Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday commissioned a recreational park in Alausa, named after three former governors of the state – Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (retd) Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The park, now known as Johnson, Jakande, Tinubu Park (JJT Park) is sited opposite the Lagos State House of Assembly and sits on a land area of about 21,880sqm with facilities including two waterfalls, children’s playground and free Wi-Fi for use by residents.
Speaking at a ceremony to unveil the park, Governor Ambode said it was done in honour of the trio who had worked tirelessly for the emergence of Lagos as one of the most prominent City States in Africa.
Ambode said Johnson, Jakande and Tinubu made sterling contributions during their tenure in office, adding that such would remain indelible.
He said: “One of the hallmarks of any progressive society is to always recognise and reward the efforts of heroes who contribute to the growth of that society. In the case of Lagos State, we have so many heroes who toiled and laid a solid foundation for the Lagos we enjoy today.
“Today, we are here to celebrate and honour three past governors of our dear state who were outstanding in their contributions to the development of Lagos State. These eminent Lagosians are some of the very few brave men that stood to be counted on the side of justice and even by their performances while in office have written their name in gold for future generations.”
“The roles played by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (retd), the First Governor and Military Administrator of the state; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the First Civilian Governor of Lagos State; and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor and Architect of modern Lagos; can never be forgotten. They are the true legends of our state, and architects of the Lagos we are proud of today.”
He said Johnson laid the foundation as the pioneer governor of the newly created Lagos State in 1967 and constructed the 60.7 kilometre Lagos–Badagry Expressway linking Nigeria with countries in the West African sub region, the Itoikin Bridge linking Epe and Ikorodu; the Eko Bridge and a network of roads and bridges that opened up the new Lagos, while Alhaji Jakande, the first elected Civilian Governor of Lagos State, who held office for four years introduced masses-oriented programmes particularly in the education, housing and health sectors.
The governor added: “Apart from the successful implementation of the Free Education Programme, Jakande also established new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools, and also constructed over 30,000 housing units in indifferent parts of the state for the benefit of low income earners.
“His tenure also witnessed the completion of the General Hospitals in Gbagada and Ikorodu as well as the establishment of about 20 health centres within the state. Alhaji Lateef Jakande conceived and initiated the Metro line transit system that would have provided a solution to the challenge being experienced in the transportation sector today.”
He described Tinubu as the architect of modern Lagos, saying his tenure witnessed the development of a blueprint for future development of the state and which successive administrations have continued to build upon and actualize today.
“One of the remarkable achievements of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was the reform of the state tax administration system which resulted in the state attaining the status of the most viable and self-sustaining state in Nigeria. He also made huge investments in education and initiated new road constructions, required to meet the needs of the fast-growing population of the state.
“Asiwaju also established the institutional framework which ensured that the state was properly and efficiently run. It was under Asiwaju’s government that institutions like LIRS, LAMATA, LASTMA and many others came into existence,” Ambode said.
