When former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola handed over to current governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, many questioned the possibility of sustained growth in the Centre of Excellence.
Their concerns were valid. The Nigerian political system, known for its drama and intrigues, has not been linked to innovation often, continuity and a dedication to tangible development. Yet, the Ambode administration changed that by meeting its own objectives and constantly redefining excellence.
With over 20 million people, Nigeria’s commercial and industrial capital, Lagos, has never been applauded for its planning or infrastructural development. However, Governor Ambode – described as aggressively modern by the Nigerian media – has taken that perception of Lagos and is moulding it into a garden of possibilities.
With focus on infrastructural development, his administration has built schools, hospitals, roads, pedestrian bridges and flyovers and with more projects on the horizon; one can only wonder how much Lagos can change for the better.
However, infrastructural development is not the singular goal of this administration. With its multifaceted approach to development, there have also been projects and government-level actions aimed at boosting Lagos State’s economic growth and evolution.
In an unprecedented move, Governor Ambode recently gave a N500 million grant to 275 Community Development Associations (CDAs) in a bid to aid the completion of their self-help projects. These projects, which range from the building of health centres, to the setting up of transformers, community halls and drainages, will not only complement the administration’s efforts, but also give these communities a hand in their own development and growth. Ambode’s version of “teach a man how to fish”.
The current administration has also shown remarkable innovation and creativity in its ever-growing list of ways to boost the state’s economy. Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye revealed that in the last three years, cooperatives’ investment had risen to N152 billion.
The feat is remarkable for two reasons: the boost it brings to the economy and the governor’s wisdom in earmarking a source of investment that was largely untapped.
Governor Ambode’s unique outlook on development and his relentless focus on growth and the evolution of Lagos are all linked to his pre-governorship years. Ambode was a part of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s team between 1999 and 2007 and if one digs deep enough, one discovers that this insistence on excellence and quality leadership is nothing new.
As the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Accountant General of Lagos, Ambode created the State Treasury Office (STO) and walked Lagos out of paper-based systems into the modern electronic systems.
In 2013, the Nigerian financial publication, Business Day reported that Lagos made up 40% of Nigeria’s non-oil GDP and 20% of Nigeria’s total GDP; an achievement the state earned during Ambode’s time at the STO. The last three years have been good for Lagos; the state has flourished.
Governor Ambode has a clear vision and is determined on its accomplishment. And because of this, each day, more Lagosians realise that with Ambode at the helm of affairs, their beloved home is becoming a pot of gold for their own good.
Moses Obaro writes in from Alagbado
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