LOOKING FORWARD TO LAGOS AT 50

As the anniversary of Lagos’ golden jubilee draws nearer, reminiscence over the state’s socio-political and economic development from inception till date is quite natural. In particular, efforts of the various pathfinders who worked to ensure that Lagos remains a true ‘Centre of Excellence’ is worth bringing into focus. Lagos, though in existence prior to 1967, became a state on May 27, 1967 when Nigeria was divided into 12 states under General Yakubu Gowon. In the past 50 years, Lagos has passed through varied social-economic and political phases and obviously a proper golden jubilee should serve as one that ushers in golden opportunities to showcase Lagos achievements and huge potential.

That Lagos State holds a unique place in the socio-economic setting of the country is never in doubt. It has the largest economy, and attracts the most tourists. The state was the most important host of the nationalists’ struggles and many of the fight for social justice in the country, and full of edifices that was put in place to immortalise Nigeria’s heroes.

Without reservation, one could look back to the time Lagos was grappling with challenges of being a federal capital to how it is now coping with the status of a mega city and appreciate the level of progress that has been attained since the state came into being.

Prior to the Nigeria’s Second Republic, Lagos State was ruled by four military administrators with the first and longest serving being Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson who was the governor from May, 1967 to July, 1975.

The first three years of Johnson’s administration was the period Nigeria fought a bloody civil war resulting into massive wave of migration to Lagos. On the positive side, it is interesting to narrate that it was during the civil war that massive post-civil war development that changed the skyline of Lagos, especially the Lagos Marina, began. The wave of migration coupled with rapid industrial growth, thanks to the oil boom of the 1970s, led to the enlargement of build-up areas through government and private initiatives.

Mobolaji Johnson has on his score sheet construction of the 60.7 kilometre international express road (Lagos- Badagry Expressway) that link Nigeria with the neighbouring countries of Benin, Ghana and Togo. His administration was also responsible for the construction of Eko Bridge and several networks of roads and bridges in the state and likewise the evolution of Lagos State civil service.

On the negative side, before Alhaji Lateef Jakande came on board when Nigeria returned to civil rule in 1979, the state had gradually become a city with reverse development with population putting heavy pressure on its delicate infrastructure. So much pressure was on the state infrastructure that schools were being run on three shift system. Thus came to an end, the era of old Lagos where kids could play “hide and seek’’ without the fear of being knocked down by vehicles. ‘Eko for show’ had given way to ‘Eko gbole, o gbole’ (Lagos takes anything).

However, all this was to really change during the Second Republic with the coming of the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande which was very effective and creative in the implementation of the cardinal policies of his party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). He introduced housing and educational programmes targeting the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free primary and secondary education. He established the Lagos State University (LASU) and constructed over 30,000 housing units. He also started a metro line project to facilitate mass transit. The project was halted when his tenure as governor ended with the Buhari-Idiagbon military coup of December 31, 1983.

From the period of military misrule until the enigmatic pathfinder of modern Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed came on board in 1999; Lagos had become Nigeria’s nemesis. Soon after he took over, Tinubu stamped both his vision and authority on the state, positively changing the face and reputation of Lagos. He broke away from development stereo types and against all odds, in spite of detractions and an acrimonious political climate, he was able to initiate and implement policies, programmes and projects that had enduring legacies..

With Tinubu’s exit came the eight years of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola(SAN) administration, during which the state moved from one level of advancement to another till the acclaimed ‘Actualiser’ handed over to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on May 29, 2015.

Today, the doggedness and passion of Ambode for advancing the progress of Lagos has endeared him to diverse people. His passion for Lagos’s advancement is reflected in his agenda to turn the metropolis into 24-hour economy. Rasak Musbau, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos