settlers. Iga Idunganran itself was a gift to Oba Ado by Oloye Aromire, a white cap chief. He owned the land that the palace occupies till today. That is why till today, we have sections of Isale-Eko with Bini connections. When you hear of Idumota, Idunsagbe, Idunmaigbo, Idun-tafa; the word idun had bini origin. And then we had some chiefs who came with King Ado. That is another wide area. But suffice to say that Obanikoro, was a medicine chief who came with King Ado; so is Ashogbon. In Bini, it is Asogbon. There is also Bajulaye, who originally was Bazuaye. So the Bini connection is very deep. As a matter of fact, the corpses of all the obas, from King Ado through to Oba Adele I, who died at about 1834, were all taken to Benin for burial.
You were one of those who fought for a state status for Lagos about fifty years ago; what spurred you?
Let’s start from the beginning. Britain had three colonies in what is now present day Nigeria; not two as has been mistaken over time. The first was the Colony of Lagos, which spread from Epe, Ikeja, Awori land, Agege. When Britain colonised Lagos in 1861, it established its government, first in Freetown and later in Accra. Lagos colony was part of the West African Settlement, as the British called it. At about 1888, Lagos colony came under direct rule from London. In 1900, Britain then acquired two other colonies, Northern Nigeria on 1st January 1900. Britain then proclaimed the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria; making it three colonies. Those born in the then Lagos Colony, whether Epe, Bad or Lagos Island or Mainland, were full-blooded British citizens, with British passport and all the rights of a Briton. However, those who were born in Northern and Southern Protectorates were British protected persons, not full blooded British citizens. I’m making this distinction to show the distinctiveness of Lagos. When people talk of Lagos being part of former Western Nigeria, it is false, it is distortion of history. The present Lagos State was the British Colony of 1861. When in 1922, Sir Hugh Clifford established the first constitution; it was only for the Southern Protectorate and the Colony of Lagos. The North was still being administered by a separate organisation. In 1945, Sir Arthur Richards, who succeeded Bernard Bourdillon established a constitution in 1947 and created the three regions: Northern region, comprising the old Northern Protectorate, with its large size, almost doubling the size of the rest of Nigeria; the Southern protectorate was divided into two: the Western Region, Eastern Region; with River Niger as the divider. But Lagos remained as Lagos colony, with a commissioner as chief executive. Sir John Macpherson became governor of Nigeria in 1948; he convened the Ibadan conference in 1950, which led to the Macpherson Constitution in 1950. It was in 1950 that Lagos Colony, comprising Lagos Division, Ikeja Division, Epe Division, Badagry Division, as it had always been, was merged with the Western Region.
In 1952, the City of Lagos, comprising Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa, Surulere, which was largely farmlands, up to Yaba was made the Federal Capital territory. The orthopaedic Hospital was the boundary, and that was the Lagos Queen Elizabeth met when she assumed the throne in 1952. The rest of Lagos, namely Badagry Division, Ikeja Division and Epe Division were left in the Western Nigeria and named the Colony Division of the Western Nigeria. Ikorodu by the way was part of Ikeja Division.
Did you have to clamour for General Gowon to create Lagos as a state?
Gowon actually had very little of the agitation for a Lagos State. The agitation for statehood for Lagos started around 1950, when Lagos was taken out of its exalted position as a political unit and merged with the Western Region. That led to the slogan, Gedegbe L’Eko wa (meaning Lagos Stands on its own, don’t merge us). Gowon at that time had not even got admission into Barewa College. However, after the two coups of 1966, Nigeria was asunder. The various regions wanted to go their separate ways. The Eastern Region, led by Ojukwu, said it was definitely pulling out. He declared a Republic of Biafra in May 1967; but on that same day, 27 May 1967, Gowon abolished the regional set-up and proclaimed 12 states of Nigeria. Lagos became one of the states and the Colony Province which had been ceded to Western Nigeria was merged with the Federal Territory and Lagos was thus returned to its original state.
In fact the people of Lagos, as far back as 1914, didn’t want the Lugard amalgamation of that year, which brought it together with the two protectorates. Lagos had enjoyed British judicial system for almost a century; the people had enjoyed direct trading with the British and the rest of the world, trading in slave trade, ivory, ogogoro, even before it formally became a colony. Lugard forced his will on the people and the records are there in the newspapers published at that time.
Let me give you another historical aspect to this whole story. Lord Lugard wanted two divisions of Nigeria apart from the Lagos colony, but one official, Mr temple –Temple Road Ikoyi was named after him, who was next in rank advocated the division of Nigeria into six. He suggested three in the north, three in the south. So when people talk of six geo-political zones, there is nothing new about it (See Map). He suggested Western Province, Central Province, Eastern Province, Benue Provinces, Hausa States and Chad Territories. If Temple’s idea had held sway, Nigeria would have been a different country entirely because each would have developed at its own pace.
Let’s talk about the prominent people in the clamour for a Lagos State.
