Nothing affirms that a government is working better than when the masses who have no political interest say “it’s a great moment for us”.
Truly, a working system is one that runs with ‘development’ as its PR. I guess that is called ‘working without making noise’. No doubt, administration of a state that accommodates roughly 26 million people is no small business. Obviously, the economic, socio-political and environmental challenges far outweigh system performance, except the manager is a genius such as Akinwunmi Ambode.
When tax payers’ money is working, the people are happy. Most importantly, the deployment of creative governance is sure indication that the governor is a global brand manager. I came across a woman who got so emotional and I quote her verbatim: “If two years of Akinwunmi Ambode has ushered in development this much, I wonder how Lagos State will look like at the end of his tenure; and if we have him manage Lagos for a stretch of eight years, I think Lagos will compete favourably with modern cities around the world; and if not for constitutional matter, I feel that we need Ambode as a manager till he gets tired.”
Modern and high-tech cities’ managers around the world are able to manage their cities successfully due to the presence of age-long existing institutional stability. Managing a mega city like Lagos in the developing country is a double task, compared to the management of Tokyo in Japan or Bangkok in Thailand. Governor Ambode is not only well-schooled in modern-city management, he is a ‘restless machine’ and something like a ‘bad system solution software’.
A commissioner once described Ambode as a ‘ghost’. He said if you were in a management meeting or consultation with Governor Ambode till 3am and you go to have some rest for the day’s job, you will be surprised when your phone rings at 6am and it is the governor calling you to see him at 8am for a briefing.
“You get there only to meet a man looking so radiant behind executive chair, and you begin to wonder if he was the same man you departed with three hours ago after all-night meeting; he stays awake and full of energy, he speaks and looks into your eyes like a robot.
Looking at Lagos development plan of Governor Ambode, one cannot but be awestruck on the knowledge of the governor about hi-tech and modern cities around the world
“He is super intelligent and remembers all details even after one year. If you are lazy or unintelligent, you cannot survive his standard,” he said.
Needless to start mentioning the feat of this administration under the able leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; the achievements are uncommon and evidence-based. No surprise, someone said at a commissioning that Ojodu Berger should rather be called ‘Ojodu-Ambode.’ If you ask why, take a visit to Berger, go en-route Abule-Egba before a trip to Victoria Island and Ajah via Oshodi/Oworoshoki axis; developments are obvious as you drive around the city.
The newly commissioned road in Epe is a magnificent and unusual achievement for this administration. Since governance is an all-round thing, every sector has been touched impressively. The monumental beautification that has engulfed strategic locations across the state is evidently of 21st century, modern-city management acumen.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the father of a modern Lagos. The innovations and modernisation achieved during Asiwaju’s administration propelled Lagos into its megacity status and since then, that legacy of uncommon achievements in governance has remained evergreen and a model for successive administration in the state.
Evidently, the story of a 21st century compliant Lagos cannot be complete without recourse to this enigma who doubles as father of a modern democracy in Nigeria today.
With exceptional management system, Lagos helped Nigeria survive during recession and is still a major factor that helped the nation out of the economic downturn. Statistics put Lagos at the edge of 60% of the total Nigeria’s economy. What a land of opportunity!
Looking at Lagos development plan of Governor Ambode, one cannot but be awe-struck on the knowledge of the governor about hi-tech and modern cities around the world.
The level of infrastructural growth seen in Lagos in just two years is amazing. The human face of this government as it concerns the indigent is unequalled, whereas the micro-economic development through the Employment Trust Fund is surely a smart way to secure the state’s economy in centuries to come.
The elegance of the current administration is evident in the grandeur that greets the celebration of Lagos at 50. What we see in the Lagos at 50 celebration is no less what is obtainable in the most cosmopolitan and modern cities of the world like Paris, Berlin, London or New York, to mention a few. It is a celebration that brings every Lagosian to feel the state and its opulence in a joyous moment necessary for this period.
Lagos in the year 2025 has long been projected to be among the 15 fastest growing cities in the world. But with the current pace of development, I see Lagos in year 2023 achieving this feat under able leadership of our amiable governor, no doubt. Recently, it is difficult to believe that some pictures were actually taken in Lagos. A friend who lives in Europe was in doubt as to the originality of a photo of Ojota after the completion of that magnificent pedestrian bridge until he visited home to see by himself. With gradual return of night life, Lagos is wearing the colour of an ideal modern city.
The light-up-Lagos is bringing back the old Lagos that used to be beautiful and peaceful in the night; a city well secured and that which offered 24 hours city life and splendour. The Lekki Free Trade Zone project which is in its fastest mode will sure impel Lagos to double its economic returns from tourism and international business exchange.
The tradition of peaceful coexistence amongst the arms of government has engendered rapid growth of Nigeria’s first mega-city and fastest growing economy in the entire Africa – Lagos.
The Lagos State House of Assembly is a symbol of legislative excellence and ideal lawmaking hallowed chamber. Undoubtedly, the Assembly has legislated upon vital laws that have enhanced the state’s economy, security, environment, infrastructural development, human capital development, inter-state cooperation, global investments and justice.
The laws establishing neighbourhood corpse, anti-kidnapping law, anti-land grabbing law, security trust fund law, environmental protection law and several others, are part of development indices of successive administrations in Lagos State. Timely passage of annual budget and intensive oversight functions by the legislature and its various committees have become reference point among other legislative houses across the country and of course, a model in Africa.
As we celebrate our dear Lagos at 50, it is our joy to see Lagos become pride of place for all. For sure, Lagos is blessed and we are all blessed with its opulence.
Olulade is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency II
