By Rotimi Makinde
The oldest and simplest justification for being in government is to serve as a protector; protecting citizens and their properties from violence or destruction.
This essential provision will greatly help to engender public good, at a level necessary to ensure a globally competitive economy and a well-functioning society. That is the story of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu whose priority is not only to secure Lagos, but to keep its mega city status intact.
It is necessary for me to justify my sudden observation as a politician from another end of South West and of course with my scheduled training at ASCON Badagry provided me with opportunity to see security network at its best in Lagos State. The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for example and the manner at which its personnel in Lagos chased a mere pick pocket thief along Badagry axis using both the waterfront, powerful motorbike and fast driving vehicle and security equipment left me to wonder what awaits any security breacher in Lagos of today. No wonder Lagos was one of the selling points that ushered in APC as the ruling party in present day Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the reality is that I was saddened by the fact that so much is going on in Lagos state in terms of development and services to the ordinary people and yet we as Nigerians, and particularly as Yoruba people, have refused to acknowledge or admit it either for self-serving political motives or for other reasons which are best known to ourselves.
Instead of playing politics and indulging in the usual grandstanding that so many others have been doing in their states, Sanwo-Olu is one governor that is clearly rolling up his sleeves, working extremely hard for his people and looking within. It appears to me that he believes that the work itself and the purposeful establishment of an intimidating legacy of good governance and massive infrastructural development throughout the state will do the talking for him. And for his humble nature just like his mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he is absolutely on point for not blowing his trumpet.
Undoubtedly, Mr Governor with due respect is clearly basing his system of governance on the Danish model, which basically espouses the view that the state must be compassionate to the poorest and weakest in society and must provide the highest quality of amenities, including security (which I menationed in my opening paragraph), schools, hospitals, housing, transport systems and virtually everything else for them either free of charge or at minimal cost.
It is this philosophical and ideological position of compassion for the poor and weak and opportunities for the rich and powerful that has made Denmark, according to various international studies and reports, one of the happiest, most stable, most prosperous and most enviable places to live in the world. Over the years the Danes have managed to create a fine balance between the imperatives and great benefits of private enterprise and investment and the forces of the free market on the one hand and state intervention and governmental responsibility for the poor and less fortunate on the other. This is what Sanwo-Olu, wittingly or unwittingly, is actually doing in Lagos State.
His priority is purely to transform the face and fortunes of the people of the state and to ensure that he helps the poor and leaves a robust legacy of massive infrastructural development, decency and compassion.
Only on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, Governor Sanwo-Olu still commissioned the Onikan multi-level car park to tackle the perennial traffic jam in Lagos Island.
The multi-level car park and facility building consist of five car parking floors with a capacity for 384 vehicles with offices for tickets and restrooms on each floor.
According to the state, the 6th floor is designated as multi-purpose mixed-use consisting of a Club House (410sqm Capacity); two banquet rooms, with a sitting capacity of 800 and 600 persons each; Water treatment Plant, Elevators and staircases for smooth pedestrian movement, and Fire alarm systems, CCTV, data network and power.
From my research the building will service the renovated Onikan stadium and other primary social centres, such as Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, King George V Park, Police Command Recreational Centre as well as other facilities in the neighbourhood and fix parking requirements generated by these centres.
I am also deeply impressed about the collaboration of Mr Governor with all Federal security operatives in the State who are now wearing a new commitment to nip in the bud the incessant reports of traffic induced robbery on major roads in Lagos metropolis. Without sounding immodest, most well meaning Lagosians will agree with me that robbery attacks at people’s homes have significantly reduced and I encourage the people to support the government in fostering intelligent gathering, management and processing so that the state can be safer for all of us, be it residents, tourists, investors, visitors, etc.
Without contradiction, I sincerely intend to write more about this in the next few weeks so that the evidences of unannounced developments in Lagos can be replete with history. The bottom line is that if we can get the quality of leadership right in this country then there is certainly still hope for our people. I wish Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu best of luck in his political career.
Hon. Rotimi Makinde is a key member of SWAGA agenda 2023, he represented Ife Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in the 7th Assembly.