The leading lights included H M Alli Balogun, a lawyer, Mrs Latifa Makanjuola, Mr Kasali Aremu, the eldest child of the Ajiroba of Lagos, Karimu Kotun, a distinguished lawyer. There was also Adelumo Akintoye, one of the sons of Oba Ibikunle Akintoye, and TOS Benson, who had just arrived from England. These were people who championed the cause before my time. Incidentally, I took interest in the whole affair and used to watch the proceedings of the Legislative Council at Marina between 1947 and ’48. That council consisted of five nominated members each from the three regions and three elected members from Lagos. Election was by property franchise, and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Zik, was elected not by Igbo-speaking Nigerians, but by largely Yoruba-speaking people. The other two were Prince Adeleke Adedoyin, whose father was the Akarigbo of Sagamu and Ibiyinka Olorunibe, the only son of the soil, who became the Mayor of Lagos. The emphasis I want to draw here is the uniqueness and metropolitan nature of Lagos even as far back. Zik was the darling of the people despite not being Yoruba, and we used to call him Arisiki iwe (wealth of education). Lagos of that time was devoid of any kind of ethnicity and religious differences. It was Lagos for all. Nigeria will never ever be a great country except we step down the ethnic differences and leave religion as a matter of the heart.
Lest I forget, Oba Adele II also backed up the allegation for Lagos State by the letter he wrote to the colonial government around 1956. I have a copy which was sent to me by the present Oba.
Tell us about your contribution as a member of the Federal Executive Council
After the first coup in January, the various military governors, looking for peace, encouraged what was then called Leaders of Thought meetings. There was one for the elders and another for young persons like me. The foundation of Nigeria had been badly shaken by the two coups and Gowon, who became head of states in 1966 quickly organised a constitutional conference of people to sit down and map out a new Nigeria. The conference consisted of five delegates from each region and five advisers from each region. Lagos Federal territory had two delegates and two advisers. The Elders Conference in Lagos nominated Prof Teslim Elias, who was at that time not only a member of the Federal Executive but also Dean of the Faculty of Law, UNILAG; and also Chief Bajulaiye, Eletu Odibo. Alhaji Jakande and I were in the youth section. Dr Elias and Alhaji Jakande were delegates and Chief Eletu Odibo and I from the youth sections as advisers. We met from August till about December, deliberating on the kind of Nigeria we wanted following the military coups. The Eastern delegation didn’t want to compromise. Best, they wanted a confederation; separate army, separate currencies, separate foreign affairs, separate customs. The North also stood by a confederation, led by Sir Kashimu Ibrahim, who was governor of the Northern Region before the coup. Chief Awolowo, who had just been released by Gowon, was leader of the delegation from the West. I think the East had Prof Eni Njoku and the Mid-West was led by Anthony Enahoro and Lagos was headed by Prof Elias. Through the influence of Lateef Jakande, Lagos was tucked into Western delegation and we found ourselves with the West. Chief Awolowo also advocated a confederation. Only Enahoro advocated a federation. Chief Tayo Apata, my late friend and Prof Billy Doudley of the University of Ibadan were extra advisers to Mid-Western delegation and incidentally personal friends of mine. The three of us all from Lagos combined and the two of them from the Mid-West delegation put pressure on Tony Enahoro to stand for the federal system of government. Western delegation and Lagos submitted a joint memorandum. As concession to me, because I was a thorn in the flesh of combined West and Lagos, they conceded two pages to me in their paper, for federal system of government. I was part of the drafting committee. Lateef Jakande was for confederation, which was the demand of Chief Awolowo.
The North broke the ice at the ad-hoc constitutional conference and Sir Kashim Ibrahim; their leader announced that they were going back to federation. Remember, the northern delegation consisted of likes and unlikes. Aminu Kano wouldn’t stand for anything less; Joseph Tarka wouldn’t stand for anything less. Dr Elias then stood up to announce a breakaway from the West to announce that Lagos was for federation. Chief Awolowo, in fairness to him, also said he had always been a federalist. But the East was adamant on confederation. This was in 1966. All along, some of us from Lagos were meeting. We had been working on what it meant to be a state. Did we have the wherewithal and sufficient income to sustain a state? Recently in an interview, I mentioned some non-Lagosians, who made it possible for Lagos State to be a reality but who are not being given any credit. They were public servants. This is aside Gowon, whose role has not been acknowledged. Broad Street, which one government renamed to honour him, was reverted. We rejected the hand that fed us.
Well, you are a respected voice and in a position to correct that.
Well I hope my voice is respected. And that’s why I’m saying this publicly. One of those non-indigenes of Lagos is Philip Chiedo Asiodu. He is a personal friend of mine and a contemporary at King’s College, whose wife incidentally was Mrs Pereira, a Lagos girl and my aburo. He was one of those fighting for us inside the government. Then there was Allison Ayida, who became Secretary to the government of Murtala and Obasanjo. He used his influence as chief adviser to Gowon to help realise the dream of a Lagos State. Without them, there would be no Lagos state. They helped to persuade Gowon to have a twelve state Nigeria and break the northern region into six. Thus Lagos colony, which had enjoyed separate administration from any other region or part of the country since 1861, aside the 1950-54 adventure into the Western Region, became a state and Mobolaji Johnson became the governor. Before then, he was administrator.
