By Bose Adelaja

Lagos has been variously described as ‘no man’s land’, ‘mini-Nigeria’ or the ‘commercial nerve centre’ of the country. Many pundits, however, believe that these descriptions are immaterial; what matters is the spirit behind the name and how residents of the city relate with one another. Created on May 27, 1967, Lagos which prides itself as the “Centre of Excellence and economic capital of Nigeria”, is home to millions of Nigerians from all the ethnic nationalities.

Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele (middle), with students of Government College, Epe, Ketu which won the Spirit of Lagos Schools Challenge

Many people who reside outside the city believe that your bread is already baked once you come to Lagos. This may be the reason for the daily influx of people from neighbouring countries and other parts of Nigeria into the city. The uncontrolled influx of people led to a plethora of social vices being perpetrated on a daily basis by hoodlums and miscreants. Instead of being the centre of excellence, Lagos acquired the notoriety as the centre of filth.

In a bid to bring attitudinal change that will usher in sanity into the system, the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, introduced the Kick against Indiscipline, KAI; the Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and several environment related task forces.

Aligning with the government’s efforts to restore sanity into the polity, a group which goes by the name Spirit of Lagos, decided to introduce a reward system to honour those who help to make Lagos a more liveable place. The group’s Project Director, Mr. Olaniyi Omotoso said his body is campaigning for attitudinal change to restore, share and protect positive values, while encouraging good behaviours among residents of the city.

The group which is barely two years old organised the first ever Citizens Day Awards on Wednesday May 27, 2015. The day which is designated as Children’s Day , was specially chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the creation of Lagos State.

The award ceremony was designed in partnership with the state government to acknowledge Lagos citizens who excelled in different fields of human endeavour. They (awards) came in different categories, ranging from business/corporate award, public service, individual\community and school challenge.

Among the awardees was Mr. Ganiyu Isaiah Aliu who worked in the Health and Safety division of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA. Aliu was said to have contributed significantly to the drastic reduction in health hazards and accidents recorded by those who work on the highways.

In the same vein, Elepete Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Ikorodu which voluntarily generates power for its community, was rewarded for this gesture which was made possible through the purchase of transformers and 50 spans of high and low-tension cables. The LCDA is also actively engaged in the repair and maintenance of its local roads.

Other awardees were Mr. Bolajoko Fadipe who takes care of the monthly meals of over 3,000 Lagosians and Christiana Ebun who provides scholarship and organises free career seminars to youths in Bariga and Shomolu.

Government Junior and Senior Colleges, Ketu\Epe emerged the winner of the 2015 Schools’ Challenges for instituting a project to develop a positive attitude to communal (government) property. The project aims at minimising losses arising from damaged school furniture, thereby saving money for the school.

The Chairman, Spirit of Lagos Project Committee, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said the awardees were nominated by Lagosians, vetted by a panel of judges and returned to the public who decided on the final nominees.

Also speaking at the event, former Governor Fashola who used the opportunity to unveil the ’Wall of Fame’ declared May, 27 ‘Lagos Day’ . According to him, the day will be incorporated into the Children’s Day activities but will not be observed as a work-free day. He stated that a society that fails to recognise exemplary people will find it difficult to produce heroes. “I hope my successor will find this worthy to continue and build upon,” he requested.

The former governor also proposed what he called “Governor’s award” for people like Miss Josephine Agwu, an airport cleaner who found $28,000 and other foreign currencies totaling about N12m and returned them to the owner and founder of Hearts of Gold Orphanage, Mrs Adedoyin Adelaja.