It was an interesting, hilarious and intriguing time out with Babatunde Raji Fashola, outgoing governor of Lagos State, as the body of permanent secretaries and civil servants had left their day-to-day administrative, compilation and research duties to celebrate the indelible footprints the governor had made during his time in office.
The hall was decorated to suit the calibre of people that will be present for the occasion that evening, as the guest, though majestically seated, eagerly anticipated the presence of the governor, for whom they had made the occasion.
While awaiting the governor, his deputy, Victoria Adejoke Orelope went from seat to seat, exchanging pleasantries and praying with each of the guest present, while the guest reciprocated with faces full of smiles and reassuring messages of love and how they will miss the present administration.
With music and instruments to suit the occasion, the arrival of the governor was welcomed with a standing ovation, after which the national anthem was sung.
Fashola, who was astonished by the ceremony, said the event had almost overwhelmed him but emphasised that it was uncomfortable for everyone gathered to celebrate just him, while those to be celebrated were actually everyone that had joined him to make the achievements in Lagos State a reality.
According to him, “my sense of this occasion is that we are gathered to celebrate ourselves, from the executive governor to the most junior, we have all worked together. As a team leader, I will accept the responsibility of the things we did well as well as the things we didn’t do well. This is an honour done to the entire public service of Lagos and the All Progressives Congress (APC), because we worked with the manifesto and infused it to the rules and procedures of the public service.”
APC has demonstrated that government can work, live and transform in this part of the world, the governor said, showing the nobility of public service and its great calling, adding that as the people transform and progress, there will be changes in the processes and rules of engagements.
While thanking the public servants, Fashola drew their attention to the fact that the burden now was to ensure it was sustained and to do this, the induction and orientation for new entrance into the pubic service were something to be taken very serious.
“Civil servants should be trained on the ethics, codes and principles of public service. We are building and rebranding our printing corporation, thereby ensuring security of documentation,” he said.
While speaking on the health sector, the governor mentioned that 13 people died from the deadly Ebola disease, which was eventually contained the same period 40 people died of cholera that had vaccination.
As a result, he advised that those who lead the medical work to be prepared to respond to new epidemic challenges.
Buttressing on some of the reasons behind his success in office, the governor said he can never underestimate his wife’s contribution, as she had always supported and encouraged him, adding that after work, home for him had always been a place he was always enthusiastic to go to.
While concluding his speech, he said “everyone in this country, some parts of Africa and West Africa wants to be like us and many wants to overcome us. How close they are allowed to come is a matter of our own choice.”
Yomi Fawehinmi, a professor from Pan-African University, spoke on Babatunde Raji Fashola’s indelible footprints. While explaining the contributions of the governor in office, he did this in a hilarious way, keeping the audience laughing, yet educating the people on who the governor really was and what he stood for.
He disclosed that during the first election, he did not vote for Fashola but during the second election, he voted for him, campaigning for him with his resources, adding that the governor made him change his mind as a result of his passion, delivery and dedicated service.
Turning to the governor, Fawehinmi said: “You showed us the impact of education and being a leader. You showed us that you did not only go to school but you are educated. You have showed respect, pure heart towards others, truth, sincerity, bravery and hard work.
“It was not knowledge that cleaned up Oshodi road but imagination, and you showed that imagination. You read, studied and led the people. You took infrastructure to another level; giving us enduring infrastructures, not stomach infrastructures. You showed leadership and commitment to change Lagos.”
He further commended the efforts of the governor in engaging in partnership to eliminate the deadly Ebola in the country, as Lagosians today cannot talk about Ebola without talking about Fashola.
He commended the wife of the governor, Abimbola Fashola, who had so far spoken and acted well, standing in as a great wife, a great complement, gift, support and benefit to the governor.
He however advised the governor to beware of offers and assignments, ensure he took his wife for a holiday for one month just to rest, write books of his experience while in office and set up a think-tank – an institution of people who will think the way forward.
He ended his discussion by acknowledging that the governor had indeed made golden marks in the sand of time and posterity will reward him in time to come.
According to Olufemi Adesoji, chairman of retired secretaries to the state government and head of state, said: “We express our appreciation for governance per excellence. This administration showed that the civil service is an honourable group to belong to. The governor developed on what he met and added up to them, yet breaking new grounds.”
After acknowledging the works of the governor and his deputy, Adesoji presented awards and gifts to both the governor and his deputy.
Fashola, who appreciated the gifts and acknowledge those who had put the ceremony together, showed his excitement as he danced along with the civil servants as the occasion came to an end.
IFEOMA OKEKE