Alhaji Femi Okunnu
What role did you play as the federal commissioner for works and housing?
My role was to assist the governor in moulding his government, especially the civil service, with the assistance of two of my big brothers in the Western Regional Service at that time: the late Shamsi Thomas, who became head of civil service in Lagos and A B Johston, popularly called Abba J. They were top civil servants in Ibadan; and would travel from Ibadan to my house in Yaba. That’s where we built the civil service of Lagos state. On the creation of Lagos State, FC Opoka, the Municipal Treasurer became his Perm Sec, Finance. Shamsi Thomas went straight to Works and Planning. Gowon allowed each governor to have seven commissioners/ministries. Anyway, I played a part in getting experienced civil servants in the Western Regional Service and elsewhere to return home. I was federal commissioner at the time and helped Bolaji to administer his ministries. All the functions of Lagos affairs under Yar’adua’s father as Minister for Lagos affairs, such as Water Works, Planning etc. I handled them all from May 1967 to March 31st 1968, when states were allowed to appoint their commissioners. And let me say this very clearly: throughout Bolaji’s tenure as governor, we worked together very closely; Bolaji as governor of Lagos state; I as Federal commissioner for works and housing. I’m saying this because there is no friendship or harmony between the current governor and the Federal Minister of Works and Housing; and I really hope that they would henceforth join forces to work in the interest of Nigeria and Lagos. That is my message to them.
Lagos State government has tackled infrastructural challenges in 35 rural communities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, who addressed reporters in Alausa, said “these communities are facing difficulties in the areas of good roads, health facilities, schools, flooding control, among others.
He said the government received complaints from the communities requesting intervention, adding that they were assisted with the needed infrastructure.
The special adviser said the government extended financial succour to individuals with challenges, particularly in health, accommodation, education, multiple birth and unforeseen incidents, such as fire outbreak and road accidents.
Joseph said N163, 258,980 was approved by the governor for disbursement to 1,477 indigent residents to help them.
He urged Lagosians to change their apathy towards participating in elections, saying their participation in the forthcoming local government poll will influence the outcome because they have the power, through their individual votes, to determine the eventual winners across the state.
Harping on public protests despite the existence of Civic Engagement Office, Joseph lamented that many of the protests were being staged due to lack of understanding of the channels of engagement with the government.
He said: “Some protests are unnecessary as the issues involved can easily be resolved by establishing a communication line with the concerned authority
There was renewal of commitment at the weekend from the Lagos State Government to the implementation of more friendly policies for businesses to thrive.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made the renewal after striking a deal with social clubs on a strategic partnership in building a dream smart city for all.
It was at the Lagos @ 50 Event – Celebrating Social Clubs – staged at the Island Club on Lagos Island. The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello.
He said the desire to forge such partnership informed why social clubs enjoy a pride of place in the Centre of Excellence.
According to the governor, the state will remain steadfast in making Lagos work for all through the formulation of people-oriented policies.
He said social clubs should be viewed beyond their philanthropic gestures and as tools for socialisation but seen as veritable channels meant for the protection, promotion and popularisation of government programmes to deepen the state’s economy.
Ambode told his audience that Lagos, despite being the smallest in size, remains the most prosperous in the country and the fifth largest economy in Africa.
The governor stated that the occasion was organised in recognition and appreciation of the contributions of social clubs to the success recorded by the state in its first 50 years.
He said the government had a reason to celebrate the state’s achievements, adding that it would have been difficult to attain such without the sacrifice and commitment of individuals and organisations, including social clubs.
Ambode said: “Seated amongst us here today are great men and women, who have rendered selfless services in public and private capacities to move Lagos State forward.
“Some had supported previous administrations with great and lofty ideas that assisted in developing solutions to our challenges in different sectors.”
The governor urged members of social clubs not to lose focus on the future by reflecting on the height they envisage for the state in the next 50 years.
He expressed his appreciation for the immense support the administration enjoyed in the last two years.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Island Club, Mr. Banji Oladapo, commended the giant strides made by Lagos in the last 50 years.
He praised the governor for the infrastructural transformation of the state.
The President of Eko Club, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, lauded the Ambode-led administration for the remarkable progress witnessed in the state in the last two years.
Fanimokun said the projects implemented had demonstrated the government’s commitment to the interest and well-being of Lagosians.
Bello presented a plaque in appreciation of Island Club’s supportive role to the government.
Finance Commissioner Akinyemi Ashade and prominent leaders of the club, including All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Prince Rabiu Oluwa, were among the dignitaries at the event.
