By JAPHET ALAKAM

Lagos state, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria has become a reference point to other states because of the transformation that changed the face of the state. This can be attributed to the policies of the former governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who defied all odds to make sure that the state wears a new look. For a man, who many knew little about before his ascendency to the position of Lagos State governor, the task of changing Lagos was difficult, but he was bent on making a difference and  after 8 years in office, the testimonies are there, no wonder people now talk about the old and new Lagos.

For a man who do not believe in the usual self-glorification of public office holders while still serving, even as accolades have continued to pour in for former action governor. There is the need to set on permanent record of some of his achievements in book forms and this Mr. Hakeem Bello, his top media aid, having been on his side since he became the governor, first as Senior Special Assistant (media) and later as Special Assistant (media) came out with three books, In Bold Print, which captures Fashola’s thoughts,  a historical record chronicling his speeches and The Lagos Blow Down, co-authored with Dapo Adeniyi, of the first controlled demolition of a building in the country.

According to the author, “my purpose for bringing together a selection of Babatunde Raji Fashola’s speeches, delivered during his tenure is to document some of the reforms he has pursued and record some of his achievements as Governor of Lagos State. Fashola ranks, undoubtedly, among the most successful individuals to have held the governorship position in Lagos State and after he became Governor, he has made positive changes in the State. He is a reformer and his achievements are monumental.”

The Great Leap,a 289 page book published by CLRN publishing under Q books is a careful selection of some of the speeches delivered by the governor, revealing him as a highly organised, systematic and well-focused man. The book is divided into ten uneven parts. Filled with information that is beneficial to every citizen for the purpose of enlightenment, education or research,the speeches reflect his personal convictions and vision for the development of Lagos State and the people.  Areas covered in the speeches deal with existing challenges and the Lagos State’s proffered solutions from the state’s history and constitutional makeup, the imploding population, private sector involvement in governance, improved infrastructure, state police, economic status of Lagos State, education, health, security, housing, transportation, job creation and environment, among others.

It begins with an inspiring narrative of his humble beginnings and his venture into politics subtitled, “A Governor, his Story”. Here the author presents Fashola’s account of how he started after graduation from law school, the challenges and lessons to when he became the governor. Part two contains two speeches delivered on the days he was sworn in as Governor of Lagos State in 2007 and 2011, respectively. The first expounds on his promises for Lagos State, and after a successful first tenure, the second recollects his achievements and plans to create more impactful programmes in the State.

Part three, titled “Setting Agenda”, comprises speeches on reforms, where he touches on development issues in the State with stakeholders, while part four deals with implemented projects and programmes.

Part five contains a speech
titled “Dear Children of Lagos State”, which shows the commitment of the Governor to the holistic growth of children, while part six focused on gender, in memory of the former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Jadesola Akande, which propounds on the rights, equality and opportunities for both the male and female gender in politics, professions and society. Next is the mega city status of Lagos which contains speeches that reveal Fashola’s vision to transform the landscape of Lagos.

Part eight is sub-titled “Milestones.” The speeches here are selected samples from addresses given at landmark and/or dedicated events such as the second anniversary of his administration, an address to commemorate one thousand days in office and others.  In Part nine, his speech is focused on Culture, delivered during the Adamu Orisha festival in 2011, otherwise known as Eyo, Adamu Orisha, the prime festival of the people of Lagos State and the Governor reveals his commitment to the revitalization of the indigenous heritage of the people of the state.

The final part, part ten, is titled “View Point” contain some sample speeches containing the Governor’s views on national and socio-political issues. They include speech delivered at the public hearing on the amendment of the constitution organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly, his perspective on the concept of democracy  delivered during the fiftieth birthday of Timipriye Sylva, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, the governor address on the controversy that arose from the late Chinua Achebe’s memoir, There was a Country: a Personal History of Biafra.

As Fashola turns 52 today, Sunday, these books will go a long way in explaining the man and his politics, even at a limited level, while fans of his political orientation continues to wait for his biography or autobiography, and his next political move, which they hope will be outside the insidious political influence of Ahmed Tinubu, who many felt was overbearing all through Fashola’s two terms.